Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Identification, Testing & Assessment So I finally got a date for reassessment

…and wondering what I need to do to prepare my DS11, if anything. I know to make sure he gets a good night sleep, eats properly etc., and the test is on a Monday (which is hopefully a good thing since he's had a weekend to unwind) but the first time he was tested privately, he had a lot of anxiety even though I was seated right next to him. All I had told him at that time was that the test was to help us figure out how he learned best, but that it wouldn't affect anything at this time, but might come into play when he went to middle/high school. The second time was a couple of weeks later and it was a group test through the school and I was worried about him getting nervous about it and didn't tell him about it… and that time he didn't do well on the test - but that may reflect on the type of test not being a good fit for him and not his state of mind. Since both tests, he has been treated for his second e and is doing much better.

Is there anything else I can do to prepare him for the reassessment? I know he will be tested individually with a comprehensive test which is what he needs. Please note I am not asking about prepping him because a) that's not what I want- I want an accurate score and b) that's cheating anyway. I'm asking about what should I tell him about it? I don't want him to be nervous, but it is important that he does as well as he can because we won't get another chance after this. I did tell him a few days ago that the school would be giving him another test similar to the one the private tester gave him and I didn't want him to be surprised about that. If he doesn't test HG this time I don't want him to think badly of himself, he is the same kid, but I also want him to take it seriously. Then again maybe I'm nervous so I'm overthinking this whole thing… my inner control freak can't stand the wait! PS I do know I should not seem nervous about the test in front of him.

Just so we can better help you, what type of assessment is he taking? IQ, achievement, etc...

IQ testing for placement in Highly Gifted program. Back in 3rd grade, he tested Highly Gifted (GAI) but with slow processing privately, then a couple of weeks later tested NOT gifted in group test for school district that does not take outside testing. Discovered 2nd e and treated it as much as possible. Our appeal was accepted, and school district are retesting him in about a week and a half.

So I know that you are NOT asking how to prep your child (so ignore that part of this link), but I think that this advice about explaining the test to your child is sound:

http://www.hoagiesgifted.org/test_prep.htm

Obviously, you know to make sure that he gets a good nights rest and eats a good breakfast...

Wishing him the best!

I was going to post that same link, Loy58! Thanks for saving me the trouble of digging it up again.

I usually tell my students something like this: that the test is to help them (and their teachers) understand them better--how they learn, how their minds work, other factors that affect how they learn. To do that, I will ask them to do a variety of activities, including items that are easier for them, and ones that are harder for them, because we want to get as good a picture as possible of their whole range. I say that I will probably find strengths and weaknesses, because everyone has strengths and weaknesses, and there's nothing wrong with that. All I ask is that they do their best, so that our testing reflects them accurately.

Thank you all- this helps. I will be glad to (hopefully) have a more accurate picture of whether our interventions have helped him on paper. I know that he is happier in general, even if he doesn't have a lot of friends right now. Putting him in Science Olympiad was probably the best thing I could have done for him, really helped build his confidence. And knowing his ability at this point will help me figure out what middle school would be the best fit for next year.