I've only read the last two replies here, but I did want to chime in that the science test on the Explore is probably one of the more g loaded subtests on the test, especially for younger kids, in that it isn't testing science knowledge so much as logic and reasoning ability. It is, therefore, less dependent on the child having exposure and less subject to prep as the pp mentions for the CR part of the SAT.
Both of my girls did well on the science test of the Explore through talent search as well; actually I think that they got the same score on that subtest in 4th grade -- the one grade in which they both took it. One of mine is heavily into science and the other one not so much so, but she apparently has good enough ability in the areas it is testing none the less.
We are no longer participating in talent search, though for a variety of reasons. Dd13 is in high school now and, although you can participate in 9th, I'm not sure that those scores wouldn't show up on a more "permanent" record once you're in high school. Dd11 isn't interested and we were part of that group who went through the difficult experience a year or so back when it turned out the talent search agencies were administering questionnaires to our kids about motivation, self perceptions regarding ability, etc. before the Explore w/out telling the parents. I was not totally happy with the way that went even though the practice was discontinued after it came to public light.
