I agree it depends on the kid.
This is what information I can offer you -
DD9 took the MAP test for reading and math toward the end of 1st grade. A lot of schools use this computer-based test just to see academically where students are at and if they are making progress from the 1st semester to the 2nd semester. Our school doesn't use the MAP test until 2nd grade but they offered to let DD take the test since we needed some answers about why she was acting out in class. She took the test on 2 different days in a one on one situation with the school counselor or principal. The tests showed she was comprehending well above her grade level and that helped answer some of our questions and made us have even more questions.
Since that first time 2 years ago, she has taken the same test 3 more times - 1st and 2nd semester of 2nd grade and 1st semester this year (3rd grade). Each of these times it was taken in a group setting. She still did really well, just not as well as everyone expected, considering her scores the first time she took it. I think this was partly because of the group setting. I also think part of the difference in her scores was that she had already seen the test and it was no longer new and interesting to her. I think she probably does do better one on one. She is the kind of kid that needs to absorb everything in a room and everything going on in a room, so she is easily distracted. She also isn't one to try really hard at something she doesn't have much interest in.
OTOH - I've realized over the years that even though sometimes we doubt just how smart she is; when it comes to testing she always scores high because she is that smart and you can't change that no matter what the testing situation is.
