Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Identification, Testing & Assessment science testing

Any suggestions for standardized tests to measure science level? I see lots of references to MAP testing, but is that just math? WJ measures reading/math. Explore has a science test, but it's not that specific. The ACT science doesn't really cover chemistry or physics or biology.

For a student at high school level for science, what would be objective supporting evidence of grade level and curriculum mastered?

Thanks for any help.

Hi Kaibab.

When my DS was 8 years old, his school was contemplating a subject acceleration in Science. They gave him the Woodcock-Johnson Achievement test for just Math and Science subtests. I haven't seen any other reference to a Science subtest on the Woodcock-Johnson, though. Here is what my report says:

"On the Woodcock-Johnson Revised, DS earned the following:
Science, Standard Score (SS)= 174, 99.9%, Gr. Eq.=16.9

They decided to bump him up three grades in Science. Hope that helps, and good luck.

In 3rd grade they can do Science Map testing. It is 2 different parts- science concepts and science knowledge. These are the tests that helped me realize that ds is way more advanced in science than I realized. I wish our school did the subject acceleration- if yours does good luck!!

The SAT subject tests for high school courses and the Advanced Placement exams for college courses.

Thanks -- I didn't know there was a WJ for science. Are these optional on the WJ achievement tests? My DD has had WJ achievement and had no science tests? I'll have to investigate, but I really appreciate the info.

I think this helps for older students, but I'm looking for something less than AP or SAT level that demonstrates pre-AP level science that demonstrates readiness for AP.

That's the level SAT subject tests are at. A high school student taking AP biology, chemistry or physics has usually taken a prior course in these subjects, taught at the level of the SAT subject test in the subject.

It may not make sense for a pre-high-school student to actually take SAT subject tests (unlike the SAT reasoning test, which is used by talent searches), but since books with practice tests by the College Board and tutoring companies are inexpensively available, the SAT subject tests can be used informally to assess readiness.

You might try this link:

Dumont Willis Woodcock Johnson III

Down in Section 19, it lists the following:


Another website shows that Test 4 on the WJ III Achievement test has the following:


Test Review: The Mini-Battery of Achievement

DS's school psychologist may have just pulled the science part of this out.