Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Identification, Testing & Assessment Which test is the best?

I need to have my son's IQ tested for extra back up for acceleration at school. I only have one financial shot. So which one is best for a mathy kid- WIAT, WISC, or SB?

I think that SB favors 'PRI' and WISC favors 'VCI' from what I have read online.

I have heard what MIUK said too, but anecdotally, people I know had higher WISC scores. WIAT is an achievement test. Woodcock Johnson has a cognitive (IQ) and achievement that can be given together or separately.

Thanks, guys! So the WIAT doesn't provide an IQ number? I want a test to provide an accurate picture, and I was thinking an assessment might be better. However, my son is already getting an assessment from his English and maths tutor; although this is probably just a report on his abilities as yet, not his potential. Ugh, so confused. I am also having trouble finding a psychologist who performs the SB. Thanks for your help

WIAT is an achievement test, no IQ number, but could also be useful info.

WIAT is an achievement, WISC is IQ...a lot of testers will do both at the same time. DD had both administered a few months ago and it was really helpful.

Squishys are you in Australia or am I remembering wrong?

Can you check what the local preferred test is? In New Zealand the gifted association use the WJ111 cognitive so that seems most common. It doesn't seem to be used much is the US but the printout I got mentioned Australia and NZ.

I would guess the preference is for the WISC as I am having a huge amount of trouble finding a psych to do anything else. My son is a perfectionist, but has trouble starting or using his initiative when it's not an area he's interested in, or if he is unsure if how to do it EXACTLY right.

Although, he did an assessment with his tutor and he did well with that, but I was a metre away from him.

His school doesn't perform any end of year tests, so I can't rely on that. His teachers all now support a grade skip, but it's just a matter if convincing the new principal.

I am in Australia, mumofthree.

Squishy's if you're in Adelaide or Sydney I can possibly provide some suggestions. Don't know anyone in other states.

But as (i think) I said earlier, the sb5 is not always well received in Australia, we personally haven't had any problems, but I have more than one friend get blatant disbelief, an eyeroll and "Well EVERYONE is gifted on the sb5", probably because its really only used by gifted experts - anyone taking their child to a gifted specialist and having the results not come back gifted are hardly going to be running around advertising that.