Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Identification, Testing & Assessment Who's doing talent search testing this yr?

I was wondering if anyone else has had their child experience (or worried that their child is experiencing) test fatigue. DS takes NCLB tests 2 or 3 times a year, with each test lasting several hours (1-2 hours per day for 3-4 days). Since he took both the ACT and SAT last year, I think he just got max-ed out on testing.

Has anyone else run into this? Are you worried about it?

GS9 is now discovering he enjoys a challenge. The testing he's done is the NCLB state tests which was done twice in 3rd grade but will only be done once in 4th and upwards. He also did the reading portion of the ITBS in Jan & the math portion of ITBS in Sept to qualify for the gifted pullout. I considered the Explore last Feb, and also the SCAT, but he was not ready for the challenge of an above grade level test. He got a kick out of doing the state NCLB tests this spring. I think he is ready for the challenge of doing the Explore now.
As for prepping, I figured I'd have him do a sample test to identify any weak areas so we could work on that before the test. I figure if I'm digging up stuff to keep him challenged, it might as well be something to build up weak spots. I'm looking at the Explore as something to identify strength's and weaknesses, not a goal to achieve.

Actually, now that you mention it, maybe I did a little more prep than I remembered. From the reading portion of the practice ACT, I could tell that DS had no stamina for reading non-fiction. He doesn't choose non-fiction much on his own. So I started making him read Smithsonian articles once a week. He found he really liked them and now reads them on his own. So the ACT practice did uncover a gap, which was easily filled once I knew it was there. I'm not sure if I would call it test prep, but the test prep helped me focus his afterschooling. And that couldn't have hurt him when test time came around!

acs, I consider that just good planning to direct the childs education. When GS was in the 2nd grade his teacher guided him into reading non-fiction when he started reading fiction more than 1 grade level above his current grade level. So, when GS started 3rd grade and was making steady progress in all areas, I started selecting non-fiction books for AR reading that also complemented what he was studying for science or social studies. We mixed it up, he picked fun books, I picked others. As your son has done, GS also found he likes some subjects. He likes science, botany in particular, civil war, and this week asked for books on the Great Depression.
I think that's a pretty good reason to take an above level test. And without direction at this stage, he'd be reading Harry Potter & Bionicles all day while eating ice cream and drinking pop. He gets to do those things, but all in moderation!

That's funny, I was just struggling with this question on our ds; he seems to enjoy these sorts of tests but then I go back to wondering where his brain goes sometimes when presented with timed math fact work...LOL!
Wondering a bit if I've made a mistake signing him up for timed anything...but I think his enjoyment in taking it, whatever the score, should be an ok incentive to go for it.

I am not sure I would call my ds8 a Mr. Spock, but I would say the performance disparity there is 'Fascinating.'



Anyhoo, fear not, I think we get where your ds is coming from!

I think you're right--if he likes the testing, then sign him up!

Mine have all enjoyed the testing, even though it is exhausting on the SAT/ACT level (and even EXPLORE). They come out completely wiped and starving--we have to run immediately to Subway to get fuel. Cracks me up.

Coming in late here... DS9 will be taking the Explore in January (I hope someone else is waiting then -- I want company!!!) I considered signing him up for the ACT, but I haven't had time to give him a practice test to get a bead on how he might do, so I figured I'd sign him up for the Explore before we missed the good location.

So we could do both this year but probably holding the ACT until we have both a practice test and the Explore scores in hand.

When DS did his practice test, he did it section by section rather than all at once. I think he did one section on Saturday, one on Sunday and then the other two the next weekend. Yes, the ACT takes stamina and if you are "practicing" building stamina it makes sense to take it all at once. But if you want to know what your child can do, then taking each section fresh is probably more helpful. And breaking it up was the only way that would fit into our schedule!

And we're not planning on doing ANY testing. Just to mix it up a little.