Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Identification, Testing & Assessment I think he rushed through the CoGat and blew it!

Did he blow it? Will the school think I'm crazy if I ask for something else? A test by a school psychologist? My son is crazy verbally gifted, but was just excited that he would be able to draw after he finished (thanks, test administrator for telling the kids to take their time!)

So I fear he blew through it. He said he was the first one done. Arg. Has you verbally gifted child ever done poorly on this test? On the verbal section, specifically? What did you do? I know I've read about HG+ kids not doing well on this test, but are they out there? How do you deal with it? Our state does a GIEP.

I don't know how he does on tests, he is only 7! Arg.

Ds took the scat a month or so ago and I told him over and over 'if you get to a really hard question just skip it and keep going'. I am pretty sure that he just hung on a single question in both sections and didn't move on (he said he got stuck on the last question in each section...)
Results were still good in verbal but not phenomenal, math so-so. But, I have to chock it up to a great day but a perfectionist kid... oh well.
Later that same week he took the CoGat for school, and the Naglieri. He got three parts of cogat over three days, is that what your school did? We have a long wait for results apparently...

Anyway, to answer your question - I think a lot of schools know that at these young ages, there can be lots of factors to keep a kid from scoring as expected, bad day, sick, poor admin, nerves, etc. The district we are in will retest, especially if you present other info such as school grades, work from home etc. that shows superior achievement or potential or drive.

Also, I have read lots of times on this forum examples of kids flying through tests and it just means they really killed it! So don't give up hope yet for this test

Finally, don't worry what the school thinks too much. You have to do what is right for your ds, even if it makes you seem a bit pushy...I have been reading a good book, 'Outliers', partly about folks that make opportunities and how that can make the world of difference in getting a 'chance' to live up to one's potential. You gotta make those opportunities for a 7 year old!

I guess I just hate this whole process... my son has a lot of anxiety (probably an un RX anxiety disorder...)... and so the test is hard for him, anyway. But I hate that a kids who is obviously gifted (like of you talk to him for 20 seconds, you can see the sparks flying out of his ears), and his teacher knows he is gifted, even the principal knows he id gifted, has to take these tests to get TAG services. I would love to just submit a portfolio if his work, and such.

You are right, he might do really well on the tests, and I'm just nervous because I know he can do really... They spread it out over two days--so yesterday was the verbal and today is the math. They took the NNAT already, so at least that is behind him.

Thank you Chris and Dotty! The support for parents who know and have been through this means so so so much to me. It keeps me going.

And I won't stop if he bombs these test, thanks for the support. I guess we shouldn't fear being 'that parent.' Because we do need to advocate for our kids.

He is perfectionistic, and can be down on himself emotionally... and that is why the TAG is important in his case, because I think the label would really help him understand why he feels so different from his peers.

I'll try to hang in there and wait for his scores. Man, I hope he killed it!

So, if Hoagies states so clearly that many HG+ kids do poorly on these tests, how do I take that information to the school? We qualify for the school psych to test him, because of our (lack of) income. But I don't know if more testing is good for my kids. Do I just wait for the results and then see? TIA!

I don't have better advice for you about the testing than what you've already gotten. I, too, would advise you to wait to see the scores before you worry. It may not be a problem at all.

I would like to address this:



I always say that I'd rather be "that mom" than have my child be "that kid." I can prepare myself for it and handle it; they shouldn't have to.

I'm glad you're not planning to give up. It is really, really hard to advocate! But keep up the good work.

Oh, and if I may address your child's perfectionism, I think that often the apple doesn't fall far from the tree on that count. I know that's the case in our house! I'm definitely wound a bit too tightly, and I have to fight it every day!

My advice, from one perfectionist to another? Relax as much as you can, especially about the testing. If he's already got an anxiety issue, your anxiety isn't going to help there. In terms of the big picture, allow yourself to make mistakes and show him that you're okay with it. Try new things and fail miserably at them--with a big smile on your face. I really think that this sort of modeling is the best thing you can do for perfectionism...for both of you!

Finding a challenge helps, too, but you're already working on that!

Best wishes for grand success!

Don't panic! I took my teacher credentialing exam and finished an HOUR before the next person. I was freaking out- scanning pages, certain I'd missed something. No... I was just that fast. I've always finished tests quickly but that was a major time gap.

It's very possible it was quick and easy for him and it made sense. If not you can always explore other options. But don't panic in the short run, see what happens!

I'm trying really hard to downplay the whole test, and not be anxious about it at all. But it is good to hear to chill out, too. I guess I funnel it all "here" so I might come across freakier then I am in real life

Thank you Kriston and CAMom. I'm really not overtly freaking out. And I know what you mean, CAmom, about finishing a test quickly and then thinking you must have missed something... because it was *too* easy. I am hoping that is the case.

Today I just told him to take his time and do well, and then we talked about all the animals he would see since the SPCA is visiting his school. Then we talked about cute furry animals for the next 10 minutes, with talking about the test for only like 30 seconds.

Thank you! I don't know what I would do without this board... And Kriston I really like that about not fearing being "that parent..." So true.

I hear you. I didn't think you were freaky at all. Just normal. (Well, for around here, anyway!)

I know what you mean about *around here*. But I swear if our children's needs were just met without us having to be all paranoid about how we come across, and constantly having meetings and repeating ourselves, and stating the obvious about our kids over and over, we would all probably be the most mellow bunch. It is just a weird mixture of protecting our kids and dealing with "the system" that makes us crazy.

And I like the school, and the principal and everything, I just don't know why educators wouldn't want to help these kids... and just take them for who they are...

Oh, sing it, sister!

Is money like a secret code for schools to express "community will," or is it money to cover their rears from the NCLB stuff? I hope NCLB gets taken apart in February at the latest.