Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Identification, Testing & Assessment Recommend an achievement test for my DS

I can answer the DYS question: yes. Check here: http://www.davidsongifted.org/young...holars___Qualification_Criteria_384.aspx

I can't answer questions 1 or 2 though. Sorry!

Shelly -- ds did the Word Reading and Spelling subtests at 5y5m and we got full-out results (percentile, standard score, GE, age equivalent) for those subtests; I'm honestly not very knowledgeable with test content, and what's normal to administer and what's not.

You may want to search around online and see what WIAT subtests are typically given to kids your ds's age. I'm basing my theory that Reading Comprehension isn't usually given to younger kids on our tester's comments and the fact that we didn't get percentile and standard score on that subtest -- but honestly, it's just a theory that makes sense, I haven't verified any of that.

But ... we did get age and grade equivalents on the Reading Comprehension, as well as a standard score. So, it did give us information that was useful for placement. And the results were good enough for DYS.

I'm happy to see that my question inspired such a great discussion! I have learned so much about the tests just from reading this one thread. Thanks again Dottie and everyone for your information. I'm going to go ahead and schedule him as soon as I know what our school situation will be next year (in March). I have no idea how he'll do on some of those tests simply because we've never tried. He's reading around a 3rd grade level so I'd imagine he'll be able to spell more than I think!

I stAanns corrected! Ds did word reading, math reasoning, numerical operations, spelling, and then she added reading comprehension though he was only 5. I didn't get scores for listening comprehensiion or written expression -- so I'm guessing she didn't do them with ds? When I asked about composite scores, his tester said she doesn't like to do an overall composite because it doesn't mean much-- kids can be all over the map and it doesn't tell you much.

That's what she said, anyway...interesting.

I'm sorry, CAMpm, we went off on a tangent! Interesting and informative discussion, though.

Thanks for the feedback. So are testers able to do some of the other subtests if they feel a child is capable of them (even if they aren't the technical age yet)? It looks like your tester did Mia. Just curious because if they aren't even allowed to test him on so much of the things that he knows, then I would guess it is not that reflective of his capabilities. I don't think they should push kids and test for things that the child has no idea how to do, but it would be nice for them to see their capabilities. My DS is 4. I am not sure what numerical operations are...but if it has anything to do with addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, patterning, fractions, time, measuring, etc...he will probably be able to do quite easily. It would be unfortunate if they just said "well....4 year olds shouldn't be able to do that yet so we won't test him on that" Clearly 4 year olds shouldn't be able to half the stuff he is...and that is why we are having him tested. And I do realize that IQ tests were not designed to test gifted children...but I just want testing to be a good read and help us decide what direction to go in.

The tester may test your child and you may get a grade equivalent but you will not get a normed score for tests designed for older children only. They cannot give you the normed results since there is no sample to use as a norm. KWIM?

You may still find the grade equivalent useful though. In our case the fact that our then K had the same math reasoning as an average 4th grader was a big eye opener.

It can get quite confusing when it comes to grade equivalents though. DS highest grade equivalent (Story Recall 5.9) came with the lowest score (116) simply because it's not so unusual.

Quick note on DS5 and the WJ-III. He took half of it yesterday, and said it was fun. He takes the rest of the test tomorrow. I have no results or anything to report, just a funny. After I gave him his promised bribes for cooperation, he said, "Great. I've got my jellybeans and my webkinz. Now, after Thursday, I can relax until kindergarten!"

Too funny St Pauli girl! Good luck (although he probably won't need it-LOL) to DS.