Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Identification, Testing & Assessment Can someone help me understand....

the testing info in layperson's terms? I'd appreciate any help.

DS8 was given the WISC-IV and had these results...I'll try to provide the necessary info. Composite scores are....
VCI - 140
PRI - 139
WMI - 132
PSI - 112
FSIQ - 141

He was also given a WIAT-II. The composite standard scores for reading and math were both 153.

The psychologist noted 'high energy behaviors' during the testing and told us that his scores may actually be higher, but that she couldn't know for sure because of the distractibility. I don't know if they plan to retest after getting him where he needs to be - ie. gifted program, subject acceleration, with the ultimate goal of a grade skip.

I guess he falls in the 'very superior' range, but what does that really mean? We've suspected for quite some time that he was different, but....normal. We were left with the impression that he was not average and that he would have definite special needs as far as school was concerned.

I see clear differences in his thought processes and actions when I watch him interact with his friends, but it's hard to imagine that he's really that different. Is he?

I'd say. Did they give you a percentile ranking? I think that full scale score puts him in the 99.6 or 99.7 percentile ranking. Pretty much scored better than 99.6% of the kids in the norming sample.. Very smart child.

Also, it's more difficult to score on the WISC IV than the previous WISC test. They sampled a gifted group of kids that tested on the previous test and the kids scored about 3-10 points lower on the new test.

Plus both the VCI and PRI are uniformly high. That's also not common. So, he should be equally talented in language arts as well as math.

If the achievement scores for Broad Reading and Broad Math were 153, that's also very high. Could be that the IQ test is a bit of an underestimate, but it's really hard to tell.

Good luck planning for his education and I hope the grade skip works out!

My girls love taking the IQ and achievment tests, well, DD9 loves it more than DD6 anyway. If that's the case with your son, it wouldn't be unreasonable to test again later.

I think Dottie might say that more data is better, but I don't want to speak for her. I've personally found that seeing a pattern of real high scores over the last two years has convinced me about my own daugter's situation.

Welcome!

Neato

Just out of curiousity, how do you see the WISC as more "limiting"? Is that because the processing speed score can depress the whole score if it's low?

Thanks everyone for your replies.

The percentile scores on the achievement test were 99.9 and about 99.7ish on the IQ. Now that I think about it, the tester did say something about it being unusual that the achievement and IQ scores were about the same - as if it wasn't common.

DS loves to take tests and do things like leave the classroom and stuff. He would describe himself as lazy, I think because he thinks that might make him fit in a little better. But he has this need to be challenged and stimulated that even he isn't aware of.

I guess I'm trying to understand if he's just a little brighter than average or if it's something more. Logically, I know what the scores indicate, but at the same time, I think 'what are the chances?'. I know it must sound weird.

Thanks again for all your input.

Um, with those achievement scores I'd say definately more than "just a little brighter than average". Don't worry we've all been through the denial ourselves.

The standard score for numerical operations is 137 and math reasoning is 149. What is the significance of the age/grade equivalents? Does it mean that he may grasp concepts at or near those levels even though the functionality might not be there because he hasn't received instruction?

Would he fall under a 'moderately gifted' heading?

Uh I'd say he is a good deal more than moderately gifted but I'll let the veterans here tackle your GT denial!!!!

Even with any distractions or margin for error (not saying there is any here... just in general), I'd say WOW! I'd personally say he's even smarter than the above average cookie.

Wicked Smart! I love that!! Time to start shaking off the denial. Maybe we should start a new holiday. "National GT Denial Day" A day for all of us to step forward and say my DS/DD is WICKED SMART! out loud and proud. LOL

No He falls easily under HG+ heading. Nice scores. You have one very gifted child on your hands. Ask Dottie to calculate his IQ without including his processing speed.