Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Identification, Testing & Assessment When do you worry about ceiling effects?

I've been reading some about the newer IQ tests really maxing out at around 160 or so and that when you get near 98% or above you really don't know how highly gifted the person is. I'm not concerned as much as just curious at this point since we seem to have a good school situation, but I know it's important to know LOG.

If my DD8 got a 149FCI(>99.9%ile)on the KABC-II, with the following sub-scores, are these most likely accurate or could there be ceiling effects?
Simultaneous (Gv): 97th %ile
Sequential (Gsm): 88th %ile
Planning (Gf): 99.8%ile
Learning (Glr): 99th %ile
Knowledge (Gc): 99th %ile

Also, on an unrelated note, would these be DYS qualifying scores? I'm just trying to figure everything out.

TIA!

Just to clarify, I found this at Hoagies:

"Therefore, it is recommended that any time a child scores within the ceiling range on three or more subtests of the WISC-R, the Stanford-Binet Fourth Edition, or the Kaufman Assessment Battery for Children, the child be retested with the Stanford-Binet Form L-M (Silverman & Kearney, in preparation)."

How do you know what is "within the ceiling range"?

You can view the list of tests accepted by the DYS program . It doesn't look like the K-ABC is on it. You could call them and ask... they may need you to submit additional information.

It's my understanding that supplemental testing with the SB-LM is considered outdated by many, and it is difficult to find anyone to administer the test anymore.

Maybe someone familiar with the K-ABC can tell you how it is scored. Do you have the scaled scores or raw scores for the different subtests? That could be helpful in figuring out if the child reached the ceiling of the test. With scores this high, it is very likely that she did!

Have you considered retesting her with the WISC-IV or SB-5? Do you have achievement data?

Hi, Cathy!

I know the K-ABC II isn't one that's used a lot, and it's been frustrating trying to get info on it. For instance, I do know her "standard scores" for each subtest, but I don't know what the maximum possible scores are.

We do have achievement test scores (KTEA-II)given at the same time. They correspond to her K-ABC scores, and I can give you those if that would help you help me. There were several subtests and composites where she was at or above the 99thtile. Again, I have the standard scores, but don't know what the maximum possible scores are.

Do I need to know what the maximum possible subscores are to know whether she was "within the ceiling range" or can I know from the percentiles alone?

Would the WISC-IV or SB-5 minimize the ceiling effects if there were any?

At his point I'm not sure that we need to test again but it is a possibility if it would help us get an accurate picture of her. I'm all about trying to know what I'm dealing with!

I keep reading that it's important to evaluate further if there are, indeed, possibly ceiling affects, but is it helpful?

Hi, Dottie! I PM'd you.

I'm PM'd you too Dottie!!