Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Identification, Testing & Assessment Explore test coming up?

What makes someone ready to take this test? Does the qualification criteria say a child is ready?

My DS in 3rd is going to take the Explore for the first time. He is a good test taker without anxiety issues. But now that I signed him up, I'm nervous. Any thoughts on how to make this go well. I think he is advance in science Knowledge. He scored total achievement 140, 8th grade on WJ achievement and very well rounded scores with most talent in Math. What should I anticipate? Do you think he will feel comfortable or overwhelmed?

What's your reason for testing? I think that makes a difference.

My 8yo is testing on the Explore, too, but only for my own curiosity, since he hasn't had an above-level test since he was 5yo.

I'm reading with interest...

Have you seen sample questions yet? Here are some:

http://actstudent.org/explore/tests/science.html (All sections are accessible from here, not just the science)

http://www.act.org/explore/downloads.html talks about the content of the test.

HTH! (It's helping me!)

Best advice? Chill out! Let him know it will be challenging, he probably will not know all the answers, he may not get through all the questions. Go through the sample test questions, but don't worry about drilling him on anything. Teach him how to use a calculator. Take him out for a treat afterward.

OHGrandma, I agree with your advice. We told DD3.5 that she was just having a chat with a nice Dr. who really was facinated with kids who learn quickly. She seemed totally fine with our set-up, and was a bit shy and tentative in the waiting area, however, once in the Psychologist's office, she all but closed the door in our face upon seeing the testing materials.

We did make a mistake by telling her that we were heading to Disneyland after her IQ testing (we were on a vacation to Southern California at the time). When the psychologist walked out and told us they were done (in a pretty short amount of time)DH and I looked at each other and grimmaced. We thought she was probably too excited to perform well, and just tanked the whole thing just to get to Disneyland quicker. So, in hindsight, I do not think I would set such a huge event for right after testing. LOL - I am pretty sure an ice cream treat or a nice shopping trip for a treat would not be a problem.

:-)

Thanks Kriston. Those sample questions don't seem so scary. Would there be any harm in him trying the samples. That would make me feel more relaxed. Does any body think it would be realistic to say if he can do those samples he will be fine. I think it's ok if he can't do some of the questions.

It would be wonderful to take the test every year and see growth. My reason for DS taking the test is to evaluate his skills more and possible talent search scholarship. I'm very interested to get the evaluation from the test thru our talent search. They make reccomedations about education and courses they offer. Developing Math Talent suggests that Explore is the next step to find out an educational plan for Math Talented Students.

HTH! < what does that mean?

Is your child taking Explore thru a talent search?

HTH - hope that helps

BOO HOO HOO there is no place to take the explore near us. 2hrs+ is not doable at the time the tests start.

As I said in my post above -- Have him do the sample questions! That's what they are for, to let the kids know what to expect. I do think the sample questions are more like some of the easier ones they'll get on the test.
It wouldn't hurt to give a quick course on fractions and decimals, he may not have done that in the third grade at school. But it will help to know that on the math portion of the test.

I will have him do the quetions. thank you.

Sorry Dazed and confused about lack of availability. I don't think it's always needed.

I tell my kids that they should have fun--I really focus on the fun word, because it doesn't count & it's completely for their own use/experience. This is an opportunity to show what they know and do as well as they can. EXPLORE is rated on 8th or 9th grade level so there is likely to be stuff they don't know (but they should GUESS--no points off for incorrect answers!) Especially if they can eliminate a couple answers using common sense. The other thing is that they should try to watch their time--very difficult for younger students--and move on if something is too complex.

The terminology may be foreign, so it can't hurt to introduce them to a couple things they'll likely see (e.g. f(x)= x + 5...most kids would say what the heck does that mean?...you might explain that f(x) means "function" or however an 8 yr old can understand it).