Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Identification, Testing & Assessment Reasons to Submit a Portfolio

Well, I was going to submit DD14's DYS stuff a few months ago, but then my sons went off to college, and everything got busy with my husband travelling, and... well, I forgot about it. Now looking back on the DYS website, I'm finding "If you cannot access testing due to financial constraints, you may submit a portfolio of work samples in place of testing." The reason we aren't getting IQ testing isn't really all financial.
DD14 doesn't particularly like testing because she gets nervous about how she is going to do and then makes silly mistakes. We already do have qualifying SAT scores, and high scores from the CoGAT and MAP tests, if those can be sent in as well, in addition to various potential portfolio pieces, so if that is all it would take to get in, it would help a lot and save time and keep her from getting nervous.
Currently, we see no opportunities for testing in the area. The closest thing we can find is far away and not cheap, and seems to have little gifted experience. We don't have financial problems, but we don't see need to spend money on the testing if we don't have to and can just send in a portfolio.
Would the people at Davidson respect that?

Ignore this

What was stressful about the SAT? IQ testing should be a very different experience than SAT testing. It is one on one not in a big group like with the SAT. Testers are typically psychologists who have quite a lot of experience with creating conditions that will lower test anxiety. Many people find IQ testing to be enjoyable as it focuses on puzzles and problem solving.

I'm unclear - it seems like you are saying in your first post that finances aren't a problem, but in your second post that they are.

The purpose of IQ testing is not just to get a number, but instead to better understand a student's strengths and weaknesses and gain information into how the student learns.

Sorry for my confusing posts. My computer was going extremely slowly up until a few moments ago and it kept deleting my posts and more, leading to some really choppy posts. It is finally working, so I'm going to rewrite everything.
DD14 doesn't particularly like testing because she gets nervous about how she is going to do and then makes silly mistakes. We already do have qualifying SAT scores, and high scores from the CoGAT and MAP tests, if those can be sent in as well, in addition to various potential portfolio pieces, so if that is all it would take to get in, it would help a lot and save time and keep her from getting nervous.
Currently, we see no opportunities for testing in the area. The closest thing we can find is far away and not cheap, and seems to have little gifted experience. We don't have financial problems, but we don't see need to spend money on the testing if we don't have to and can just send in a portfolio.
I hope that clears everything up.

The way I read the requirements, they seem to prefer both IQ and achievement testing, but the option of one or the other plus a portfolio is very clearly laid out as well.

I would absolutely submit the SAT scores along with portfolio items. The worse that could happen is that they ask for more information, in which case you'd go back a couple of steps and try to find an adequate testing experience.

I also agree that the IQ test should be way less stressful than the SAT. A good tester would work on easing her in and trying to keep it low key, yet at the same time motivating her to do her best.