Testing (PreK through Grade 3)
Purpose
Many schools do not offer standardized achievement tests to students in PreK through grade 3, and yet a good number of educational programs require evidence of abilities as an admission requirement.
With its PreK through grade 3 testing services, Center for Talent Development (CTD) fills the gap in achievement testing and enables young students to qualify for admission to outstanding enrichment opportunities like CTD’s Summer Program and Saturday Enrichment Program.
Eligibility
Children must be at least 4 years of age – typically in PreK – and not yet beyond grade 3 to participate. In addition, we recommend that parents schedule testing after their child starts showing some familiarity with letters and numbers, since a major portion of the test battery assesses achievement in these areas.
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Testing
Center for Talent Development testing consultants are trained in testing principles and familiar with CTD programs. Testing consultants introduce themselves and familiarize children and parents with the testing room and procedures. They then direct parents to a nearby room, where parents complete a parent inventory and wait for testing to be completed.
The evaluation, which lasts about an hour, consists of achievement tests in letter recognition and reading, early mathematics, general information and tests of abstract logical reasoning ability, fine motor coordination and abstract representation. The evaluation is not a complete cognitive or psychological assessment. Instead, we administer a limited number of tests that measure a child's readiness for participation in CTD programs and other opportunities for gifted children.
The following tests are administered:
• Ravens Colored Progressive Matrices
(based on comparing geometric puzzle shapes)
• Peabody Individual Achievement Test-Revised, or PIAT-R
(measures achievement in math, reading and general information)
• Goodenough Draw A Person Test
(measures mental representation skills and use of pencil or crayons)
In addition, a special inventory measures children's cooperation and attentiveness, their ability to separate from a parent and interact with the unfamiliar examiner and their social adeptness and ability to hold their own in an adult conversation.
Test consultants discuss results with parents immediately after testing is completed. Parents then receive a written report, including test scores and recommendations, about two weeks after testing.
Logistics
Center for Talent Development test consultants administer testing on Northwestern University's Evanston, Illinois, campus. We also have testing sites in Naperville and Gurnee, Illinois.
While we prefer to conduct testing Monday through Friday, it can be done on Saturday if necessary.
CTD requires a $110 evaluation fee, payable via check or money order at the time of testing. Please make check or money order payable to Center for Talent Development.
Please note: Cancellations must be made at least 24 hours in advance to avoid a $25 cancellation fee.
Schedule Testing
Contact CTD at 847/491-3850 or ctd-testing@northwestern.edu to schedule a testing appointment. After scheduling, you will receive a confirmation letter along with detailed information regarding the testing location as well as maps and parking permits when necessary.
Thank you for your interest in CTD’s PreK through grade 3 achievement testing!
Purpose
Many schools do not offer standardized achievement tests to students in PreK through grade 3, and yet a good number of educational programs require evidence of abilities as an admission requirement.
With its PreK through grade 3 testing services, Center for Talent Development (CTD) fills the gap in achievement testing and enables young students to qualify for admission to outstanding enrichment opportunities like CTD’s Summer Program and Saturday Enrichment Program.
Eligibility
Children must be at least 4 years of age – typically in PreK – and not yet beyond grade 3 to participate. In addition, we recommend that parents schedule testing after their child starts showing some familiarity with letters and numbers, since a major portion of the test battery assesses achievement in these areas.
back to top
Testing
Center for Talent Development testing consultants are trained in testing principles and familiar with CTD programs. Testing consultants introduce themselves and familiarize children and parents with the testing room and procedures. They then direct parents to a nearby room, where parents complete a parent inventory and wait for testing to be completed.
The evaluation, which lasts about an hour, consists of achievement tests in letter recognition and reading, early mathematics, general information and tests of abstract logical reasoning ability, fine motor coordination and abstract representation. The evaluation is not a complete cognitive or psychological assessment. Instead, we administer a limited number of tests that measure a child's readiness for participation in CTD programs and other opportunities for gifted children.
The following tests are administered:
• Ravens Colored Progressive Matrices
(based on comparing geometric puzzle shapes)
• Peabody Individual Achievement Test-Revised, or PIAT-R
(measures achievement in math, reading and general information)
• Goodenough Draw A Person Test
(measures mental representation skills and use of pencil or crayons)
In addition, a special inventory measures children's cooperation and attentiveness, their ability to separate from a parent and interact with the unfamiliar examiner and their social adeptness and ability to hold their own in an adult conversation.
Test consultants discuss results with parents immediately after testing is completed. Parents then receive a written report, including test scores and recommendations, about two weeks after testing.
back to top
Logistics
Center for Talent Development test consultants administer testing on Northwestern University's Evanston, Illinois, campus. We also have testing sites in Naperville and Gurnee, Illinois.
While we prefer to conduct testing Monday through Friday, it can be done on Saturday if necessary.
CTD requires a $110 evaluation fee, payable via check or money order at the time of testing. Please make check or money order payable to Center for Talent Development.
Please note: Cancellations must be made at least 24 hours in advance to avoid a $25 cancellation fee.
back to top
Schedule Testing
Contact CTD at 847/491-3850 or ctd-testing@northwestern.edu to schedule a testing appointment. After scheduling, you will receive a confirmation letter along with detailed information regarding the testing location as well as maps and parking permits when necessary.
Thank you for your interest in CTD’s PreK through grade 3 achievement testing!
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