Explore Test Results

[Heather in WI]

Hi! We received the results from our son's Explore test today. We weren't sure what to expect because this was the first standardized test he's taken. He did very well in math and science, but scored much lower in English: 10, with subscores of Usage/Mechanics: 5 and Rhetorical Skills: 5 and Reading: 12.

I'm not sure if we should keep on keepin' on, do something differently or add something in here? He is currently working through Rod & Staff's English 4 with a 92% average. I'm thinking some sort of reading comprehension workbook or curriculum, but I really am at a loss with what to do, if anything.

~Heather

[KAR120C]

I wouldn't worry too much! Especially since it's his first standardized test. If he takes it again next year and doesn't come up a little, then I might give it some thought, but still I wouldn't really worry. Especially with reading, they only test a particular kind of reading comprehension... not the sort that I really like to emphasize myself. It's kind of a necessary limitation of the test format, so I don't blame them, but if you aren't seeing any problem in his regular work I wouldn't be bothered by a lower score in an out-of-level test.

DS took the Explore first when he was 7, and had a huge gap between the math/science scores and the English/reading scores... And if I'm remembering correctly, the English and reading scores were similar to your DS's... The gap closed over the next two years. We didn't change anything -- I was happy with his daily work as it was -- but I think a little more experience with tests, and a little extra speed just from maturity gave him that extra bit in his (relatively) weaker subjects!

Hope this helps!

[Heather in WI]

That helps a lot Erica! I am completely happy with his day-to-day work, so I will just keep on the same path. Thank you very much!

[abbeyej]

How did you register a 7yo for Explore?

[KAR120C]

How did you register a 7yo for Explore?
We were calling him a 3rd grader anyway, and they didn't blink. We're actually in Duke TIP territory (where they do blink), but CTD didn't seem to care that he was homeschooled, grade skipped, parent-nominated and out of their area... LOL

He did fine, but my gosh he was tiny next to all those giant 5th and 6th grade TIP kids!

[Jenny in Florida]

He did fine, but my gosh he was tiny next to all those giant 5th and 6th grade TIP kids!

Just wait until he's taking the SAT or ACT at 11. Those high school kids are giants!

[abbeyej]

Okay, that makes sense. We're in TIP territory, where you must be in 5th to take it. Ds was grade-skipped as well, and they didn't question that (since his scores were still high enough), but I didn't know other talent searches allowed kids under 5th grade to participate.

[KAR120C]

Okay, that makes sense. We're in TIP territory, where you must be in 5th to take it. Ds was grade-skipped as well, and they didn't question that (since his scores were still high enough), but I didn't know other talent searches allowed kids under 5th grade to participate.
Some of them are more particular about location, but CTD doesn't seem to care much... If TIP had allowed 3rd graders we had the scores then, but since then he's only done the Explore, which oddly enough isn't on their list! LOL ...And now all his scores on the tests they do accept are too old. I'm sure if I called they could figure it out, but it never seemed to be worth the effort when CTD was so easy. Maybe if we were looking for local programs or something...

Anyway I think we're moving on to the ACT from here on out, so we'll just do it independently and not worry about the talent search requirements.

[KAR120C]

Just wait until he's taking the SAT or ACT at 11. Those high school kids are giants!
It's the only thing that makes me hesitate!! Not to mention he's on the fairly tiny side..... eek! We'll do it anyway, but I can just imagine the looks.........

[danielle]

If I understand right, the talent searches use EXPLORE because it IS an out of level test for 5th & 6th graders. It's actually designed for 8th graders for high school placement. In fact our local high school forced my dd to take it in 8th grade--wouldn't accept her 6th grade scores. She got a perfect score on all the measures, so I guess that told them what they needed to know. :001_smile:

However, if you are having an even younger child take EXPLORE, you're really pushing the level, and I wouldn't be concerned at all with the scores being "bad". Your dc is competing even with talent search kids who are much older. and may just need more time. For ages, my dd has been near ceiling/exceeding the ceiling on any verbal/english/reading exams (had a 12.9 tested reading level when she was in 3rd grade), but her math, while far above average, has always lagged the verbal. It seems to me one of the best reasons to hs is that a kid can be "leveled" differently in each subject, based on abilities. And you don't have to "grade accelerate" to get challenging work for the child, like p.s. is likely to do.

A lot of gifted listservs are filled with discussions on how to help their 15 year old grade accelerated teen cope with the social situations they are encountering as early-age college students. Or the terrible stories of young kids in high schools that are so able academically, but not emotionally.

Also, I've seen my dd not-get-it; not-get-it; not-get-it; GOT-IT! in so many subjects--learning speed really is not always linear and sequential. Sometimes they just make a leap of progress in a concept or area. If I were you, I'd just continue to have your dc read and talk about what he's reading. It will improve.
Danielle

[MBM]

My 11-year-old took the SAT this year with a small group of kids about his age. The administrator at the high school thought it would be best to separate the younger students from the older ones; we didn't request it. She even came in an extra weekend day herself to oversee them. I don't think my son would have felt intimidated if he had taken the test with the older kids, but it was nice of the administrator to do it.

[cjzimmer1]

My 11 year old took the ACT this year and the Explore test the last two years. We have done all the testing through CTD but each year he has taken it he is grouped in a room with other kids in his grade level. He has never been in a mixed group (even other younger kids). When he took the Explore test, the rooms were clearly labeled, this was the 3rd grade room, this was the 4th grade rooms, these were the 5th grade rooms and which kids were each etc. I don't even think the regular high schoolers take the ACT the same day or at least not at the same location because my husband said there wasn't ANY high school aged kids in the building that he saw. Maybe different locations run it different but thankfully around here we don't have to deal with the mixed groups. I'm sure you would have the mixed ages if you sign up directly with ACT but so far we like the reports CTD has sent out and having him separated definitely makes the extra cost worth it.