How should my child prepare for the Raven’s test?

How should my child prepare for the Raven’s test?

What is the Raven’s Test and how do I prepare for it? The Raven’s Progressive Matrices Test is a non-verbal assessment designed to measure abstract reasoning, logical thinking, and problem-solving ability. Commonly used in IQ testing, gifted evaluations, and pre-employment assessments, the test presents a series of visual patterns with one piece missing. Your task…

Gifted & Talented Programs by State: What Parents Should Know

Gifted & Talented Programs by State

Gifted & Talented Program Some states like Texas, Georgia, and Florida mandate both the identification and support of gifted students, while others like California and Michigan require identification but not services. In contrast, states such as South Dakota and Massachusetts have no statewide requirements at all. Each state uses different criteria—IQ tests, academic performance, creativity,…

How to Prepare Your Child for Gifted & Talented Testing

How to Prepare Your Child for Gifted & Talented Testing

How can we help our child get into a Gifted and Talented program? Helping your child get into a Gifted and Talented (G&T) program starts with early support and the right preparation. Begin by understanding your local district’s eligibility criteria—most programs require high scores on standardized tests like the CogAT, NNAT, OLSAT, or Raven’s Matrices….

What Parents Need to Know About Gifted & Talented Testing in 2025

What Parents Need to Know About Gifted & Talented Testing in 2025

What is the best age to test for giftedness? The ideal age to test for giftedness is typically between ages 5 and 8, when children have developed enough verbal and cognitive skills for accurate assessment. However, signs of giftedness can appear earlier, and some experts may evaluate children as young as 3 if advanced development…

How to Get a Top Score on the HSPT: Practice Tips and Study Tools

How to Get a Top Score on the HSPT

Tips and Target Scores A good score on the HSPT typically falls in the 85th percentile or above, which can strengthen your chances for admission to competitive high schools. To do well, focus on timed practice in all sections—Verbal, Quantitative, Reading, Math, and Language. Build your vocabulary, review math fundamentals, and sharpen reading comprehension. Use…

Top 5 Mistakes Students Make on the SHSAT—and How to Avoid Them

Top 5 Mistakes Students Make on the SHSAT

Common Mistakes Students Make on the SHSAT Many SHSAT test-takers struggle due to poor time management, ignoring one section (Math or ELA), underestimating the Revising/Editing portion, failing to review mistakes, and starting prep too late. To succeed, students should balance their study time, practice under real test conditions, and review incorrect answers regularly. The Specialized…

Best Books and Free Resources to Study for the SSAT in 2025

Best Books and Free Resources to Study for the SSAT in 2025

Which sections are on the SSAT? The SSAT has five sections. The Writing Sample (25 min) is unscored but sent to schools. Quantitative has two math sections (30 min each, 50 total questions). Reading Comprehension (40 min) includes ~40 questions on various passages. Verbal Reasoning (30 min) has 60 questions—30 synonyms and 30 analogies. The…

Understanding the Independent School Entrance Examination (ISEE)

Understanding the Independent School Entrance Examination (ISEE)

What Topics Are Covered on the ISEE? The ISEE assesses a student’s readiness for independent school through a range of academic subjects tailored to their grade level. Across all levels—Primary, Lower, Middle, and Upper—the test includes five main sections: Verbal Reasoning (vocabulary and logic), Quantitative Reasoning (math-based problem-solving), Reading Comprehension (passage analysis), Mathematics Achievement (core…

SAT vs ACT

SAT vs ACT

Should I take both the SAT and ACT? When it comes to college admissions, many students wonder if taking both the SAT and ACT will improve their chances. While colleges accept either test equally, taking both can offer strategic advantages—especially if you’re unsure which format better highlights your strengths. By understanding how the tests differ…