The Davidson Young Scholars Qualification Criteria was developed to identify the extreme end of the gifted population. In order to qualify for the Young Scholars Program an applicant’s scores must meet or exceed the criteria listed below. Test reports are reviewed in the context of the entire application to determine eligibility. At least one of the tests submitted must have been administered no more than two years prior to the application date.
Two of the following three options are required:
Option #1 Individually Administered IQ Test: A full written report for an individually administered IQ (intelligence) test with at least one qualifying score from the tests listed below. A full written report often includes the tester’s observations, tests administered, test scores, summary and explanation of findings, and recommendations. Please note: Test reports must be uploaded in the Online Application System as PDF files.
ACCEPTED INDIVIDUALLY ADMINISTERED IQ TESTS
| Test Name |
Minimum Score Guidelines |
| Stanford-Binet-V or Stanford-Binet-IV (SB-V or SB-IV) |
Standard score 145+ (99.9th percentile) on at least one of the following sections: Verbal, Non-Verbal or Full Scale |
| Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-IV (WISC-IV) |
Standard score 145+ (99.9th percentile) on at least one of the following sections: Verbal Comprehension, Perceptual Reasoning, General Ability Index (GAI), or Full Scale |
| Wechsler Preschool & Primary Scale of Intelligence – III (WPPSI-III) |
Standard score 150+ (99.9th percentile) on at least one of the following sections: Verbal, Performance or Full Scale |
| Woodcock-Johnson Cognitive Battery-III (WJ-III Cog) |
Standard score 150+ (99.9th percentile) on General Intellectual Ability |
| Differential Abilities Scale-II (DAS-II) |
Standard Score 145+ (99.9th percentile) on at least one of the following sections: General Conceptual Ability, Verbal Ability, or Nonverbal Reasoning |
Option #2 Individually Administered Achievement Testing or Talent Search/College Placement Test: A full written report or complete copies of an individually administered achievement or Talent Search/College Placement test with qualifying scores from the tests listed below. A full written report often includes the tester’s observations, tests administered, test scores, summary and explanation of findings, and recommendations. Please note: Test reports must be uploaded in the Online Application System as PDF files.ACCEPTED INDIVIDUALLY ADMINISTERED ACHIEVEMENT TESTS
| Test Name |
Minimum Score Guidelines |
| Kaufman Test of Educational Achievement-II (KTEA-II) |
Standard score 145+ (99.9th percentile) on at least one of the following sections: Reading, Math or Total Battery |
| Wechsler Individual Achievement Test - II or Wechsler Individual Achievement Test-III (WIAT – II or WIAT - III) |
Standard score 145+ (99.9th percentile) on at least one of the following sections: Total Reading, Total Mathematics, Total Written Language, or Total Composite |
| Woodcock-Johnson Test of Achievement-III (WJ-III Ach) |
Standard score 145+ (99.9th percentile) on at least one of the following sections: Broad Reading, Broad Math, Broad Written Language, or Total Achievement |
ACCEPTED TALENT SEARCH/COLLEGE PLACEMENT TESTS
| Test Name |
Minimum Score Guidelines |
SAT
http://sat.collegeboard.com/home |
| SAT |
Grade 7 |
Grade 8 |
Grade 9 |
Grade 10 |
| Verbal/Crit. Reading |
590 |
630 |
650 |
700 |
| Math |
630 |
680 |
700 |
720 |
| Combined |
1220 |
1310 |
1350 |
1420 | At least one of the scores listed must meet the minimum score criteria defined above. The Combined score does not include writing.
|
ACT
http://www.actstudent.org/ |
| ACT |
Grade 7 |
Grade 8 |
Grade 9 |
Grade 10 |
| English |
26 |
28 |
30 |
32 |
| Math |
25 |
27 |
30 |
33 |
| Reading |
28 |
30 |
32 |
34 |
| Science Reasoning |
24 |
26 |
28 |
30 |
| Composite |
24 |
26 |
28 |
30 | The composite score plus two subject test scores must meet the minimum score criteria.
|
Explore
http://www.actstudent.org/explore/ |
|
EXPLORE |
Grade 3 |
Grade 4 |
Grade 5 |
Grade 6 |
| English |
16 |
19 |
22 |
23 |
| Math |
14 |
16 |
18 |
21 |
| Reading |
16 |
18 |
21 |
23 |
| Science Reasoning |
16 |
18 |
20 |
22 |
| Composite |
15 |
17 |
20 |
22 | The composite score plus two subject test scores must meet the minimum score criteria
|
OPTION #3 A portfolio of work samples: A portfolio consists of at least four academic work samples that clearly demonstrate the applicant’s advanced abilities in academic areas of strength including math, writing, reading, science, or social studies. Please submit independent work that is completed without the assistance of teachers or parents. The Review Committee prefers handwritten examples as they allow them to better gauge ability and independence. Typed work with grades and teacher comments can be included as scanned PDF files. Work must be at least 2-3 grade levels above age peers to qualify for the Young Scholars Program. Videos demonstrating the applicant’s academic abilities can also be submitted as *.wmv files no larger than 75MB (video help page). Please include the applicant’s age and grade level at the time of completion, as well as the circumstances of the work (i.e. if it was completed independently or as part of a school project, how many times the work was revised, how and why the applicant completed this particular piece of work, etc.). All work samples must be uploaded in the Online Application System as PDFs.
*Applicants must meet or exceed the qualification criteria on two of the three options outlined above
to qualify for the Young Scholars Program.
If you cannot access testing due to financial constraints, you may submit a portfolio of work samples in place of testing.
For more information, please visit the Frequently Asked Questions about the Young Scholars program and application process.
Qualifying Test and Score Guidelines last updated August 2009
This page last Updated April 2013
THIS GUIDE MAY NOT BE REPRINTED WITHOUT WRITTEN PERMISSION FROM THE DAVIDSON INSTITUTE FOR TALENT DEVELOPMENT.
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