Is the WPPSI and the ERB the same test?

[Anonymous]

I always hear people talking about the ERB, but the school apps ask for the WPPSI. Is it the same test?

[Anonymous]

No.

The ERB is a standardized test that measures academic skills such as reading, writing and math. It is often given by public schools as a way to measure student achievement, in much the same way that public schools use the DC-CAS or other statewide testing. ERB is the name or the organization that makes the test, and it's also the organization that makes the SSAT, one of the two admissions tests that are used by most middle and high school programs. The SSAT (and ISEE which is the other test) are "aptitude tests" in that rather than measuring achievement they attempt to measure potential (like the SAT), in reality they probably measure a mixture of the two. The ERB and SSAT are fill in the bubble type tests, with an essay.

The WPPSI is an intelligence test, and it's designed for children under 7. It yields and IQ score, although in admissions people tend to talk about percentiles. The WPPSI is given in an attempt to judge a child's academic potential. For children 7 and over the equivalent to the WPPSI is the WISC. Schools that require the WPPSI for young children usually require the WISC in the elementary grades. The WPPSI and WISC are given individually by an adult sitting across the table from the child, asking children to answer questions, point to pictures, arrange blocks in patterns etc . . .

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No.

The ERB is a standardized test that measures academic skills such as reading, writing and math. It is often given by public schools as a way to measure student achievement, in much the same way that public schools use the DC-CAS or other statewide testing. ERB is the name or the organization that makes the test, and it's also the organization that makes the SSAT, one of the two admissions tests that are used by most middle and high school programs. The SSAT (and ISEE which is the other test) are "aptitude tests" in that rather than measuring achievement they attempt to measure potential (like the SAT), in reality they probably measure a mixture of the two. The ERB and SSAT are fill in the bubble type tests, with an essay.

The WPPSI is an intelligence test, and it's designed for children under 7. It yields and IQ score, although in admissions people tend to talk about percentiles. The WPPSI is given in an attempt to judge a child's academic potential. For children 7 and over the equivalent to the WPPSI is the WISC. Schools that require the WPPSI for young children usually require the WISC in the elementary grades. The WPPSI and WISC are given individually by an adult sitting across the table from the child, asking children to answer questions, point to pictures, arrange blocks in patterns etc . . .

This is one of the best descriptions I've read yet about these various test. What is the IQ equivalent of a 99.9 percentile on the WPPSI?

[Anonymous]

Over 145... but none of this is set in stone.

[Anonymous]

What's considered a good score for DC schools?

[Anonymous]

PP: Thank you for your helpful description. I appreciate the time it took.

[Anonymous]

Where it gets confusing is that in NYC, the ERB is the standard test given to applicants for Kindergarten and I believe it is a modified version WPPSI. I understand the difference later on, but for children under 7, it is trickier to define.

According to NY's urbanbaby website: "the ERB [is] simply the WPPSI–III (Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence ) for kids 3-7, then the WISC (Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children) for kids 6-16."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Where it gets confusing is that in NYC, the ERB is the standard test given to applicants for Kindergarten and I believe it is a modified version WPPSI. I understand the difference later on, but for children under 7, it is trickier to define.

According to NY's urbanbaby website: "the ERB [is] simply the WPPSI–III (Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence ) for kids 3-7, then the WISC (Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children) for kids 6-16."

I''m the PP (above). Here's another explanation (found on urbanbaby). "The ERB office admnisters a test called the ECAA for admissions to preK through 5th grade. The test for younger grades contains 8 subtests from the WPPSI. It is not the full WPPSI. It is commonly referred to on UB and IRL as the ERB, but it isn't called that as theERB office administers many types of tests." I have read over and over that the ERB for kids under 7 is made up from 8 (out of 10) WPPSI components.

[Anonymous]

is this test administered only by schools or can one enroll independently to see what my student's level is?

[Anonymous]

Test results are very unpredictable. Our daughter scored in mid-70s on WISC but scored across the board in the very high 90s on ERB using independent school scale. Her ERB scores are far more reflective of her school performance. While these tests are supposed to test different things, there really is no way to separate the 2. Our daughter attends a non-Big 3 school, and certainly studies but by no means excessively. My point is simply be careful and do not read too much into these scores.