Do they use a pencil for the 3-5 year olds?

Anonymous wrote:Given how high scores around here tend to be, what counts as “low” for something like processing speed (low enough to merit a red flag)? 60% 40%

Please don't try to use this test's processing speed to red flag anything. My DC got 29th percentile in processing speed at age 5 (99th overall), because he was terrible at using a pencil and didn't get that it was a timed section (i.e., no errors, just didn't do many of the questions and put the pencil down in between each one). The tester said it was very normal, and that they should't even have that section on the test at that age. DC has no learning issues at all. SSAT scores in 8th grade were also in the top percentiles.

If issues other than this test suggest learning challenges, go get a real evaluation that will actually target the issue. This test isn't meant for that.

Anonymous wrote:I hate to break it to all of you but the Wppsi is the least predictive of all the tests. It is the most subjective and subject to kids moods, vagaries of what they had for breakfast etc. The SSAT for 9th grade admissions starts to get real.

That's for sure!

Anonymous wrote:Given how high scores around here tend to be, what counts as “low” for something like processing speed (low enough to merit a red flag)? 60% 40%

I don't think the 3 year old version of the test calculates processing speed, just FYI. Correct me somebody if I'm wrong.

Given how high scores around here tend to be, what counts as “low” for something like processing speed (low enough to merit a red flag)? 60% 40%

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I suspect that the WPPSI is used primarily to weed out or flag kids with learning disabilities, developmental delays or behavior problems. Testing a 4-year-old is utterly ridiculous. It's not a predictor of success or failure in life.

This. It's not just the scores but the 'profile' of the scores. If scores are overall high, but are low on a couple of things (including processing speed), they fear learning disabilities and your child is tossed. Of course, that profile does not mean by any stretch that the child has an LD, it's just that some kids with LDs have that profile. But the schools aren't wortied about being fair to applicants; they just want to minimize their risks and have plenty of kids to choose from.

I wouldn't generalize to "tossed." You would be surprised what other positive and desirable characteristics in an application can do. The visit is also huge. If the WPPSI score is slightly suspect, but the accompanying narrative is good and the kid is a standout in the visit, oddities can be overcome.

Anonymous wrote:I suspect that the WPPSI is used primarily to weed out or flag kids with learning disabilities, developmental delays or behavior problems. Testing a 4-year-old is utterly ridiculous. It's not a predictor of success or failure in life.

This. It's not just the scores but the 'profile' of the scores. If scores are overall high, but are low on a couple of things (including processing speed), they fear learning disabilities and your child is tossed. Of course, that profile does not mean by any stretch that the child has an LD, it's just that some kids with LDs have that profile. But the schools aren't wortied about being fair to applicants; they just want to minimize their risks and have plenty of kids to choose from.

Anonymous wrote:I suspect that the WPPSI is used primarily to weed out or flag kids with learning disabilities, developmental delays or behavior problems. Testing a 4-year-old is utterly ridiculous. It's not a predictor of success or failure in life.

I agree completely. It is about yield and making the class they want in terms of diversity of racial and ethnic background, family structure and sometimes, the educational or professional background of parents. I know children later diagnosed with LDs or with LDs at the time of the WPPSI that scored in the 50s and 60s. Got in for other reasons and continued in school with supports. In my own experience, they either want you or they don't, and whether the WPPSI is fantastic or meh won't make a bit of difference.

I suspect that the WPPSI is used primarily to weed out or flag kids with learning disabilities, developmental delays or behavior problems. Testing a 4-year-old is utterly ridiculous. It's not a predictor of success or failure in life.

Anonymous wrote:Before anyone gets too excited... there are many testers in this town who give *everyone* a score in the high 90s. Just ask your admissions directors- they see all the scores and see who is giving them.

If testers are really "giving" clients inappropriate scores I hope the schools are reporting them to the local psychology licensing board. It is curious why this would be allowed to continue if it is, in fact, such common knowledge. It's a straightforward and serious ethics violation.

My 3 year old who could read did not score well. We did absolutely no prep in advance. Don't remember the number but the overall score was "average". He didn't like being left with strangers and was clingy with me at the beginning. He also didn't sleep well the night before and was not really in the mood to participate. He told the tester repeatedly he was tired. The tester realized the results didn't really make sense so she gave him some other tests that were not part of the scored test. He scored Superior in those parts, but they could not be included in his overall test results. Despite his average test score, our son was accepted for PreK in a good private school. After he read an entire book to the admissions officer during his playdate, I think they realized that the test was silly.

One of my kids scored in the 50% and the other in the 99%. They are both making As and Bs at a popular private. My low scorer has ADHD and my high scorer isn’t very motivated. These scores are meaningless.

Anonymous wrote:My DS score in 98th percentile when he was 4 1/2. He's bright, but so are most of the other kids in his class. He's now 6 and still eats his own boogers, so I don't think we have the next Einstein on our hands.

Opportunity, drive, connections and a bit of luck are what really lead to success.

Drive? What would that mean in this context??

I hate to break it to all of you but the Wppsi is the least predictive of all the tests. It is the most subjective and subject to kids moods, vagaries of what they had for breakfast etc. The SSAT for 9th grade admissions starts to get real.

My DS score in 98th percentile when he was 4 1/2. He's bright, but so are most of the other kids in his class. He's now 6 and still eats his own boogers, so I don't think we have the next Einstein on our hands.

Opportunity, drive, connections and a bit of luck are what really lead to success.