Stanford-Binet/HCES
(NYC)
Overview
The Stanford-Binet is a traditional intelligence test designed to assess your child’s IQ, or intelligence quotient. While the test includes both verbal and nonverbal sections, the exam skips around through different questions to best assess each child’s unique cognitive abilities, strengths and weaknesses. While the SB5 is typically administered one-on-one by psychologists around age 4-5 (especially for kids applying to a gifted and talented program or private school), children as young as two may be tested.
Timing
HCES Admissions typically starts in August and ends in November. One you apply, you have three weeks to make an appointment with an approved psychologist. You will be given four psychologists to choose from to make an appointment with. After the test, you will be notified if your child made it into round 2; however no scores will be provided. If you are given a round 2 date that date can not be changed for any reason including illness or even in case of family emergencies. You will be notified of the HCES decision in February; HCES takes 25 girls and boys and also has a small waitlist.
Test Structure
The Stanford-Binet IQ Test measures five cognitive abilities in both nonverbal and verbal formats, or 10 total subtests:
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Fluid Reasoning
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Knowledge
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Quantitative Reasoning
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Visual-Spatial Processing
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Working Memory (not administered by HCES)
Content
Stanford Binet has a complex set of both verbal and nonverbal subtests as outlined below. The format skips around between verbal and nonverbal keeping it both challenging and engaging for your children.
Administration
The Hunter College Elementary School uses the Stanford-Binet V test for entry into Kindergarten. Nearly 1,000 gifted students take this test – only the top 50 are admitted. Round I is administered 1-1 with psychologists and lasts about one hour. Round II is highly subjective and children are assigned to playgroups where they are assessed in a group and one-on-one. The playgroup is about 90 minutes long.
Scoring
Your child will be compared to kids born within the same 2 month band. No scores are provided for this test; HCES stopped giving score information about 3 years ago.