The Cognitive Assessment: Understanding Your Child’s Potential

As part of the admissions process, many schools require a one-on-one cognitive evaluation conducted by a licensed psychologist. Unlike traditional academic tests, this assessment does not measure reading, writing, or math skills; instead, it provides a snapshot of a child’s innate intellectual abilities and how they approach new problems. 

Commonly Used Assessments

The specific test administered depends on your child’s age. We administer:

• WISC-V (Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children): Used for students ages 6 to 16. 

• WAIS-V (Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children): Used for students over age 16.

What the Evaluation Measures

We look at several "domains" of intelligence (IQ), including: 

• Verbal Comprehension: How a child understands and uses language to solve problems.

• Visual-Spatial Processing: The ability to understand physical relationships and solve puzzles with blocks or pictures.

• Fluid Reasoning: The capacity to identify patterns and use logic to solve unfamiliar tasks.

• Working Memory: The ability to hold and manipulate information in the mind.

• Processing Speed: How quickly and accurately a child performs simple or repetitive tasks. 

Why Schools Require This One-on-One Session

• Objective Insight: IQ scores are compared to a national sample of same-aged peers, providing a standardized measure of academic aptitude.

• Behavioral Observations: Beyond the score, the we provides a narrative report on the child’s focus, frustration tolerance, and engagement. These qualities that are just as important to the admissions committee as the numbers.

• Ensuring the Right Environment: This data helps the admission committee ensure their curriculum matches your child’s learning profile, allowing them to support their strengths and address any areas for growth.