Navigating admissions testing season: A guide for parents
Introduction to admissions testing
As families begin exploring academic options for the upcoming school year, many find themselves navigating a mix of excitement and curiosity. Whether you are considering private school applications, exploring Advanced Academic Programs (AAP), or preparing for a placement retest, this season often comes with many decisions.
If your child’s prospective school has requested admissions testing, such as the WISC-V, WPPSI-IV, or WJ-IV, you may be curious about what that process involves and how to best support your child. With the right knowledge and perspective, admissions testing can become a manageable, and even empowering, part of the journey.
What is admissions testing and why do schools sometimes request it?
You may be wondering, what is admissions testing? Why do some schools request it, some make them optional, and some do not require them at all?
Admissions testing offers schools a valuable snapshot of how a child learns and where their current skills fall within their stage of development. These assessments are not designed to label children or predict their long-term potential. Instead, they give admissions teams a small but meaningful view of a child’s learning and readiness in real time. Testing is only one piece of the puzzle and is considered alongside several other important components such as interviews, teacher recommendations, and school visits. Together, they help schools form a well-rounded understanding of your child as a learner and as a potential member of their community.
Schools may request these assessments because they:
Offer insight into reasoning, language, and early academic skills
Show how children approach new tasks or challenges
Help identify whether the school’s teaching style will be a good fit
Assist in creating well-balanced classrooms with a range of strengths
What does this testing tell you?
Admissions assessments can provide meaningful, developmentally appropriate information about your child as a learner. These assessments can reveal:
Cognitive strengths such as memory, problem-solving, and reasoning
Learning behaviors, like persistence, focus, flexibility, and how they handle frustration
Emerging academic skills, depending on age (such as early literacy or numeracy)
Comfort level in new or structured situations
Readiness for specific school environments or expectations
This information can be validating for families. Many parents walk away with a better understanding of how their child thinks and what helps them thrive. Children can walk away feeling proud of their effort and more confident in their abilities.
What this testing does not tell you
These assessments are just one component of the much larger admissions picture and it is equally important to understand the limitations of admissions testing, such as:
Your child’s full personality, creativity, kindness, humor, or emotional intelligence
Their future potential, long-term academic trajectory, or who they will grow up to be
Their value or capabilities compared to peers
Comprehensive answers about learning differences or diagnoses (those require more in-depth evaluations)
Put simply: testing provides you with one piece of the puzzle, not the whole puzzle. It offers a helpful snapshot, but it does not define your child.
How can this testing be helpful?
Beyond admissions decisions, these assessments can offer benefits for both parents and children:
Clarity about learning strengths and styles
Guidance on classroom environments that may fit your child well
Early insight into areas where your child might benefit from additional support
A clearer picture of where their current skills are in development
A positive experience where the child feels proud of their effort and focus
Many families appreciate having this information as they make thoughtful choices about schooling.
Best ways to prepare
You do not need to prepare your child academically for admissions testing. In fact, doing so can create unnecessary stress and can impact the true reflection of a child’s skill set. What matters most is that your child feels rested and supported.
Here are gentle, effective ways to prepare:
Keep routines predictable and steady: a restful night of sleep and a good breakfast.
Advance notice: Let your child know ahead of time that they’ll be doing this activity. Don’t wait until the morning of or the day before.
Use simple, upbeat language to set expectations: “You’re going to meet someone new and do activities like puzzles and pictures. It’s a chance to learn about all the cool things your brain can do! Just try your best.”
Avoid making it a big deal: Your calm reassurance sets the tone.
Celebrate effort over outcomes: Praise bravery, focus, curiosity, and resilience - qualities that matter far beyond testing day.
Final thoughts
Admissions testing is just one small moment in your child’s educational journey. The goal isn’t perfection; it’s the chance to understand a child’s strengths and growth areas. With steady routines and the right expectations, you and your child can approach the process with confidence.
If you would like to learn more about what the admissions testing experience looks like, reach out to us at Expand Psychology and we would be happy to help guide you through each step of admissions testing and help address any questions or concerns you have.
Dr. Gabriella Iskin is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist and the Testing Director at Expand Psychology, providing integrative therapy and psychological assessment to individuals from adolescence through adulthood.