Testing Services at PATHS
Testing Services at PATHS
PATHS offers both Academy and Entrance Testing as well as IQ, Achievement, and Therapeutic Support Testing.
PATHS Academy and Entrance Testing
Academic admissions testing is required for all students entering PATHS academic classes for the first time, including the Academy program and individual math classes. Entrance testing assesses math and literacy skills and is $50 per student.
Academic admissions testing is not required for electives at PATHS, such as art, PE, STEM/STEAM, music, etc. Admission into the therapeutic program requires more specific testing. See below for more information.
IOWA Test: (grades K-12) All Academy students take the IOWA test in the spring. Students are assessed in reading, math, social studies, science, and language arts over multiple days. * IOWA testing registration opens in the spring. Look for an email from the office to register for IOWA testing this Spring.
PATHS IQ, Achievement, and Therapeutic Support Testing Options
Achievement and Therapeutic Support Testing options are available for all eligible students year-round. These achievement tests are open to students and non-students of PATHS. PATHS offers the:
Wechsler Intelligence Scale For Children–V (WISC-V; ages 6-16) intelligence testing:
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WISC testing is required for entrance into individual educational therapy.
Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Adults (WAIS-5; for Adults ages 17 and older):
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This is the latest and most advanced measure of adult cognitive ability based on neuroscience and David Wechsler's work and theories.
Woodcock-Johnson Achievement Test IV (WJ; ages 6 to adult): detailed academic and fluency testing available year-round
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WJ testing is required to enter individual educational therapy and small-group therapeutic classes.
SCAN3:C Test for Auditory Processing Disorders in Children (ages 5-12): helps scan for auditory processing disorders in children. Testing is individual, costs $95, and takes approximately one and a half hours.
Schedule Achievement, IQ, or Therapeutic Support Testing
Specific/Individual Test Information
Iowa Test: (Grades K-12)
All Academy students take the IOWA test in the Spring.
IOWA testing is available to other academic students as well. Students are assessed in groups in reading, math, social studies, science, and language arts over multiple days.
Woodcock-Johnson Achievement Test IV: (ages 6 to adult)
The Woodcock-Johnson Achievement IV (WJ) assesses academic skills, fluency, and knowledge using 20 subtests. The Woodcock-Johnson offers Percentile Ranks, Age Equivalent, and Grade Equivalent scores in the following areas:
Broad achievement, broad reading, basic reading skills, reading comprehension, reading fluency, reading rate, broad mathematics, math calculation skills, math problem-solving, broad written language, basic writing skills, written expression, academic skills, academic applications, academic fluency, academic knowledge (science, social studies, and humanities), phoneme-grapheme knowledge and reading vocabulary.
PATHS offers all three parallel forms of the Woodcock-Johnson IV Achievement test. The WJ can be repeated annually and is conducted yearly for educational therapy students. Students are tested individually with the Woodcock-Johnson; this costs $175 and takes approximately three hours.
Wechsler Intelligence Scales, WISC-V (ages 6-16) and WAIS 5 (age 17-adult):
The WISC-V and WAIS-5 are IQ tests. They contain 21 subtests that tap into several aspects of intelligence, such as verbal comprehension, visual-spatial, fluid reasoning, working memory, and processing speed. The tests are used for children and adults with learning disabilities through high giftedness and look for patterns of strengths and weaknesses. Testing is individual, costs $275, and takes approximately three hours. The results are valid for three years.
The WISC-V and WAIS-5, compared to the Woodcock-Johnson Achievement test, compare potential (IQ) and actual academic achievement. We also compare the WISC index scores to the full-scale IQ and each other. PATHS Instructors are educators; they do not diagnose. Patterns of strengths and weaknesses are used to recommend Educational Therapy or other classes at PATHS of Hampton Roads.
The WISC-V, WAIS-5, and WJ results are reviewed with the parent(s) over Zoom. After the meeting, PDF copies of the report(s) are emailed.
Families are welcome to use any reputable testing center for their testing needs. PATHS instructors are not trained in autism or other social/emotional, mental health, or behavioral needs and do not diagnose. Families should work with their pediatrician and other health providers to find programs that best meet each student's needs. Families are not obligated to use PATHS for testing for the Therapeutic Support Program; testing with PATHS does not guarantee entry into the program.