Open the Accepted Tests below to review the testing and score requirements for each test. Some testing score requirements have a minimum grade level or a limited scope of grade levels accepted. For help with selecting the right test, please go to the Application & Admissions FAQ.
Accepted Tests
The application for the 2026-27 school year is currently open until January 15, 2026. Please see our Eligibility Criteria and How to Apply for important information pertaining to application requirements. Applicants only need to submit one of the accepted tests.
Single-course enrollment applicants must submit qualifying test scores in the subject for which they are applying.
The published testing criteria were established in consultation with national academic talent search organizations and other professionals in gifted education and are updated every year.
General Testing Submission Requirements
Applicants who are 12 and younger
Applicants who are 12 years of age or younger at the time of application are required to submit scores from one of the following:
- ACT / Official Practice ACT through the Davidson Institute partnership with Northwestern University’s Center for Talent Development (CTD)
- Pre-ACT administered through the Davidson Institute partnership with Northwestern University’s Center for Talent Development (CTD)
- Kaufman Test of Educational Achievement - Third Edition (KTEA-3)
- PSAT 8/9 / Practice PSAT 8/9 through the Davidson Institute partnership with Northwestern University’s Center for Talent Development (CTD)
- Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) / Official Practice SAT through the Davidson Institute partnership with Northwestern University’s Center for Talent Development (CTD)
- Wechsler Individual Achievement Test - Fourth Edition (WIAT-IV)
- Woodcock-Johnson Tests of Achievement - Fourth Edition (WJ-IV Ach)
IQ testing submitted will be considered as supplemental information.
Applicants who are 13 and older
Applicants who are 13 years of age or older at the time of application may submit scores from one of the following:
- ACT / Official Practice ACT through the Davidson Institute partnership with Northwestern University’s Center for Talent Development (CTD)
- Differential Ability Scales - Second Edition Normative Update (DAS-II NU School Age)
- Kaufman Test of Educational Achievement - 3rd Edition (KTEA-3)
- Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) / Official Practice SAT through the Davidson Institute partnership with Northwestern University’s Center for Talent Development (CTD)
- Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scales - Fifth Edition (SB5)
- Wechsler Individual Achievement Test - Fourth Edition (WIAT-IV)
- Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children - Fifth Edition (WISC-V)
- Woodcock-Johnson Tests of Achievement - Fourth Edition (WJ-IV Ach)
- Woodcock-Johnson Tests of Cognitive Abilities - Fourth Edition (WJ-IV Cog)
Applicants applying for single-course enrollment
Applicants must submit a qualifying score on a test in the subject area for which they are applying. For example, applicants who are applying for an English course and are submitting an SAT test as a part of the application must meet the minimum score requirement in the EBRW category. Meeting the minimum score in Math or Total is not considered a qualifying score if the applicant is applying for a single course in English.
Applicants who are 12 years of age or younger must meet at least the 7th grade score in the subject area for which they are applying from one of the tests listed below:
Applicants who have previously applied and were declined admission
Applicants who were declined admission and wish to reapply must complete the current online application and may be required to upload updated testing and/or grade reports.
Accepted Tests
ACT Assessment (ACT)
Administered within the past three years. All applicants can submit this testing.
The Davidson Institute has partnered with Northwestern University’s Center for Talent Development (CTD) to offer the opportunity to take a proctored, practice version of this test. More information and registration.
Applicants must provide scores that meet or exceed at least three out of the five scores of those indicated in the following table with their age-based grade.
| ACT | Grade 6 | Grade 7 | Grade 8 | Grade 9 | Grade 10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| English | 28 | 31 | 33 | 35 | 36 |
| Math | 27 | 30 | 33 | 34 | 35 |
| Reading | 30 | 32 | 33 | 35 | 36 |
| Science Reasoning | 25 | 28 | 32 | 34 | 35 |
| Composite | 27 | 29 | 32 | 34 | 35 |
PreACT
Administered within the past one year.
Must be administered through the Davidson Institute partnership with Northwestern University’s Center for Talent Development (CTD).
Must meet or exceed on at least three out of the five scores listed below.
| PreACT | Grade 5 |
|---|---|
| English | 24 |
| Math | 22 |
| Reading | 24 |
| Science | 20 |
| Composite | 23 |
Differential Ability Scales - Second Edition Normative Update (DAS-II NU School Age)
Administered within the past five years. Only applicants 13 and older can submit this testing.
Standard score 145+ on at least one of the following:
- Verbal Ability
- Nonverbal Reasoning
- General Conceptual Ability
- Special Nonverbal Composite
Kaufman Test of Educational Achievement - 3rd Edition (KTEA-3)
Administered within the past five years. All applicants can submit this testing.
Standard score 145+ on at least two of the following:
- Reading Composite
- Math Composite
- Written Language Composite
- Comprehensive Achievement Composite
PSAT 8/9
Administered within the past one year.
The Davidson Institute has partnered with Northwestern University’s Center for Talent Development (CTD) to offer the opportunity to take a proctored, practice version of this test. More information and registration.
Applicants must provide scores that meet or exceed at least two of the scores indicated below.
| PSAT 8/9 | Grade 5 |
|---|---|
| RW | 580 |
| Math | 540 |
| Total | 1120 |
Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT)
Administered within the past three years. All applicants can submit this testing.
The Davidson Institute has partnered with Northwestern University’s Center for Talent Development (CTD) to offer the opportunity to take a proctored, practice version of this test. More information and registration.
Applicants must provide scores that meet or exceed at least two of the scores indicated in the following table with their age-based grade.
| SAT | Grade 6 | Grade 7 | Grade 8 | Grade 9 | Grade 10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RW | 630 | 670 | 700 | 750 | 780 |
| Math | 650 | 700 | 740 | 770 | 800 |
| Total | 1280 | 1370 | 1440 | 1520 | 1580 |
Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scales - Fifth Edition (SB5)
Administered within the past five years. Only applicants 13 and older can submit this testing.
Standard score 145+ on at least one of the following:
- Verbal
- Nonverbal
- Full Scale
Wechsler Individual Achievement Test - Fourth Edition (WIAT-IV)
Administered within the past five years. All applicants can submit this testing.
Standard score 145+ on at least two of the following:
- Total Reading Composite
- Mathematics Composite
- Written Expression Composite
- Total Achievement Composite
Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children - Fifth Edition (WISC-V)
Administered within the past five years. Only applicants 13 and older can submit this testing.
Standard score 145+ on at least one of the following:
- Full Scale IQ Score (FSIQ)
- General Ability Index (GAI)
- Expanded General Ability Index (EGAI)
- Nonverbal Index (NVI)
- Verbal Expanded Crystallized Index (VECI)
- Expanded Fluid Index (EFI)
OR at least two of the following:
- Verbal Comprehension (VCI)
- Visual Spatial (VSI)
- Fluid Reasoning (FRI)
- Quantitative Reasoning (QRI)
- Working Memory Index (WMI)
Woodcock-Johnson Tests of Achievement - Fourth Edition (WJ-IV Ach)
Administered within the past five years. All applicants can submit this testing.
Standard score 145+ on at least two of the following:
- Broad Reading
- Broad Math
- Broad Written Language
- Total Achievement
Woodcock-Johnson Tests of Cognitive Abilities - Fourth Edition (WJ-IV Cog)
Administered within the past five years. Only applicants 13 and older can submit this testing.
Standard score 145+ on General Intellectual Ability (GIA)