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 2025-26 school year is now closed. 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
- Davidson-specific Iowa Test of Basic Skills (ITBS) through the Davidson Institute partnership with Northwestern University’s Center for Talent Development (CTD)
- Kaufman Test of Educational Achievement - Second or Third Edition (KTEA-3)
- PSAT 8/9, PSAT 10 & PSAT/NMSQT
- Pre-ACT administered 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 - Third Normative Update or Fourth Edition (WJ-III NU or 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
- Differential Ability Scales - Second Edition (DAS-II)
- Kaufman Test of Educational Achievement - 2nd or 3rd Edition (KTEA-II or KTEA-3)
- PSAT 8/9
- PSAT 10 & PSAT/NMSQT
- 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 - Third Normative Update or Fourth Edition (WJ-III NU or WJ-IV Ach)
Applicants applying for single-course enrollment
Must show a qualifying score on a test listed below 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 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.
Applicants must provide scores that meet or exceed at least 3 out of the 5 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 |
Differential Ability Scales - Second Edition (DAS-II)
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
Davidson-specific Iowa Test of Basic Skills (ITBS)
Must be administered through the Davidson Institute partnership with Northwestern University’s Center for Talent Development (CTD). 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. Scores can be used to apply to the Young Scholars program, as well as other Davidson programs. More information and registration.
Applicants must provide scores that meet or exceed at least three of the scores indicated below. The Davidson-specific ITBS must be administered within the past year. Only the Grade 5 version of the Davidson-specific ITBS may be used for a Davidson Academy Online application.
| ITBS | Grade 5 |
|---|---|
| Reading | 311 |
| Written Expression | 332 |
| Math | 305 |
| Science | 318 |
Kaufman Test of Educational Achievement - 2nd or 3rd Edition (KTEA-II or 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 three years. All applicants can submit this testing.
Applicants must provide scores that meet or exceed one of the scores indicated in the following table with their age-based grade.
| PSAT 8/9 | Grade 5 | Grade 6 | Grade 7 | Grade 8 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RW | 580 | 610 | 650 | 700 |
| Math | 540 | 580 | 670 | 720 |
| Total | 1120 | 1150 | 1310 | 1410 |
PSAT 10 & PSAT/NMSQT
Administered within the past three years. All applicants can submit this testing.
Applicants must provide scores that meet or exceed one of the scores indicated in the following table with their age-based grade.
| PSAT 10 & PSAT/NMSQT | Grade 6 | Grade 7 | Grade 8 | Grade 9 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RW | 620 | 640 | 690 | 730 |
| Math | 630 | 660 | 710 | 750 |
| Total | 1250 | 1300 | 1400 | 1480 |
PreACT
Must be administered through the Davidson Institute partnership with Northwestern University’s Center for Talent Development (CTD). 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. Scores can be used to apply to the Young Scholars program, as well as other Davidson programs. More information and registration.
Must meet or exceed on at least three scores listed below.
| PreACT | Grade 5 |
|---|---|
| English | 24 |
| Math | 22 |
| Reading | 24 |
| Science | 20 |
| Composite | 23 |
Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT)
Administered within the past three years. All applicants can submit this testing.
Applicants must provide scores that meet or exceed one of the scores indicated in the following table with their age-based grade.
Applicants applying with the Official Practice SAT must be administered through the Davidson Institute partnership with Northwestern University’s Center for Talent Development (CTD). 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. Scores can be used to apply to the Young Scholars program, as well as other Davidson programs. More information and registration.
| 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 - Third Normative Update or Fourth Edition (WJ-III NU or 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