Closeup detail of Dr. Christine Howard's office, including a white cup holding colorful pencils, a white elephant-shaped planter with succulents, and part of a clock on a wooden surface.

supporting your child’s application for private school admissions and gifted programs

IQ Testing for Children & Teens in Reston, VA

Schedule a Free Consultation

Testing for private schools and gifted programs

As a licensed clinical psychologist with over 15 years of experience, I can help you get clear and accurate information about how your child thinks and learns. I offer IQ testing and academic achievement evaluations for children and teens. My evaluations meet all requirements for private school applications and gifted programs, including Fairfax County’s Full-Time Advanced Academic Programs (AAP). 

when it’s needed

Purple asterisk symbol with rounded edges.

Why families request testing

01 private school applications

Many private schools require IQ and academic achievement testing as part of their application.

02 gifted and talented programs

IQ testing is typically required for admission to gifted programs, such as Fairfax County's Full-Time AAP.

03 understanding your child’s abilities

IQ and achievement tests reveal how your child thinks and learns. This insight can help you make informed decisions about your child’s education. 

The tests I use

A 7-year-old boy with red hair playing with colorful transparent building blocks at a black table in Dr. Howard's office.

IQ Tests

An IQ test measures your child's intellectual abilities, including how they think, reason, and solve problems. The tests I use, the Wechsler Intelligence Scales, are the most widely used and researched IQ tests in the world.

The specific test your child will take depends on their age:

  • Age 5: WPPSI-IV (Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence, Fourth Edition)

  • Ages 6 to 15: WISC-V (Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, Fifth Edition)

  • Age 16 and older: WAIS-5 (Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale, Fifth Edition)

The Wechsler tests are given one-on-one by a licensed psychologist. Your child sits across from me and we work through a series of tasks together. This format is a better fit for many children than an IQ test that is administered on a computer in a group setting. Children who are easily distracted tend to stay more focused when working directly with an adult. Children who feel anxious about testing often relax quickly in a one-on-one setting, especially when they feel comfortable with the examiner. 

School or office supplies including a yellow pH test strip pack, a black and silver pen, a yellow correction tape, a clear yellow highlighter, a wooden ruler, a mechanical pencil, a set of colored pencils, a protractor and a ruler on graph paper, a green spiral notebook, and a box of color filters or lenses on a white surface.

Academic Achievement Tests

Some private schools require an academic achievement test in addition to an IQ test. Academic achievement tests measure what your child has learned in school, including their reading, writing, and math skills. I offer both the WIAT-4 (Wechsler Individual Achievement Test, Fourth Edition) and the KTEA-3 (Kaufman Test of Educational Achievement, Third Edition). If your child's application requires an achievement test, we will decide together which test is the best fit.

Like the Wechsler Intelligence Scales, achievement tests are given one-on-one by a licensed psychologist. Your child will read aloud, answer questions, solve math problems, and complete writing tasks while I observe and record their responses. Where an IQ test reveals how your child thinks and solves problems, an academic achievement test shows their current academic skills.

Dr. Christine Howard sits behind a black desk in her office, smiling and talking to a young boy with red hair, who is seated across from her. Dr. Howard and the boy work together to complete psychological testing.

the process

Testing Session

Testing takes 1.5 to 2 hours for an IQ test alone, or about 4 hours when we add academic achievement testing. I typically schedule testing in the morning, which is when children have the most mental energy and focus.

Before we begin testing, your child and I will spend time talking and getting to know each other. My goal is to help your child feel comfortable so they can show their true abilities. Each section of the test starts with instructions and practice items so your child fully understands what to do. To help your child stay focused, I build in regular breaks.

Written Report

Within two days of your child's testing session, you will receive a written report that includes everything you need for your child's school or program. The report contains a complete table of your child's scores and detailed explanations of what each score means. It provides valuable information about how your child thinks and learns.

Feedback Session

We will meet in person or online to review the results together. I will explain your child’s scores and what they mean for day-to-day learning. We will discuss your child’s strengths and where your child is likely to excel. We will also discuss which learning tasks are harder for your child and if there are any areas where extra support could help. Understanding these patterns helps you make informed decisions about your child’s education.

Why families choose to work with me

01
warm

Your child's comfort matters. I create a supportive, low-pressure environment so your child can do their best. Most children relax quickly and enjoy the testing session.

02
Experienced

I have over 15 years of experience evaluating children and teens. I don't delegate testing to students or technicians, so you get my full attention and expertise.

03
more than a score

I give you a clear understanding of your child's strengths and how they approach problems. Many parents tell me that after testing, things about their child that never quite made sense finally clicked into place.

Questions?

FAQs

  • Testing for Ages 6 and Up:  

    • IQ test (WISC-V): $700

    • Academic achievement test (WIAT-4 or KTEA-3): $850

    • IQ test and academic achievement test: $1,500

    Testing for 5-Year-Olds: 

    • IQ test (WPPSI-IV): $550

    • Academic achievement test (WIAT-4 or KTEA-3): $700

    • IQ test and academic achievement test: $1,200 

    Each fee includes the testing session, written report, and feedback meeting.

  • I do not accept insurance. Most insurance providers do not cover admissions testing because it is considered educational rather than medical.

  • Application deadlines are important, and I want to make sure you have what you need in time. During our phone consultation, please tell me your child's application deadline. I will share my available testing dates and tell you exactly when the report will be ready for each one. I will only schedule your child’s testing if I know the report will be ready before your deadline.

  • Results are most accurate when a child feels comfortable, so I prioritize helping children feel at ease. I start the testing session by talking with your child about their interests or things they enjoy. Spending time getting to know each other before starting the test helps kids feel more comfortable. I also schedule plenty of time for your child’s session, so your child won’t feel rushed. Children typically settle in and are ready to get started after a few minutes of talking. 

    If your child tends to have test anxiety or feel nervous in new situations, let me know during our phone consultation. I'll ask what helps your child feel most comfortable and adjust my approach accordingly. Most parents are pleasantly surprised by how much their children enjoy the testing session.

  • No studying or practice is needed for these tests. Practicing test-style questions beforehand can distort the results and make them less useful to you and your child's school.

    Each part of the test begins with detailed instructions and practice items. I will make sure that your child understands exactly what to do before they start. There is no need to worry about your child going in unprepared.

    The best thing you can do is make sure your child gets a good night's sleep and eats a good breakfast. Children perform noticeably better when they are well-rested and not hungry. Your child is encouraged to bring water and a snack to the session.

    When talking to your child about the appointment, describe it as coming to do some activities, similar to things they do in school. It helps to avoid calling it either a "test" or "play." The word "test" can make some children anxious, and "play" sets expectations that don't match what they will experience.

    One last important note: the WPPSI-IV, WISC-V, and WAIS-5 are each designed to be administered no more than once per year. If your child has taken any of these tests in the past 12 months, please let me know before we schedule.

  • The report belongs to you, and you decide who sees it. During our feedback session, we will review everything together privately. You can share the report with schools as part of your child's application, or you can keep it for yourself.

  • Contact me to schedule a free phone consultation. We will talk about your child's needs, answer any questions you have, and find a testing time that works for your family.

    You can reach me at: 

Colorful sharpened colored pencils arranged in a row with a white textured box and a black tape measure in the background.

ready to get started?

Contact me to learn more or schedule your child’s test.

Schedule a Free Consultation