admissions testing

The pandemic changed many admissions practices for local independent schools. Please be sure to learn what is currently required. 

For many years, we have provided the required cognitive testing for students seeking admission to independent/private schools. Typically, applicants for Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten take the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence - Fourth Edition (WPPSI-IV -- pronounced whip-see), while Elementary applicants ages 6 and above are given the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children - Fifth Edition (WISC-V). Occasionally, schools would like to see academic subject testing or prefer that other assessment tools be used. We are happy to accommodate and can make suggestions for special populations (i.e., very young, devlopmentally delayed, multilingual, foreign-born, gifted children). We're flexible--please contact us with questions or preferences! 

*** We are only seeing returning families (i.e., you have tested with someone at WPA before) for admissions work ***

For our part at the start of COVID, we identified the need to find a standardized measure for our youngest participants that could be administered and scored with consistency by the tester and also engage examinees with ease and comfort. The psychometrics of the Reynolds Intellectual Assessment Scales (RIAS-2) and its abbreviated counterpart (RIST-2)  are strong and studies demonstrate good correlation with the Wechsler scales. Better yet, Reynolds results are less disparate across gender, racial, and cultural groups. Each test was specifically adapted for remote administration and research shows excellent equivalence. 

The WPPSI-IV, WISC-V, RIAS-2, RIST-2 and WJ-IV are interactive, diverse in their components, and created to be developmentally appropriate and engaging. They are standardized such that they should be administered the same way to each child and results are calculated by comparing young test-takers to same-aged peers who participated in test development. We are happy to discuss the psychometrics, so feel free to ask! Our evaluators aim to make the testing experience a positive one for all. We are decidedly child-focused in our approach and because we know that performance is enhanced by comfort and impeded by stress and worry, we genuinely pay attention to each young student's unique needs and styles.

Expertise in test administration allows us to support children to do their very best! Experienced clinical judgment and knowledge shows in our methods as well as in observations and analysis offered through informative, personalized reports. During this challenging time period, we are spending more time with families up front to prepare and create an environment that promotes success. We are able to keep 1:1 testing time down, which guards against fatigue, but our professional time-involvement has increased. Fees include all preparation, virtual set up and mailing record forms in advance if indicated, test administration, report writing, and report distribution.                                                                                                                              

$350 for Reynolds Intellectual Screening Test, second edition (RIST-2 virtual only)  age 3
$450 for Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence--Fourth Edition (WPPSI-IV in-person only) age 3
$500 for Reynolds Intellectual Assessment Scales, second edition (RIAS--virtual only)
          or Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence--Fourth Edition 
(WPPSI-IV in-person onlyages 4 & 5
$550 for Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, Fifth Edition (WISC-V) ages 6 & up (offered in-person)
$600 for Woodcock Johnson-IV (WJ-IV Achievement) academic/educational testing -- most ages  

Expediting fee (for deadlines within four business days) is an additional $75. 

availability: Children perform at their peak in the morning. We encourage families to select an appointment time that is most in sync with the young student's typical schedule. Testing is offered most mornings Monday through Saturday (8:00 am to 12:00 noon). 

response time: During the busiest points in the admissions cycle, it may take up to two weeks to receive results. However, in most cases, you will receive a detailed report about your child's performance within a few days of assessment. Selecting the expediting option (+ $75.00 when available) guarantees results within four business days.

Please call our office at 202-374-5756 or send us an e-mail ([email protected]).  If you are a returning family, we are happy to help you find an optimal testing time and encourage you to consider when your child is most alert and engaged in the morning.  Payment is required for confirmation and made only by secure QuickBooks ACH transfer. 

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location

we are available to come to your school or business

office hours

individual psychologist's hours vary & appointments are always required

Monday:

8:00 am-5:00 pm

Tuesday:

8:00 am-5:00 pm

Wednesday:

8:00 am-5:00 pm

Thursday:

8:00 am-5:00 pm

Friday:

8:00 am-5:00 pm

Saturday:

seasonal

Sunday:

Closed

feel free to contact us!

We are out-of-network psychological assessment providers who do not offer therapy. To get in our testing queue, click through the client portal tab.