TerraNova InView Test: Everything You Need to Know
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The TerraNova InView Test is a cognitive abilities aptitude test that measures skills and abilities that are important for academic success. It is sometimes used as an entrance exam for gifted programs throughout the United States.
For example all second graders (and new students) in Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS), Montgomery County, Maryland are tested with Inview for gifted programs. Also a number of school districts in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Wyoming also use the Inview test to assess 2nd graders (and in some districts, 5th graders) for gifted and talented programs. Here we’ll explore everything you need to know about this assessment.
The InView Test Basics
The Terra Nova Inview Test is designed to assess students in grades 2-12. It is available in paper and pencil format only and contains five different twenty-item sections: sequences, analogies, quantitative reasoning, verbal reasoning-words, and verbal reasoning-context.
There are six levels to the test:
TerraNova InView Test Content
The test provides students with both a verbal and nonverbal score. The nonverbal score comes from the sequences, analogies, and quantitative reasoning sections.
Sequences: Students view a sequence, typically involving shapes and figures, and must select the object that logically completes the sequence. They are provided with four possible choices.
Analogies: Your child will be provided with three images. The first pair of images will have a specific relationship. Your child will have to determine the relationship between the first pair and then choose the image that has the same relationship with the third image.
There will be four images to choose from.
For example, a picture of an egg may appear next to a picture of an egg carton. The third image may be a crayon, and from the answer choices your child will need to select the crayon box.
Quantitative Reasoning: For these questions, your child will need to understand basic numerical concepts like “more,” “less,” “most,” and “least.” She will then need to be able to apply this understanding to images and figures. For example, she may be asked to determine which of four grids has the most black area shaded.
The verbal score is comprised of the verbal reasoning-words and verbal reasoning-context sections.
Verbal Reasoning-Words: This question type measures the ability to understand relationships between words.
For example, your child may be given a list of words like the following: “Cool, cold, freezing,” followed by, “Warm, ___, boiling.” Four choices would then be provided to fill in the blank, with the correct choice being “hot.”
Verbal Reasoning-Context: These questions involve the ability to make logical inferences based on provided information.
For example, your child may be given two statements such as, “Alice likes all of her teachers. Mrs. Lee is Alice’s teacher.” Based on these statements, your child would need to choose the most logical conclusion from a list of four choices. In this case, the correct answer would be, “Alice likes Mrs. Lee.”
TerraNova InView Test Scores
After your child takes the TerraNova InView test, you will receive a score report with her NPA (percentile by age) and NPG (percentile by grade), both overall and for each individual section. Percentiles range from 1-99 and represent your child’s performance compared to a national sample of children in the same grade and of the same age. For example, if your child scores in the 90th percentile, she scored as well or higher than 90% of children in her age and/or grade group.
You will also receive a CSI (Cognitive Skills Index) that provides a measurement of your child’s overall academic aptitude, based on the cognitive skills assessed with this test. The CSI has a ceiling of 141, a mean of 100, and a standard deviation of 16. Typically, a child is considered “gifted” if she scores a 132 or higher.
The TerraNova InView test scores that qualify for admission to gifted programs vary by school district. In many cases, your child will be required to score in the 97th percentile overall. However, it is always best to call your district and ask about qualifying test scores in order to know for sure.
In many cases, the TerraNova InView test is administered as a component of the TerraNova 3rd Edition, an achievement test that measures abilities in core academic subjects. If this is the case, your child will receive an Anticipated Score and an Achievement Score. The Anticipated Score is an average of what a student with your child’s age, grade, and ability level should be expected to achieve. The Achievement Score is your child’s actual performance on the test.
Comparing the Anticipated Score and Achievement Score can give you an idea of whether or not your child is reaching her full potential academically. If the two scores are close, your child is making expected progress. Scores that are significantly different from expected are indicated with “above” or “below” on the score report.
Benefits of the TerraNova InView Test
The TerraNova InView Test provides an accurate and reliable measurement of deductive, inductive, and quantitative reasoning abilities, all of which are crucial to academic achievement. For this reason, it gives teachers, parents, and schools insightful information about student skills that can be a valid predictor of the student’s academic capability and success. It is a useful tool to identify students for placement in the most appropriate learning group.
How to Succeed on the TerraNova InView Test
Assessments such as this one are meant to be resistant to preparation, but you can still help familiarize your child with the question types and build her confidence. Work on practice questions related to analogies, sequences, basic math concepts, word relationships, and inferences. Work test concepts like “more” and “less” into everyday conversation, or give your child a pair of words and ask her to determine how they are related.
Most importantly, remind your child that one test cannot fully measure her abilities and certainly not her worth as a person. Text anxiety can overwhelm children on test day and dramatically impact both their stress levels and their scores. Help your child feel prepared and confident about the test without putting too much pressure on her.
Hopefully we’ve answered all of your questions about the TerraNova Inview test. Begin practicing about two months prior to the test to give your child the best chance of success and, if applicable, admittance to your district’s gifted program.
