Understanding Your Child’s Evaluation Results: A Guide to Test Scores

The Two Scores You’ll See Most Often

Most evaluation reports use two main types of scores: Standard Scores and Percentile Ranks. Understanding these is the key to interpreting everything else.

Standard Scores

Standard scores allow us to compare your child’s performance to other children their age. The most common standard score has:

• An average of 100
• A standard deviation of 15
• Most children (about 68%) score between 85-115

Percentile Ranks

Percentiles tell you what percentage of same-age children scored at or below your child’s score. For example, if your child scored at the 75th percentile, they performed as well as or better than 75% of children their age.

What About “Grade Equivalent” Scores?

You might also see grade equivalent scores like “4.5” (fourth grade, fifth month). These are commonly misunderstood.

Understanding Cognitive Scores (IQ Testing)

If your child received cognitive testing (like the WISC-V), you’ll see scores for different areas of thinking:

• Verbal Comprehension — Language-based reasoning
• Visual Spatial — Understanding visual information
• Fluid Reasoning — Problem-solving with new information
• Working Memory — Holding information in mind while using it
• Processing Speed — How quickly tasks are completed accurately

The Full Scale IQ (FSIQ) is an overall score, but the individual index scores often tell a more useful story—especially when there are significant differences between areas.

What Do These Numbers Mean for My Child?

Numbers alone don’t tell the whole story. What matters is:

1. The pattern across scores — Where are the strengths? Where are the struggles?
2. How scores relate to each other — Significant gaps between areas can indicate specific challenges
3. How scores connect to real-world functioning — Do the numbers match what you see at home and school?
4. What the scores mean for intervention — How can this information help your child?

Questions to Ask at Your Feedback Meeting

When you meet with the evaluator to discuss results, consider asking:

• “What are my child’s biggest strengths?”
• “Where are the most significant challenges?”
• “Are there any gaps between scores that are meaningful?”
• “Does my child qualify for an IEP or 504 Plan?”
• “What are the most important recommendations for school?”
• “What can we do at home to support our child?”

Remember: Your Child Is More Than Numbers

Test scores provide valuable information, but they’re just one piece of the puzzle. They don’t measure creativity, kindness, perseverance, humor, or the many other qualities that make your child who they are.

Use evaluation results as a tool—a way to understand how your child learns best and what supports they need to thrive. The goal isn’t to label or limit; it’s to unlock potential.