Qualification Criteria - Accepted Tests & Score Guidelines to Apply

Davidson Academy Reno & Davidson Academy Online

The 2021-2022 Online campus and Reno campus applications will open this fall.

Please refer to the information below regarding specific testing requirements for applicants who are:

• in 7th grade or above;
• in 6th grade or below;
• homeschooled;
• or reapplying.

The following tests are accepted as part of the Davidson Academy application process. Please note:

• Include an official, complete report with all pages attached. Reports for individually administered IQ and achievement tests often include the tester’s observations, tests administered, test scores, explanation of findings, and recommendations. For talent search/college placement tests, a copy of an electronic or paper official score report from the talent search organization, College Board or ACT can be submitted.
• Submitted testing needs to have been administered within two to five years, depending on the test, from the time of applying to obtain a current snapshot of the applicant’s intellectual and academic abilities.
• Individual testing reports should meet or exceed the testing criteria listed below for the grade level the applicant was at the time they took the test for the talent search/college placement testing options. Information provided by the parent or tester regarding the student’s testing experience or extenuating circumstances will be considered, although it will not override test scores that fall significantly below the scores listed.
• The published testing criteria were established in consultation with national academic talent search organizations and other professionals in gifted education.
• Following initial review of an application, additional testing may be requested of applicant.
• Detection of omitted or falsified information may result in terminating the application review process or revoking acceptance and/or enrollment.

For questions not addressed on these pages, please email applications@davidsonacademy.unr.edu. Emails will be answered within three to five business days.

ACCEPTED TESTS

INDIVIDUALLY ADMINISTERED IQ TESTS

(Administered during the past five years)

TALENT SEARCH/COLLEGE PLACEMENT TESTS

(Administered during the past two years)

Please see the Test Score Criteria for the SAT and ACT tests below.

Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT)

Qualified applicants must provide scores that meet or exceed the Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (EBRW) OR Math OR Combined scores as indicated in the following table.

ACT Assessment (ACT)

Qualified applicants must provide score reports that meet or exceed at least 3 out of 5 scores of those indicated in the following table.

For Students in Grade 7 or Above

Applicants who are Grade 7 or above may submit an SAT, ACT, or one of the IQ Test reports listed to meet the testing submission requirement. These students only need to submit one of these three tests.

For Students in Grade 6 or Below

Applicants who are 6th grade or below at the time of application are required to submit scores from either an Wechsler Individual Achievement Test (WIAT), Woodcock-Johnson Tests of Achievement (WJ), PSAT 8/9, ACT OR SAT test. IQ testing submitted will be considered as supplemental information. Please contact us at applications@davidsonacademy.unr.edu for more information. 

Applicants must meet or exceed on at least two of the PSAT scores listed.

PSAT

INDIVIDUALLY ADMINISTERED ACHIEVEMENT TESTS

For Homeschooled Students

Homeschooled students who are 13 or older must follow the instructions "For Students in Grade 7 and Above", meaning they may not submit any testing listing under "For Students in Grade 6 and Below" such as PSAT 8/9, or the Wechsler or Woodcock Johnson Achievement Tests. Students who are 12 or younger and being homeschooled at or below 6th grade level at the time of application should follow the instructions above “For Students in Grade 6 or Below."

For Students Reapplying for Admission

Applicants who have previously applied and were declined admission are often asked to submit updated testing and/or grade reports. Applicants who were declined admission and wish to reapply will need to complete the current online application and upload an ACT or SAT testing report administered within the past two years.

For testing requirement questions, please contact applications@davidsonacademy.unr.edu.