Belin-Blank Exceptional Student Talent Search

What is BESTS?

The Belin-Blank Center at the University of Iowa conducts an academic talent search each year using an above-level assessment for eligible students in grades 4-9. An academic talent search identifies high achieving students (those who have scored at or above the 95th percentile on a standardized test) and provides an above-level assessment to better determine students' specific academic strengths. Above-level testing is an educational procedure in which a test developed for older students is administered to younger students. Students in grades 4-6 are invited to take the 8th grade level EXPLORE Assessment, and students in grades 7-9 are invited to take the 12th grade level ACT. Students register in the fall to take the test. 

What are the benefits of above-level testing?

Compared to grade-level tests, which tell us what students already know, above-level testing tells us not only what students know beyond their grade level, but what students are ready to learn. This is critical information for classroom teachers and parents. Curriculum should be presented to match the readiness level of each student. With high achieving students, it is often difficult to assess their level of readiness. Above-level testing can provide valuable insight in this regard. Also, students benefit from the test-taking experience in confidence building. Achieving success on an above-level test makes regular tests less intimidating. And, last but not least, these students are eligible for increased scholarship opportunities.

 

What is the availability of BESTS in Florida?

Currently there are 12 school districts participating with Stetson University in the Belin-Blank Exceptional Student Talent Search (BESTS). They are: Brevard, Flagler, Hillsborough, Indian River, Lake, Orange, Osceola, Palm Beach, Polk, Putnam, Seminole, and Volusia Counties.

When is the testing?

EXPLORE testing dates: November 10, January 26 and February 16

ACT testing dates: December 8, February9, April 13 and June 8

 

How do I submit my scores?

You only need to enter the Math and Reading percentile scores from the FCAT.Please refer to the FCAT 95th percentile conversion chart.

If you do not have a copy of your child's current FCAT scores please see their school guidance counselor.For those registering for the first time a hard copy of your child's test scores should be mailed to:
Belin-Blank Center, The University of Iowa 600 Blank Honors Center Iowa City, IA 52242-0454

All registrations are handled online. Please visit the website at http://www.stetson.edu/other/hats/ and follow the link to the BEST testing. You can choose your testing dates and locations from the pull down menu on the registration form on the website. If you are having trouble registering, please e-mail us at hats@stetson.edu


What are the costs?

The EXPLORE for grades 4-6 is $58.00, the cost of the ACT for grades 7-9 is $63.00  You pay by credit card/debit card when you register on line. A limited amount of financial aid is available.

 


What should I expect on the day of the test?

The test will be held on Saturday morning and your admission ticket will have the exact information on when and where to report. However, you can expect to arrive around 8:00 in the morning to check in. The testing usually ends around noon. You will want to bring a sweater or jacket in case it is chilly in the testing center and of course you will want to bring plenty of sharpened #2 pencils with good erasers. Calculators are allowed for the math portion of the test. The registration materials that come with your admission ticket will guide you on the permitted models for each test. You may also want to pack a healthy snack and bottled water.

 What happens after a student tests?

  • The Belin-Blank Center provides a comprehensive interpretation of scores with a customized report for each student
  • Parents are not required to share the scores with their school, but they are strongly encouraged to do so
  • Students are eligible to attend weekend and summer courses at the Belin-Blank Center and at Stetson University.

 

 The Goals of BESTS are:

  • to discover, via above-level testing, students who need further educational challenge to fully realize their talent.
  • to provide parents, educators, and students with an objective measure of a student's readiness for specific academic enrichment and/or accelerative programming.
  • to provide parents, educators, and students a thorough interpretation of that measure.
  • to provide a challenging and fun experience for students.
  • to provide parents, educators, and students information on Belin-Blank Center programs, research, and other information through our on-line newsletter, VISION.
  • to offer opportunities for participating families to take advantage of programs and services at the University of Iowa and at Stetson University in Florida.

 

If you have additional questions, please email us at hats@stetson.edu

 

EXPLORE® The Belin-Blank Center uses tests developed by ACT Inc. The tests are multiple choice and measure academic development in English, mathematics, reading, and science reasoning. Students in grades 4-6 registered for BESTS will take EXPLORE® (www.act.org/explore/). EXPLORE is designed as a test for 8th graders. Each section takes 30 minutes to complete. The total testing time involved is approximately two hours.

 

Students who have participated in BESTS have indicated that the experience was extremely positive. The purpose of testing is to provide students a challenging experience that will yield useful information about their academic readiness. Over 50% of the BESTS participants have scored higher than the average 8th grader. In many cases, the EXPLORE® scores have been used to assist educators in modifying a student's curriculum.

 

ACT® The ACT® (www.act.org) is a multiple-choice test and measures academic development in English, mathematics, reading, and science reasoning. The ACT Assessment is a test for college-bound high school students and takes approximately three hours to complete.

 

Students who have participated in BESTS have indicated that the experience was extremely positive. The purpose of testing is to provide students a challenging experience that will yield useful information about their academic readiness. Forty percent of the BESTS participants have scored higher than the average 11th/12th grader.

  

If you would like to join us in offering BESTS in your district, please contact the program director, Lynn Albinson,at hats@stetson.edu or 386.822.7091. Even if there is not a test center in your district, eligible students may participate in testing at any of the Florida test centers, and we will be happy to work with you to establish test sites in your school district