What is academic and intelligence testing?
Academic and intelligence testing can help you understand how you learn, think, and handle everyday tasks. These evaluations look at your strengths and challenges in areas like reading, writing, math, problem-solving, and focus — all of which can affect how you do in school, work, or job training.
Some people use this information to set clearer goals for school or their career. Others use it to figure out why they’re having a hard time — like struggling to keep up with assignments, understand material, or manage test anxiety.
These evaluations can also help determine if you’d benefit from support, like extended time on tests or other school or workplace accommodations. In some cases, testing can shed light on developmental issues that may be making it harder to reach your goals or live independently as an adult.
What does this type of evaluation involve?
Your appointment starts with a conversation between you and the clinician. You’re welcome to bring a family member, partner, or anyone else you’d like involved. During this interview, we’ll talk about your concerns, goals, and background — including school history and anything else you think is important to share. We may also ask to review school records to better understand your experience.
After the interview, you’ll complete a set of thinking and academic tasks, like reading, writing, math, and problem-solving. Some of these are done on paper, others on a computer or tablet. We may also look at memory, attention, or emotional factors, depending on your needs.
A trained professional will guide you through everything, and you can take breaks as needed. The full process usually takes between 2 and 4 hours, depending on the type of evaluation.
What types of issues can testing be helpful for?
- Understanding overall intellectual abilities (including IQ, giftedness, or intellectual disability)
- Identifying academic strengths and challenges — even without a formal diagnosis
- Determining whether a neurological issue is affecting school performance
- Providing a diagnosis when appropriate
- Recommending strategies to support learning and academic growth
- Documenting the need for school or testing accommodations
- Assessing whether medical or mental health treatment may help
- Evaluating how well current treatments (like therapy or medication) are working
- Supporting applications for accommodations on standardized tests (MCAT, LSAT, etc.)
What do you evaluate for?
Intellectual giftedness or disability
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder
Autism spectrum disorders
Reading disorders, including dyslexia
Mathematics disorders, including dyscalculia
Long-term effects of childhood disorders, such as epilepsy, stroke, toxic exposure, etc.
We offer a complimentary 15-minute phone consultation for adult clients. This brief conversation provides an opportunity to discuss your needs, ask questions, and determine whether our services are the right fit for you.