Grade 9

Grade 9 Aptitude and Interest Tests

The aptitude- and interest evaluation that we do in Grade 9 is arguably the most important step in the process of planning for a child’s future. The choices that are made during this phase has direct implications when it comes to the accessibility of future tertiary courses and career opportunities.

Grade 9 aptitude and interest tests are very valuable and are applied in the following manners:

• It helps with decisions on the most appropriate subject choices for Grade 10 and onward.
• It gives information on the student’s academic skills and capabilities so that the student can strive towards realistic goals and investigate realistic study courses.
• It provides a complete image of a learners interest tendencies and future aspirations
• It helps to motivate learners academically because they now have a realistic idea of what they are working towards.
• It also serves as confirmation of that which parents already suspect in relation to their children and further assists parents in supporting and guiding their children based on objective information.

If learners have, as recommended, completed a Grade 7 test as well, it will enable the psychologist to determine how constant or erratic a learners interests have been over a two-year period.

A learners academic performance can also be objectively monitored.  Academic progress and capabilities are relevant when decisions need to be taken in relation to core modules such as Mathematics, Science, Accounting and so on.

If any of the abovementioned factors are applicable to your child, it is recommended that he/she get tested. Edu-Integral provides online- and interest testing online, individually and in groups so that these serves are more accessible and cost effective to our clients.

Before a booking is made, please ensure that all parties involved understand wat is included in the specific aptitude test package selected.

What is include in Grade 9 testing?

Biographic questionnaire

Background- and collateral information is gathered.

Complete Differential Aptitude Test (Form S)

The results of this test can be used to measure the likelihood of success for any particular career path. Aspects that are taken into account include language skills (vocabulary and reading comprehension), mathematics, spatial ability, work tempo and accuracy, memory, mechanical insight and reasoning skills  (verbal- and non-verbal reasoning). These results are compared with a child’s report card to determine whether he/she is acting and achieving goals to his/her full potential.

Interest-batteries

Along with what is indicated on the biographic questionnaire, 3 accompanying interest-batteries are introduced that gives an idea of the child’s activity perveances, workplace preferences and initial career preferences.  We can then determine how realistic and steadfast or erratic the child’s interests are by comparing the different profiles. The results are also compared with the child’s preferences as indicated in the Grade 7 evaluation (in the event that the evaluation was done at a primary school).

Draw-A-Person

This is a short emotional “screening-battery” that is introduced to identify emotional or attitude problems.  Parents will personally be informed, should any cause for concern arise. This evaluation will not form part of the final report.

Report

The psychologist will analyze and interpret the learner’s profile and give a thorough written report with recommendations. The goal of the subject recommendations are to introduce as many career options that are compatible with the learners personality profile, as possible. Keep in mind that the learner, at this stage, is not committing or choosing a career yet. They are merely encouraged to start investigating the options that are provided in the report. The recommendations are not prescriptive and the responsibility of choosing subjects ultimately lie with the child and his/her parents.

Feedback

Feedback takes place by way of telephonic conversation and an all-encompassing report. In the event that further consultation is necessitated, we will inform the parents thereof during the telephonic feedback session.

Confidentiality

The information that we receive during testing is treated as highly confidential and will only be made available directly to the client, or a parent in the case of the client being a minor. Should we receive a request that information is to be delivered to any other person or institution, we will not do so without written permission from the client, or a parent in the case of the client being a minor.

What is not included in this evaluation and why

IQ Tests

An IQ count is irrelevant for the purpose of this testing. The evaluation provides sufficient information regarding a learners academic potential by evaluating their scholastic achievements, report cards and the DAT aptitude test that is also included in the evaluation.

Personality tests

Experience has taught us that the only factor of the personality  tests that affects the recommendations, is whether the child wants work with people or not (Extrovert v Introvert).  The interest-batteries together with a parent’s inherent knowledge of their child gives a satisfactory indication hereof.  If a child does present with concerning personality traits, we recommend that an independent psychologist is contacted that specializes in the field.  During the Grade 11/12 evaluations the child’s personality will be tested in more detail to prepare for choices in respect of career paths.

Why a group- or online test?

It is much cheaper.

The reason why it is so much cheaper that and individual test is due to the fact that you will only have to pay for the time that the psychologist takes to process and interpret the child’s result as well as the time taken to write the report. There is thus no fee payable for the 5-hour consultation time when taking the test seeing as the testing is done in group formation. The cost of an individual test is round about R1, 250.00 per hour.

In extraordinary cases it might appear that further testing or guidance by a psychologist is necessitated. Examples may include IQ testing, personality tests, emotional evaluations or support, study methods, applications for extra time and learning problems, to name a few. These tests do not form part of the Edu-Integral group tests, but results thereof may help to make the most accurate recommendations and referrals.

Should any of the abovementioned additional testing be needed, the savings in costs associated with group-and online testing can be appropriated towards such tests.

A request can be made to have a child’s file and portfolio transferred to an independent psychologist or instructor for such purposes.

Arrangements in respect of results

The results are individually processed and the Edu-Integral psychologist personally works on every learner’s profile. A limited amount of reports are processed in a single day due to the fact that these reports require intensive interpretation  Discussions are, however, limited to ensure that all reports are readily available.   Parents will receive telephonic feedback before the report will be emailed to them. This is done so that the psychologist can take the opinions and recommendations of the parents into account as well.

The results are processed in the same order as payments are received and reflected on our bank statements. Everyone will therefore not receive their results at the same time.

The results of these tests are highly confidential and will only delivered to the parents or legal guardians of the minor child. Should any further guidance be necessitated by the school or psychologist, the report should be delivered to these parties on your own accord.

Consultation with psychologists

You will receive a written report as well as in person- or telephonic feedback depending on the type of testing that you completed.

Should any further consultations be necessitated, you can personally arrange therefore with the appointed psychologist. Psychologist fees are then payable as per the RGBSA guidelines.