Hi,
My ADHD son recently took the ACT test and did very well with it - at least for a 7th Grader's 1st attempt. His total composite score was a 17, and had he scored 1 more point in reading, he would have qualified for State Recognition. He was invited to take either the ACT/SAT via the Duke Univ. Talent Search ID program. My son is not 'gifted'. He is a good student. Anway... we chose the ACT because it had a test option to take a Science test - which we were very interested in. My son said the hardest part of the whole test was the reading portion - however, that's the section he did the best on. The science test was difficult - there's lots of graph reading and it wasn't what I thought it was going to be.
We bought the Ben Kaplan review book for the SAT/ACT that has the hand-held PDA (?) with it. The Book really helped my son know how to test and what to expect. I don't think he would have done as well going into the test cold-turkey. I helped him review with the book several days before the test. It definately helped, and it was fun reading through this - unlike some old boring written how-to textbooks. It would be worth the time to check out this book before your son tests.
I felt really good about the testing opportunity, and felt like we made the right choice of test. I would like him to experience taking the SAT test - and I've heard kids 7th grade and up can sign up to do so anytime. This helps them get ready for the final tests in High School.
Also...my son has dysgraphia (problem with written expression). He was allowed to have extra time on the written portion of the test, but we opted out.
Good luck!
