There are tons of different tests available for adults looking to find out their IQ, but not all of these tests are well suited to children. One such test that is suited to children is the Kaufman Brief Intelligence Test, commonly called the KBIT. The KBIT is used all across the country to help determine what a child’s IQ is and if they are in need of extra help in the classroom or if they would fit into a gifted program or accelerated class track well.
It doesn’t matter how old you are; there are plenty of ways out there for you to make sure you are well prepared to take the KBIT. In this article, we’ll discuss everything about the KBIT, from what to expect from the test to how the test is scored. We’ll also be giving you our top tips to help you or your child crush the KBIT.
What is the Kaufman Brief Intelligence Test?
What is the Kaufman Brief Intelligence Test?The Kaufman Brief Intelligence Test, or KBIT for short, is a quick intelligence test that was created by a man named Alan Kaufman. The KBIT is used to help get a general understanding of a child’s intelligence level. In some schools, the KBIT is used to help place children in gifted programs, while other schools use the KBIT to help identify children in need of extra help.
The KBIT is a short test and generally takes only about 20 minutes to take. The test is administered individually to each child. The KBIT comes in different levels depending on the child’s age. For example, the questions for a young child will be straightforward, while the questions for an older child might be pretty complicated.
The KBIT is an excellent preliminary test since it is so short and is generally relatively low-stress. In some schools, the KBIT is used as the test to determine if students should be placed in a gifted program or accelerated program. Other schools use the KBIT as a preliminary test to determine if further testing should be done.
What Do the Scores Mean on the KBIT 2?
At first glance, the Kaufman Brief Intelligence Test scoring can seem complicated, but it doesn’t have to be that way at all. The KBIT 2 is the most recent edition of the test. The scores on the KBIT 2 are divided into three sections and are reported as numbers ranging from 40 to 160. There are verbal scores, nonverbal scores, and the composite or composite IQ scores.
The first thing to note about the scores for the KBIT is that they are based on your raw score or the number of questions that you answered correctly. This initial number is then converted into a standard score. Standard scores are calculated to have a mean of 100 and a standard deviation of 15, meaning that the middle 50% of students who take the KBIT will have a score within 15 points of 100.
Each gifted program is different and will have its own minimum score that it would like you to achieve in order for admission to be considered. The standard score is what gets reported on your scorecard after you take the KBIT. Generally, this score is somewhere in the range of 125 to 135, depending on the program.
What is Composite IQ?
Composite IQ is a phrase used to describe a child’s overall cumulative score on the KBIT. Overall, the KBIT scores are divided into three parts; verbal, nonverbal, and composite; and are all reported as numerical scores. The composite score, or composite IQ, ranges from 40 to 160.
An average composite IQ score is anything in the range of 85 to 115. Students who receive a score of greater than 135 on their composite IQ are generally considered for gifted programs and are viewed as above average. Scores below 85 generally indicate that the student could use extra help and would count as below average.
How to Prepare for the KBIT: 3 Steps
Understanding how to prepare for the Kaufman Brief Intelligence Test (KBIT) can be challenging since, like many other IQ tests, there is only so much preparation that you can do. Still, there are plenty of ways that you can help your child prepare to take the KBIT. Here are some of our favorite ways you can help your child prepare for the KBIT:
Make use of practice questions to help your child know what to expect
Finding reliable practice questions and tests for the KBIT 2, or the most recent edition of the KBIT at the time you’re taking it, is easier than ever! Making sure that your child knows what to expect from the KBIT is a great way to help them prepare for the test. Knowing what to expect is an essential part of KBIT test prep, especially since it can be challenging to truly study for an IQ test.
With tons of great print and online resources out there, you might even feel overwhelmed with all the options. Make sure you have a good amount of practice questions and a few practice tests so your child doesn’t end up repeating material during their KBIT test prep. Try having your child complete a few practice questions every day. This is a great way to make sure that your child feels more in control and prepared when test day arrives.
Play games to keep their mind engaged
One of the best ways to help children, especially younger children, prepare for the KBIT is to play games. You can buy sets of games or flashcards online that are specifically designed to help your child practice for the KBIT, but you could also play games you already have. Even introducing something like a weekly family puzzle night or something that will provide regular mental stimulation is an excellent option for many families.
Your brain is a muscle, and just like every other muscle in your body, it must be worked out to stay in shape. Although being in shape looks a little different for a brain than other muscles, the general principle remains the same. You will need to keep working your brain out in order to build new neural pathways and connections and strengthen existing connections.
Puzzles and games are a great way to do just this and will help your child start to think critically and creatively, both of which will help when it comes to taking the KBIT. Puzzles are also a perfect way to help your child study without adding additional stress and making them feel like they are studying. This can be good for students who are already known to have test-based anxiety, as it can make studying feel more like a fun thing than a chore they must complete.
Help your child take good care of themselves
Especially if you have a younger child, make sure that you are teaching them how to take good care of themself. Understanding that many students suffer from stress and anxiety directly related to test-taking and helping your child learn healthy habits at a young age is a great way to ensure they are ready for the KBIT and all other future tests they will have to take.
Taking good care of themselves includes:
- Getting a good night’s sleep.
- Staying hydrated.
- Eating good food.
- Getting a good amount of exercise.
Each one of these factors plays a role in allowing our brains to function at their highest capacity while minimizing stress and anxiety as best as we can. It is important to teach your child that while they can’t control all factors, they can control how prepared their body is for a mental challenge, such as taking a test.
Wrapping Things Up: How to Prepare for the Kaufman Brief Intelligence Test (KBIT)?
Even though the KBIT only takes about 20 minutes to complete, there are still tons of things you can do to help prepare for it. From playing games to taking care of yourself, we hope that we have given you the tools you need to help your child or yourself feel prepared when you sit down to take the KBIT.
Regardless of if you are a parent wanting to help your young child or an older student planning out your studying, we hope you’ll find our tips and tricks helpful. Understanding the test and how it is scored, as well as how to prepare for the test and what to expect when you sit down to take the KBIT, are all equally important factors when it comes to your success on the test. We know you have the tools to go out and crush the KBIT!
