Academic Talent Search

BESTS is an opportunity for students to take part in an enjoyable and stimulating experience to learn more about their academic strengths. It is also a chance for parents and educators to discover the level of academic challenge appropriate for their students. Since 1992, over 100,000 students have participated in the Belin-Blank Exceptional Student Talent Search (BESTS).

The goal of a Talent Search is to discover, via above-level testing, students who need further educational challenge to fully realize their academic talent. Above-level testing is an educational procedure in which a test developed for older students is administered to younger students. Students who do well on a grade-level test have correctly answered most of the questions on that test. This tells us what they know, but does not tell us what they are ready to learn. The results of an above-level test can tell us what students are ready to learn.

Qualifying students in grades 4–6 take a two-hour test, EXPLORE®, which is a test designed for eighth graders, and students in grades 7–9 have the choice of taking ACT® or SAT®, both of which are college-entrance exams.

Gifted students in grades 2–3 can also enjoy the benefits of BESTS by joining Future BESTS. Future BESTS students are not required to take an above-level test to join.

All students (grades 2–9) who join BESTS automatically qualify to participate in the Belin-Blank Center’s classes and special programs—both during the academic year and during the summer.

Financial aid is available for the Belin-Blank Center’s academic talent search, BESTS.