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Registration Guidelines "Who is recommended to participate in the Belin-Blank Exceptional Student Talent Search?" Students in grades 4-9 who score at the 95th percentile or above on the Core Total OR Language Total, Maps & Diagrams, Math Computation, Math Concepts, Math Problem Solving, Math Total, Reading, or Science subtests on a grade-level standardized test, such as the Iowa Tests of Basic Skills (ITBS), are recommended for the talent search. If students in your school do not take the ITBS, but take another standardized achievement test, such as the Florida Comprehensive Achievement Test or Stanford Achievement Tests, the same requirements apply. If students in your school do not take standardized tests annually, scores from the most recent testing may be used. "Does my child need to be in a talented and gifted program to participate?" No. Only 40% of students who participate in BESTS are in a TAG Program. "What if a students scores are lower than the 95th percentile?" Our research indicates that students who score at the 95th percentile and above are most likely to need above-level testing and have the best possibility of a successful experience. If a student is slightly below the 95th percentile, and the parents and educators strongly believe that the student is a good candidate for above-level testing, they may receive the registration materials. However, we typically discourage exceptions to the 95th percentile guideline. Free/Reduced Lunch: Students who qualify for Free/Reduced Lunch will have half the total Registration Fee waived, provided they send a letter from their school indicating they qualify. Special Accomodations: Test Procedure For EXPLORE® In an effort to make EXPLORE testing for Elementary Student Search (ESTS) programs accessible to students with disabilities, accommodations may be approved for students with professionally diagnosed physical, mental, sensory, or learning disabilities who provide an application and proper documentation. An application is available for download here or call ACT Test Administration at 319-337-1510. For the ACT® You will need to register for the test directly with ACT. After your registration has been processed, you will be sent a form from ACT, Inc. to be completed and sent directly to ACT so that they may determine any necessary accommodations. Follow the directions given on the Special Accommodations Form from ACT. For the SAT® You will need to register for the test directly with SAT. After your registration has been processed, you will be sent a form to be completed and sent directly to SAT so that they may determine any necessary accommodations. Follow the directions given on the Special Accommodations Form from SAT. Non-Saturday Testing: Test Procedure For EXPLORE® Select Sunday testing date Review test center list and select Sunday test center. (For paper registration, options appear at end of all listings on back page.) The non-Saturday test centers usually have code numbers ending with "1." Submit registration For the ACT® Test center within 50 miles of student's home* Parent pays complete BESTS fee ($50) Select Sunday testing date Review test center list and select Sunday test center. (For paper registration, options appear at end of all listings on back page.) The non-Saturday test centers usually have code numbers ending with "1." Submit registration Send documentation to support the need for non-Saturday testing (ex., letter from clergy). Test center outside of 50 miles of student's home Parent pays only BESTS membership fee ($25) You will be sent a "Request for ACT Assessment Arranged Testing" form Complete Arranged Testing form and mail form and testing fee ($28.50) directly to ACT. * The only non-Saturday test center in Iowa is in Urbandale on April 15th (TC 177201). For the SAT® Students registering for Sunday testing for SAT will have a test center code of 01000 automatically entered for them. Students with this code will be assigned a Sunday test center by SAT. This test center will be provided on the admission ticket.