Gesell's developmental testing: What purpose does it serve?

This study examined the usefulness of the Gesell Preschool Test (GPT), a developmental readiness test used by teachers and school psychologists to determine a child's readiness to begin formal instruction. Results of a discriminant analysis revealed that, after the effects of math and reading achievement had been accounted for, the GPT failed to contribute to the discrimination of 30 retained and 58 promoted kindergartners. Problems with the assessment and classification of immature children based on Gesell's developmental readiness concept are discussed.