In an assessment of the adequacy of the Gesell screening examination as a test instrument, a Gesell Screening Evaluation was given to 400 children semi-annually from their 4th to 6th year. The sample, which was stratified by parent occupation, included 40 girls and 40 boys at 5 age levels. The test battery corresponded with the Gesell Preschool and Kindergarten Screening Evaluations. Four experienced judges gave global developmental ratings and a grade placement recommendation for each child. For three judges, mean developmental age scores fell below chronological age by an interval of 2-7 months. For composite scores, mean inter-judge correlations by age groups ranged from .74 to .85 for single-judge ratings, and .85 to .92 for two-judge averages. Mean sex differences were small but significant, all favoring girls. The exam showed no differences by socioeconomic level. At 8 years, 182 children were retested, on multi-trait, multi-method measures. Screening ratings correlated most highly with later adaptive ability, and lower with number, fine motor, language and reading abilities, and general school competence. Lowest correlations were with gross motor and personal-social development. Suggestions for using Gesell screening evaluations to make placement recommendations are offered. (RH)