[saithor]

Just a quick question for a character backstory. Does anybody remember what age kids are tested for magic in the shadowrun universe?

[Moonshine Fox]

I think it varies depending on the country or corp the person is a citizen of (and their social status), but I'd guess most places do it sometime around grade school, high school at the latest unless their is some other reason to test them earlier (such as coming from a family with a history of magically active members).

[MijRai]

I'd settle for middle-school, with Talent scouts keeping an eye out for those who Awaken earlier or later. 

[Reaver]

Kids usually awaken with puberty, but some awaken much earlier, or later in life.

Fluff generally says testing starts and continues through schooling, but doesn't really say much more about it.

[farothel]

and kids in areas like the Barrens are probably not tested at all, so when they awaken, it can come as a surprise to them and their surroundings.  Or they might never know (adepts mostly) thinking they are just better than the others.

[Senko]

I'd say that testing starts as soon as a kid enters school with programs and the like to identify magical potential, anyone rating strongly on it  (80%) generates little note in their file for the corporation releasing that game/education program then when they reach puberty (year 7ish) scouts focus on those with notes for testing with more universal programs for certain corps/countries. Meanwhile there are general apps and scouts looking around for those who might otherwise be missed.