imeverywoman Posted October 13, 2009 Share Posted October 13, 2009 prepared. He wants to know why I'm sending him in to fail. I feel like this is a good opportunity for him to be exposed to the exam before it counts. Please, please tell me if I am mistaken. He is just beginning algebra now, so the math skills are definitely not there, but I thought that this would be a good exposure for him. Help????:confused: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elizabeth Posted October 14, 2009 Share Posted October 14, 2009 Why is he anxious? Is this his usual response to high stakes testing? How have his practice test scores been? If they have been above the 50th % tile I think he should give it a try for the experience of high stakes testing which incidentally starts in junior high and ends when you earn an MD,JD, or PhD. In other words, the testing never ends and the stakes get higher. If he has not been adequately prepared I would not have him take it and do poorly. At the age of 14 it is still reasonable for you to have had him do several timed tests, help in making a study schedule etc. if that support and leadership was not present I think he should wait until he is properly prepared. If however all the support materials and mentoring was available and he simply blew off studying I think that natural consequences dicatate that he be allowed to sink or swim. In my view it is about much, much more than the test. This is a character issue , a life skills issue and time management course all wrapped up into one. He is young so nothing is lost if he is not prepared to sit for the exam. These are just difficult and only become moreso the higher the degree one is seeking. I have trained students for years to take these including the LSAT , GMAT, GRE and MCAT writing portion and the most salient feature shared by successful testers is the amount of practice testing done as preparation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
imeverywoman Posted October 14, 2009 Author Share Posted October 14, 2009 We only recently found out that he was able to take the test in the 9th grade. He has gone over the practice test and has looked at the daily questions. As far as the math goes, he is just beginning Algebra and as a result, definitely does not feel prepared for the math portion. I guess I was looking at this as an opportunity for him to see what the test is like before it counts. I suppose I should ask, can work against him if the scores are low? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
readwithem Posted October 14, 2009 Share Posted October 14, 2009 We only recently found out that he was able to take the test in the 9th grade. He has gone over the practice test and has looked at the daily questions. As far as the math goes, he is just beginning Algebra and as a result, definitely does not feel prepared for the math portion. I guess I was looking at this as an opportunity for him to see what the test is like before it counts. I suppose I should ask, can work against him if the scores are low? No, the only one that "counts" is the test taken during junior year. I had my dd take it as a soph with no prep at all. She scored within range of qualifying for our state, so when she took it as a junior, we did some fairly serious prep, including a full blown practice test as well as some other one-section (25 minutes each) tests. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colleen Posted October 14, 2009 Share Posted October 14, 2009 I guess I was looking at this as an opportunity for him to see what the test is like before it counts. To that end, taking it as a sophomore is good exposure but since he's already signed up, nothing lost, nothing gained. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
imeverywoman Posted October 14, 2009 Author Share Posted October 14, 2009 thinking to myself that I hadn't heard from you. I miss you! :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colleen Posted October 14, 2009 Share Posted October 14, 2009 thinking to myself that I hadn't heard from you. I miss you! :) I'm rarely here ~ or anywhere online, really. In part because I just don't feel likely hanging out in front of the screen, and in part because I had computer issues, followed by (ongoing) ISP issues. Case in point, I don't recall getting email from you. I'm sorry! Don't cross me off your friends list!:) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
imeverywoman Posted October 14, 2009 Author Share Posted October 14, 2009 Never, girlfriend! :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
In The Great White North Posted October 14, 2009 Share Posted October 14, 2009 My 9th grader is taking it also, purely for practice. She took the SAT last spring (and did work some practice tests). This time she is taking the PSAT without practicing, just for the test taking experience. Her score doesn't really matter, and isn't why she's taking it now. I'm not losing any sleep over it and neither is she. Tell ds that he can't fail the test - the is no minimum passing score. He'll do better than most 9th graders because they didn't even take it. If the average 9th grader could do well, there would be a problem with the test. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julie in MN Posted October 14, 2009 Share Posted October 14, 2009 He is just beginning algebra now, so the math skills are definitely not there, but I thought that this would be a good exposure for him. Does he have any of the skills -- does he have solid geometry at a jr. hi level? Is he fast at computation? Is he good with the English language? If he'll do okay in some areas, I'd go ahead. If it'll all be hopeless, then I'd do timed testing at home. JMHO. Julie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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