Prep classes for HGC and MS magnet tests

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Now I see how some average kids get in while the top of the class does not

Maybe the "average Kid" is not so average? Maybe he/she WANTS it more than kids who are in the top of the class?

Let's be clear - there are no "average" kids getting into these programs. Perhaps a kid at the 90% is studying to get into the 95% ile range. That kids will do fine, even very well at one of these program. I have a 3rd grade daughter who is reading 2 grades above grade level - she is above average and she could not hack the HGC in terms of pace and sophisticated content.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

tons of kids from dc's HGC applied and only a couple prepped in any rigorous way. Most of the kids did try out for Eastern and Takoma and they did talk a lot about how much (or little) they were doing for their essays and so on and so I think prep classes would have come up in their conversations. I feel comfortable saying that all (but one) of the kids we know who got in did not take any kind of class. There were varying degrees of effort expended on the essays- some kids put a lot of effort into them while others did them at the last minute.
We did have dc look at the booklet a couple of days before the test so he knew about the format. Also tried to get him to bed early the night before. He tried out for both and got into both.

[b]Kids are just like their adult parents. One can spot lies coming from a mile away!

...A Judge

[/b]


You must be an amazing judge if you can conclude this from my well-meaning post. Unlike you I am not a judge (or did you mean judgemental?).

[Anonymous]

Test prep is totally a personal choice. It is a known fact that high schools encourage test prep inside and outside school for SAT. Why don't the 3rd grade teachers talk about this test at all. Instead why fairly tails when asked about HGC testing " let them get a goodnight sleep, give them a good breakfast and send them to school on time for the test"

[Anonymous]

I mean fairy tales

[Anonymous]

To have a good night sleep and a good breakfast is good advice for all living things that are not nocturnal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

IMHO if your kid needs this to get in, he or she might thrive more readily in a different program.

My kid doesn't need this to get in but wants to take it for fun. Is that ok with you and your humble opinion? Can a kid take it (like anything in life) even if he or she doesn't really need it to get in?

Oh this is total BS. "Mommy please let me take extra classes on top of school, please please!!!"

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Test prep is totally a personal choice. It is a known fact that high schools encourage test prep inside and outside school for SAT. Why don't the 3rd grade teachers talk about this test at all. Instead why fairly tails when asked about HGC testing " let them get a goodnight sleep, give them a good breakfast and send them to school on time for the test"

High Schools encourage it because they can't teach it and the district wants good test scores. Do you think all these asian/white schools would have high test scores if they weren't allowed to have tutors, test prep, etc...

[Anonymous]

schools don't teach for HGC just like SAT. But why no guidance from schools for HGC? For Middle school you could at least see the sample questions and same with SAT. Why HGC is happening so secretly?

[Anonymous]

Test prep is totally a personal choice. It is a known fact that high schools encourage test prep inside and outside school for SAT. Why don't the 3rd grade teachers talk about this test at all. Instead why fairly tails when asked about HGC testing " let them get a goodnight sleep, give them a good breakfast and send them to school on time for the test"

I agree wholeheartedly with your view. Assiduous preparation in advance and "let them get a goodnight sleep, give them a good breakfast and send them to school on time for the test".

This strategy is optimal and the best. It has never failed me for any task in life!

[Anonymous]

From personal experience, Dr Li and APlus classes have minimum impact on the magnet tests.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:From personal experience, Dr Li and APlus classes have minimum impact on the magnet tests.

That is good to know.

Anyone have suggestions on what could be reviewed or practiced?

[Anonymous]

Everyone I know who's gotten in (my kids included) never took any prep classes

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Everyone I know who's gotten in (my kids included) never took any prep classes

Did they practice for the test?

[Anonymous]

A few looked at the tiny sample questions. The problem is, if you really need to prep- you're in the wrong place.

[Anonymous]

My child is in an HGC so I don't think we are in the wrong place. I would like my child to do some math practice though because they have little time for each question. I don't think Raven or reading comp require any prep.