Eastern Magnet test administration Q

[Anonymous]

My DC took the Eastern magnet test this past Sat. DC told me something odd about the test -- they were neither allowed to write in their book nor given scrap paper (except for the essay portion). I found this very odd. Although the Eastern sections don't contain any math, it's a very common testing/study technique to cross out obviously wrong answers, circle key words in a reading comp. passage, etc. In My DC was surprised and a little bummed not to be able to use paper and pencil to help herself in this way. In fact, the MCPS-issued test prep booklet for these exams suggests in several areas that kids to eliminate wrong answers and mark skipped Qs in the test booklet to come back to later.

Did anyone have a DC in a class room that was either allowed to write in the booklet or given scrap paper? If so, did they take they test for Eastern, Takoma or both? Did they only get the scrap paper/ability to write in the test booklet for all sections or only for the math sections?

I am puzzled because I would think this would really create a disparity in test performance for those who have language-based, organizational or attention-based disabilities.

[Anonymous]

I checked with my son, and he confirmed that they weren't allowed to write in the test booklets. He was given scrap paper for the essay and the math (TPMS) portion. It does seem a bit odd.