ISEE test anxiety?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For private school parents, do ISEE scores generally align with ERB scores? It is the same testing company, right? I am wondering if I should have my 8th grader try the ISEE sine they bombed the SSAT. I am not sure retaking the SSAT is even worth it without tutoring in between tests!

I’m not certain, but I’ve heard the ISEE is actually harder than SSAT. I thought the high school math SSAT was really challenging for an 8th grader.

how go you know?

That should’ve read how do you know?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For private school parents, do ISEE scores generally align with ERB scores? It is the same testing company, right? I am wondering if I should have my 8th grader try the ISEE sine they bombed the SSAT. I am not sure retaking the SSAT is even worth it without tutoring in between tests!

I’m not certain, but I’ve heard the ISEE is actually harder than SSAT. I thought the high school math SSAT was really challenging for an 8th grader.

how go you know?

That should’ve read how do you know?

Not OP, but the educational specialist who does my kid’s evaluation for ADHD said the ISEE is harder than the SSAT and urged him to take the SSAT given the choice.

[Anonymous]

For anyone who's kid is not a great test taker, especially due to anxiety, then I found that having the child practice the test at home (just get a good practice test from any of the reputable study guides) and try to simulate the test at home. Take the test out of the book and also use the "bubble" answer form that is provided (rather than having them circle the answers on the test). Have them sit the test at home under the same timed conditions with the same breaks etc. If you do this a couple of times then the mystery and stress of the actual test is taken away. They will still have "day-of" nerves, but the stress of the actual test is diminished. I found this worked very well with my kids.

[juanjunoz]

Anonymous wrote:For anyone who's kid is not a great test taker, especially due to anxiety, then I found that having the child practice the test at home (just get a good practice test from any of the reputable study guides) and try to simulate the test at home. Take the test out of the book and also use the "bubble" answer form that is provided (rather than having them circle the answers on the test). Have them sit the test at home under the same timed conditions with the same breaks etc. If you do this a couple of times then the mystery and stress of the actual test is taken away. They will still have "day-of" nerves, but the stress of the actual test is diminished. I found this worked very well with my kids.

This is a great idea. Thank you.

[juanjunoz]

OP here: just to follow up, I got the ISEE scores today (haven't gotten an email notification, but I looked them up on the erb site). My daughter actually thought she did ok on the verbal but for her it was the worst she's done. In the past she got 6s and 7s, this time two 5s. I'm totally ok with 5s, just it would have been nice to balance out the 3 and 4 she got on the math sections.
5 5 4 3
So, she's applying with lower average ISEE scores and great grades in an honors magnet program. It's a toss up.
Some of the commenters here have pointed out that there are private schools for every level of achievement/ability, but I'm not sure that's not the case where I live. The options are very limited, especially if you're looking for co-ed. There are two great schools for kids with LD but you have to have an LD and my daughter doesn't.
Ironically, this year the public school system where I live is not factoring standardized testing into magnet program admission and so I think my daughter has a chance to get into the top school, which is as hard or harder to get into than any of the privates. SMH. But then is that fair to the kids who do really well on standardized testing but don't have the greatest grades? I don't know the answer.
Somehow Finland has this all figured out. Private school there isn't even legal!

[Anonymous]

Happen to see this. We are in the NY area and in a good private. Son is very average at his school but for the last 3 years, his isee is mostly 9's and a few 8's.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Happen to see this. We are in the NY area and in a good private. Son is very average at his school but for the last 3 years, his isee is mostly 9's and a few 8's.

It was worth digging up a year and a half old thread to share this?

[Anonymous]

Didn't read all the comments, but the ISEE has a weird math section where you have to figure out the answer to the math problem, then answer the question in terms of if the answer is larger, smaller, between two things, etc. I think this test largely benefits from a test prep tutor who can familiarize your child with the strategy for these types of questions versus just the actual math. Same goes for analogies.

And to possibly make you feel better, my child got a 4 on that weird section of the math ISEE in 8th, and a 790/800 on the Math portion of the SAT in 12th so it's not necessairily an indicator of overall math ability longer term.

[Anonymous]

Schools look at more than test scores.

[Anonymous]

I'm actually a student taking the ISEE upper next week, i took one practice test for math achievement and got 55th then took another for the same and got 91 but some of the questions are the same. do you have any tips for studying? i'm applying for a really competitive private school with a relatively low acceptance rate. I am very anxios and my anxiety generally makes me score worse because i can't really think. please help!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm actually a student taking the ISEE upper next week, i took one practice test for math achievement and got 55th then took another for the same and got 91 but some of the questions are the same. do you have any tips for studying? i'm applying for a really competitive private school with a relatively low acceptance rate. I am very anxios and my anxiety generally makes me score worse because i can't really think. please help!

How were you on the timing of the test? The timing was the hardest for my kids to get used to. If you are really worried move your test date a little later (if you can) and spend a month or so working through ISEE test taking strategies until it's no longer scary.

[Anonymous]

OP- I think YOU might be the one who needs medication. You also need to read Never Enough by Jennifer Wallace. Your poor child. No wonder she's anxious.