Are students supposed to prep for TJ admissions exam

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We did not.

However, DS did find YouTube videos of the past test question from years ago online, and watched those for free.

Mostly his friends at Longfellow all talked about TJ and that’s why he applied and got in.

Please don’t force your kid to go if they don’t really want to be there.

This push to apply is coming from my kid. I had hoped interest might fade away in MS, but it’s only gotten stronger. I’m trying to support them in their efforts since they want this and are among a highly competitive cohort.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We began preparing our child for TJ (or any high school) as early as 2nd grade, [b]using these math and English resources, continuing through middle school:

IXL math workbooks and can use the free IXL website as a companion:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1947569503

English reading comprehension:
https://www.amazon.com/Comprehension-Nonficti...culum/dp/1483812162/

Variety of library books for reading material, at least 1 hour every single day

STEM activities and competitions involvement all through elementary and middle school.

Our student completed Algebra 2 in 8th grade, and is confident taking on the TJ curriculum.

Admission to TJ is a lottery process with short essay, but survival after entering TJ is completely dependent on the academic preparation starting in 2nd grade.

Best of luck!

Wow. So glad we left the area. That poor kid!

[Anonymous]

We started light prep in kindergarten, heavier prep since 2nd grade.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We started light prep in kindergarten, heavier prep since 2nd grade.

We started reading to our child even earlier, so our prep started then.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We began preparing our child for TJ (or any high school) as early as 2nd grade, using these math and English resources, continuing through middle school:

IXL math workbooks and can use the free IXL website as a companion:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1947569503

English reading comprehension:
https://www.amazon.com/Comprehension-Nonficti...culum/dp/1483812162/

Variety of library books for reading material, at least 1 hour every single day

STEM activities and competitions involvement all through elementary and middle school.

Our student completed Algebra 2 in 8th grade, and is confident taking on the TJ curriculum.

Admission to TJ is a lottery process with short essay, but survival after entering TJ is completely dependent on the academic preparation starting in 2nd grade.

Best of luck!

Similar to how we raised our athletic kid, started dribbling basketball in 2nd grade, been on middle school team, and now high school's. Public school resources are available out in the open, just needs dedication and hardwork to access them when participation is selective.

[Anonymous]

OP here. While I appreciate the advice from early elementary on, my kid is a rising 8th grader who has always done very well academically, hence the interest in TJ.

I’m specifically looking for info on whether or not the TJ admissions test is something the majority of students prep for. We’re at a highly competitive MS, so I know many do, but I wasn’t sure if this is a test that students can go in cold and still do well, or if it is recommended/expected that students prep.

From some of these responses, It sounds like DC should spend time thinking about the essays, and google sample questions so they can work on timing. DC has always done fine on timed tests so I’m not overly concerned on that front. Thanks for the input.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For sure if you are at Cooper and you want to go you need to do a prep class during the winter break before the test.

Most kids that don't do that will get waitlisted.

Could you recommend your prep class? Thank you!

[Anonymous]

The best prep you can do is focus on grades in 7th and 1st quarter of 8th grade.

See the link below for this interesting stat: "The average GPA for students offered admission to the Class of 2029 is 3.96, in line with previous years."

https://www.fcps.edu/news/offers-extended-tho...echnology-class-2029

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The best prep you can do is focus on grades in 7th and 1st quarter of 8th grade.

See the link below for this interesting stat: "The average GPA for students offered admission to the Class of 2029 is 3.96, in line with previous years."

https://www.fcps.edu/news/offers-extended-tho...echnology-class-2029

Is that GPA inflated? Many students getting Cs and Ds at TJ had high GPA in middle school, but find out in freshman itself they are unprepared for TJ academics.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The best prep you can do is focus on grades in 7th and 1st quarter of 8th grade.

See the link below for this interesting stat: "The average GPA for students offered admission to the Class of 2029 is 3.96, in line with previous years."

https://www.fcps.edu/news/offers-extended-tho...echnology-class-2029

Is that GPA inflated? Many students getting Cs and Ds at TJ had high GPA in middle school, but find out in freshman itself they are unprepared for TJ academics.

Honors math classes will receive a .5 weight, so kids taking Honors Algebra and Geometry have weighted grades.

You have to have a 3.5 GPA to apply. And you have to have an A in Honors math and science in 7th and 8th grade. And you have to have at least one other Honors class to apply. A good number of kids applying will be in AAP, so all Honors classes.

My kid is applying next year but we understand that TJ Academics are more challenging than most base school academics. Everyone on this board who has had kids at TJ posts that. Some kids might have had one HS class in MS, Algebra 1 in 8th grade, while others will have had 4, Algebra, Geometry, and 2 years of language. I would guess the kids with 4 HS classes are in a better place then the kids with 1 HS class. And not every MS is equal. Kids from lower SES MS are less likely to have had some of the extensions and assignments that kids from schools like Carson, Longfellow, Cooper, and Rocky Run have had.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The best prep you can do is focus on grades in 7th and 1st quarter of 8th grade.

See the link below for this interesting stat: "The average GPA for students offered admission to the Class of 2029 is 3.96, in line with previous years."

https://www.fcps.edu/news/offers-extended-tho...echnology-class-2029

Is that GPA inflated? Many students getting Cs and Ds at TJ had high GPA in middle school, but find out in freshman itself they are unprepared for TJ academics.

Honors math classes will receive a .5 weight, so kids taking Honors Algebra and Geometry have weighted grades.

You have to have a 3.5 GPA to apply. And you have to have an A in Honors math and science in 7th and 8th grade. And you have to have at least one other Honors class to apply. A good number of kids applying will be in AAP, so all Honors classes.

My kid is applying next year but we understand that TJ Academics are more challenging than most base school academics. Everyone on this board who has had kids at TJ posts that. Some kids might have had one HS class in MS, Algebra 1 in 8th grade, while others will have had 4, Algebra, Geometry, and 2 years of language. I would guess the kids with 4 HS classes are in a better place then the kids with 1 HS class. And not every MS is equal. Kids from lower SES MS are less likely to have had some of the extensions and assignments that kids from schools like Carson, Longfellow, Cooper, and Rocky Run have had.

According to the TJHSST eligibility page, there’s no mention of A requirement in honors math and science to be eligible to apply. Just 3.5 unweighted GPA in core curriculum.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The best prep you can do is focus on grades in 7th and 1st quarter of 8th grade.

See the link below for this interesting stat: "The average GPA for students offered admission to the Class of 2029 is 3.96, in line with previous years."

https://www.fcps.edu/news/offers-extended-tho...echnology-class-2029

Is that GPA inflated? Many students getting Cs and Ds at TJ had high GPA in middle school, but find out in freshman itself they are unprepared for TJ academics.

Honors math classes will receive a .5 weight, so kids taking Honors Algebra and Geometry have weighted grades.

You have to have a 3.5 GPA to apply. And you have to have an A in Honors math and science in 7th and 8th grade. And you have to have at least one other Honors class to apply. A good number of kids applying will be in AAP, so all Honors classes.

My kid is applying next year but we understand that TJ Academics are more challenging than most base school academics. Everyone on this board who has had kids at TJ posts that. Some kids might have had one HS class in MS, Algebra 1 in 8th grade, while others will have had 4, Algebra, Geometry, and 2 years of language. I would guess the kids with 4 HS classes are in a better place then the kids with 1 HS class. And not every MS is equal. Kids from lower SES MS are less likely to have had some of the extensions and assignments that kids from schools like Carson, Longfellow, Cooper, and Rocky Run have had.

TJ admissions doesn’t give the .5 bump for GPAs for honors classes when looking at 8th grade applicants. The highest GPA an applicant will have is 4.0. They also don’t look at what math class the applicant is in, only that they are at least in Honors Algebra.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The best prep you can do is focus on grades in 7th and 1st quarter of 8th grade.

See the link below for this interesting stat: "The average GPA for students offered admission to the Class of 2029 is 3.96, in line with previous years."

https://www.fcps.edu/news/offers-extended-tho...echnology-class-2029

Is that GPA inflated? Many students getting Cs and Ds at TJ had high GPA in middle school, but find out in freshman itself they are unprepared for TJ academics.

Honors math classes will receive a .5 weight, so kids taking Honors Algebra and Geometry have weighted grades.

You have to have a 3.5 GPA to apply. And you have to have an A in Honors math and science in 7th and 8th grade. And you have to have at least one other Honors class to apply. A good number of kids applying will be in AAP, so all Honors classes.

My kid is applying next year but we understand that TJ Academics are more challenging than most base school academics. Everyone on this board who has had kids at TJ posts that. Some kids might have had one HS class in MS, Algebra 1 in 8th grade, while others will have had 4, Algebra, Geometry, and 2 years of language. I would guess the kids with 4 HS classes are in a better place then the kids with 1 HS class. And not every MS is equal. Kids from lower SES MS are less likely to have had some of the extensions and assignments that kids from schools like Carson, Longfellow, Cooper, and Rocky Run have had.

According to the TJHSST eligibility page, there’s no mention of A requirement in honors math and science to be eligible to apply. Just 3.5 unweighted GPA in core curriculum.

Honors math/science for 7th/8th is a requirement for all applicants. Honors English or Social Studies is also a requirement (unless the student is a young scholar).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. While I appreciate the advice from early elementary on, my kid is a rising 8th grader who has always done very well academically, hence the interest in TJ.

I’m specifically looking for info on whether or not the TJ admissions test is something the majority of students prep for. We’re at a highly competitive MS, so I know many do, but I wasn’t sure if this is a test that students can go in cold and still do well, or if it is recommended/expected that students prep.

From some of these responses, It sounds like DC should spend time thinking about the essays, and google sample questions so they can work on timing. DC has always done fine on timed tests so I’m not overly concerned on that front. Thanks for the input.

Yes, students can definitely prep for the essays. You can go the prep program route or just prepare on your own. All of the students that I know who were accepted to TJ prepared for the essays ahead of time. It is good to have at least a general idea of something to write about that relates to the portrait of a graduate skills.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The best prep you can do is focus on grades in 7th and 1st quarter of 8th grade.

See the link below for this interesting stat: "The average GPA for students offered admission to the Class of 2029 is 3.96, in line with previous years."

https://www.fcps.edu/news/offers-extended-tho...echnology-class-2029

Is that GPA inflated? Many students getting Cs and Ds at TJ had high GPA in middle school, but find out in freshman itself they are unprepared for TJ academics.

Honors math classes will receive a .5 weight, so kids taking Honors Algebra and Geometry have weighted grades.

You have to have a 3.5 GPA to apply. And you have to have an A in Honors math and science in 7th and 8th grade. And you have to have at least one other Honors class to apply. A good number of kids applying will be in AAP, so all Honors classes.

My kid is applying next year but we understand that TJ Academics are more challenging than most base school academics. Everyone on this board who has had kids at TJ posts that. Some kids might have had one HS class in MS, Algebra 1 in 8th grade, while others will have had 4, Algebra, Geometry, and 2 years of language. I would guess the kids with 4 HS classes are in a better place then the kids with 1 HS class. And not every MS is equal. Kids from lower SES MS are less likely to have had some of the extensions and assignments that kids from schools like Carson, Longfellow, Cooper, and Rocky Run have had.

According to the TJHSST eligibility page, there’s no mention of A requirement in honors math and science to be eligible to apply. Just 3.5 unweighted GPA in core curriculum.

Honors math/science for 7th/8th is a requirement for all applicants. Honors English or Social Studies is also a requirement (unless the student is a young scholar).

Yes, but I was referring to the poster who said an “A” grade is required in honors math and science in 7th and 8th to apply. Applicants need a 3.5 minimum GPA in core curriculum to apply, but there’s no mention that student must specifically receive an A in both to apply (although they likely will).