Private school testing for kindergarten?

[Anonymous]

Who or what gave you the impression any of the previous posters were going to pilfer the test and prep their pupils?

You have quite the imagination.

[Anonymous]

If you search old threads on this exact topic, you will see how my "imagination" could run free. Good to know everyone here has only the purest thoughts when asking about "prepping.". Nevertheless, you simply don't prep for the WPPSI. If you consider good parenting with conversations with one's child to be prepping, well, forgive me for doubting that that is what the other posters were getting at.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:"Unethical and wrong" is a bit strident. OP, you just don't prep for these tests. Don't stress, let your DC be him/herself, and eat well, sleep well before the test. Remember that the testers know they're dealing with young children. My DC was fighting with allergies, and I was worried that would negatively impact the scores. The tester said not to worry. It happens. DC did just fine.

I find prepping to be strident and if a parent thinks their DC will do poorly unless prepped, I feel sorry for that DC. Any child with a basic amount of interaction from an educated parent will do average or better. Are people who feel the need to prep admitting that they have dropped the ball as far as parenting? Do they think that they can pay someone to make up for that. Doubtful and, yes, the testers can spot it a mile away.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Few questions -

1) Is either the WISC-IV or WPPSI preferred at this age? Schools seem to take both, but which one would you think would be better for your entering-Kindergartener to take?

2) Any recs for a test-giver in the Bethesda area?

3) Did you specifically prep your 4 year old for these tests, or just have them take as is?

TROLL alert

[Anonymous]

I find prepping to be strident and if a parent thinks their DC will do poorly unless prepped, I feel sorry for that DC. Any child with a basic amount of interaction from an educated parent will do average or better. Are people who feel the need to prep admitting that they have dropped the ball as far as parenting? Do they think that they can pay someone to make up for that. Doubtful and, yes, the testers can spot it a mile away.

I appreciate this is your benchmark for your child and your parental skills. I do not quibble with your benchmark.

[Anonymous]

Few questions -

1) Is either the WISC-IV or WPPSI preferred at this age? Schools seem to take both, but which one would you think would be better for your entering-Kindergartener to take?

2) Any recs for a test-giver in the Bethesda area?

3) Did you specifically prep your 4 year old for these tests, or just have them take as is?

If your child is reading and writing at 5 and can add, subtract, divide and knows the multiplication tables forwards and backwards. You have absolutely nothing to worry about. It does not matter which test he or she takes from any average tester. The score will be a home run and you can take that to the bank. If on the other hand you wait for the school system or other osmotic power to teach your youngster to read and play with numbers all bets are off...You can also take that to the bank.

[Anonymous]

Um, but there is no reading, writing or math on the WPPSI. I don't understand the relevance. Basic picture identification and some block design, but it is an age-appropriate test.

[Anonymous]

Um, but there is no reading, writing or math on the WPPSI. I don't understand the relevance. Basic picture identification and some block design, but it is an age-appropriate test.

You can recite all the Potomac pscychological poppycock you wish. 5-year-olds capable of reading, writing and mathematics (through division and multiplication) will hit whatever area elementary school entrance test you put before them out of the park. It doesn't matter the test. That's the relevance.

[Anonymous]

PS. I have not met a 5-year-old that did not.

[Anonymous]

I think your post fuels parents' anxiety. You don't have to be a child genius to score well on the WPPSI, and it is an aptitude test, not an achievement test.

[Anonymous]

What is the difference between an aptitude and an achievement test? You throw this jardon around as if aptitude and achievement are discrete and dichotomous concepts with no overlap. How do you determine whether a test is an aptitude or achievement test? Or do you simply read the label and paper wrapping.

[Anonymous]

I think your post fuels parents' anxiety. You don't have to be a child genius to score well on the WPPSI, and it is an aptitude test, not an achievement test.

Who said you had to be a genius to do well on the WPPSi test? Many 5 and 6-year-olds who can read, write and have mastered multiplication tables are far from geniuses but they'll hit the WPPSI or any other US elementary school entrance exam out of the park. You seem hung up and infatuated with more jargon -- "gifted" and "genius" or "achievement" versus "aptitude". This is really nonsense spun by the educational industrial complex. A very average 5 to 6 year old can master the multiplication tables and be taught to read and write. It's simply a question of the priorities parents set for their children. In our country, parents are generally free to set whatever priorities for their children they desire or to allow their children to set the priorities for them.

[Anonymous]

Interesting thread here - I am not sure if it is "unethical" to prepare for any testing..unless you have actually stolen a copy of the actual test.

I picked up 2 books at Costco last year that were workbooks that I knew my kids would enjoy and thought this should be the stuff that my kids were learning. I don't feel the current pre-school my kids are at challenges them enough with puzzles, matching etc.
Fast forward a year and I am finally deciding to pull my kids out of their current preschool bc a)my son is going to K anyway and b) although his school has K I dont think I can justify the money for that specific school.
I have to get him tested and have never even heard of the WPPSI test before or know anything about it. Come to find out that the workbook I got him last year has very similar questions.
How can anyone in their right mind call this UNETHICAL? It is obviously not the same questions but I am it is the same concept.

[Anonymous]

I think there's a simple test: If you'd be comfortable disclosing in detail to the tester exactly what you'd done with your child, then it's probably not improper prepping. If you're hesitant about making that disclosure, then it might not be proper.

[Anonymous]

Another silly argument. Why should the "conflicted" tester be the final arbiter here? After all we parents spend so much time "shopping" for the "right" tester of similar faith, ethnicity, persuasion for the "easy" and accommodating grade or score. Where is Craig's list when you need it?