MS magnet test - is it really this hard

[Anonymous]

Can OP clarify? Is this the test to be admitted to the Takoma math and science magnet? If so, what is the test? I don't understand the "math part of the magnet test" because I would assume the Eastern and Takoma magnets had totally different tests.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Can OP clarify? Is this the test to be admitted to the Takoma math and science magnet? If so, what is the test? I don't understand the "math part of the magnet test" because I would assume the Eastern and Takoma magnets had totally different tests.

They don't have totally different tests. Applicants to both Eastern and TP have to complete the same reading comprehension and spatial reasoning portions of the test. Eastern applicants also have to complete a timed essay whereas TP has to complete a mathematical reasoning portion.

[Anonymous]

My kids got into both MS magnets & both Blair & RMIB. No prep. I can tell you this- you may get in through 'prepping' but the math classes at Blair are killer- you either know it or are screwed!

[Anonymous]

Does anyone know what past writing prompts have been used for Eastern's test?

[Anonymous]

OP. I am talking about the math/science magnet.

[Anonymous]

Both schools are good, but it's a trade off. No one can compete w/ the math/science at TPMS- but be prepared for crappy English & history. The reverse for Eastern- their English/history fantastic, science & math a horror.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Does anyone know what past writing prompts have been used for Eastern's test?

Community service, career, last year was about after school activities. They are generally broad but last year was narrower. You can google 30 minute essay prompts for middle school. There is a private school test that includes an essay if you want your child to practice. Also make sure your child is familiar with the grading rubric. It's in the test booklet.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Both schools are good, but it's a trade off. No one can compete w/ the math/science at TPMS- but be prepared for crappy English & history. The reverse for Eastern- their English/history fantastic, science & math a horror.

My child is at Eastern and I agree with this. I have heard one of the 6th grade science teacher is ok but mine has an awful teacher. Math teacher is weird too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Does anyone know what past writing prompts have been used for Eastern's test?

Community service, career, last year was about after school activities. They are generally broad but last year was narrower. You can google 30 minute essay prompts for middle school. There is a private school test that includes an essay if you want your child to practice. Also make sure your child is familiar with the grading rubric. It's in the test booklet.

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Can anyone whose child took test recently confirm if you really need to understand algebraic equations and other 8th and 9th grade concepts?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Both schools are good, but it's a trade off. No one can compete w/ the math/science at TPMS- but be prepared for crappy English & history. The reverse for Eastern- their English/history fantastic, science & math a horror.

My child is at Eastern and I agree with this. I have heard one of the 6th grade science teacher is ok but mine has an awful teacher. Math teacher is weird too.

PP, our kids must have the same math and science teachers. I could never have imagined a science teacher being this bad - I now realize that it is possible to learn almost nothing in a class. I agree, both schools have fantastic magnet teachers and weaker non-magnet teachers, though Takoma is overall stronger in the non magnet classes.

[Anonymous]

My DS is taking test this Saturday. I'll let you know about this

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
The reason all the tests are hard is that they are built to differentiate between high-performing students. The tests are fine-grained and target the right hand portion of the bell curve.

Anyway, no need to worry, the point is to do better than the other test-takers

This. It's designed to distinguish among kids at the top tail of the score distribution, the kids who would otherwise be bunched together indistinguishably at the 99th percentile. So your kid doesn't need to get 100% on this test, they just need to do better than the other kids.

Also, it's a proprietary test created for MCPS by the Pearson company, under contract, I believe. So you can't find copies online or elsewhere. Although test prep companies do try.

Signed, former TPMS parent

[Anonymous]

They refer to it as the SCAT so I assumed its the intermediate version of the test which has algebra, some geometry, concepts like slope, etc. that they have not come even close to covering in compact math even.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They refer to it as the SCAT so I assumed its the intermediate version of the test which has algebra, some geometry, concepts like slope, etc. that they have not come even close to covering in compact math even.

Who refers to it as the SCAT?

You can find sample questions here: http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/uploadedFiles/curriculum/specialprograms/middle/MS_TestPrepBookletWeb.pdf

I don't see any concepts that they have not come even close to covering in compact math even.