when to start studying for 8th grade PSAT

[Anonymous]

What HS program requires a PSAT score?!? Not because I do not believe you but because I do not know of any and would like to.

I cannot imagine any SAT test prep class with 8th graders, so you're going to need a 1 on 1 tutor. Just call one of the companies and ask them when you should start.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How are you treating the anxiety?
I don't know when your ds is taking the PSAT so I can't say when he should start studying. My 9th grader took the PSAT in the fall - the whole 9th grade took it - and the school said not to study.

When he was taking the ISEE a few years ago we started him with prepping for it maybe 2-3 months ahead of time.

My ds just started prozac and I think it is helping the anxiety.

What is the ISEE? Is it similar?
This is the first answer that points me toward a direction, rather than just criticizing the question. 2-3 months sounds about right, I think. That was the question, how far in advance of the test. It's taken in the 8th grade for those interested in this high school program.

We've tried a couple of medications, but it's not a generalized anxiety, which makes it more difficult to find the right one, I think. It's more of a performance anxiety. He's fine on a day-to-day basis. So it's hard to find something that you need once every couple of months, if that. Plus, would he get sleepy or have some other side effect from the medication during the test? It seems risky, when what he really needs is practice taking the test, so he can be thinking, oh, yeah, I recognize this type of question, or, even if I don't know this one, I might know the next one, etc. And test taking techniques, like how to pace yourself through it. It took him forever for me to convince him that if he doesn't know the answer on a test, just skip it and come back. He was convinced you were supposed to answer the questions in order, so he would sit and spend forever trying to figure out one answer, wasting all his time, instead of moving on to easier ones.

To answer pp, I think he'd be fine in the program as opposed to the test because during the test he's got all this negative self-talk (I'm going to fail, I can't do this, I suck, I'm stupid, etc) that is paralyzing, but it's not something that comes up for regular homework and tests in school. We are working on it, but I don't want everything to rest on his being to apply his techniques successfully on the day of the test.

Yes, the ISEE is a test that kids take when applying to private schools. Private schools accept the ISEE and SSAT and we chose to have our ds take the ISEE. We bought a prep book and bribed ds with like $5 for each section he completed and theen $20 for each practice test he took.

Anxiety sucks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think you need to get a professional assessment of your son instead of talking to strangers online about strategies and medications. You have 4.5 years until he goes to college. Of less import is this program, of greater import is an emotionally healthy and capable young man when he is out on his own.

Seriously? The question i am asking is when is a good time to start studying for a PSAT given in 8th grade.

Everything else has been in response to the negativity that I want my kid to go through a study guide. He is being counseled for the anxiety. The therapist has told us (and we've learned over time) that the best thing for him is familiarity with the thing that causes anxiety. So, I'd like him to go through a couple of practice tests, get some tips, etc. The only reason I keep responding is because I'm still looking for advice. I didn't take this test until high school and I don't have anxiety.

It's hard not to feel frustrated when the question is so simple but I have to defend my asking it over and over without anyone giving an opinion.

You said he couldn’t handle trying out for a sports team after being treated for anxiety. You asked when and people are telling you it’s not a good idea. If you insist then perhaps ask a test prep service, but more experienced parents are giving you valuable advice. Heed it or don’t, but don’t complain that you don’t like the answers.

I'm not OP but most people really don't understand anxiety. A lot of the advice on this thread has not been great.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How are you treating the anxiety?
I don't know when your ds is taking the PSAT so I can't say when he should start studying. My 9th grader took the PSAT in the fall - the whole 9th grade took it - and the school said not to study.

When he was taking the ISEE a few years ago we started him with prepping for it maybe 2-3 months ahead of time.

My ds just started prozac and I think it is helping the anxiety.

What is the ISEE? Is it similar?
This is the first answer that points me toward a direction, rather than just criticizing the question. 2-3 months sounds about right, I think. That was the question, how far in advance of the test. It's taken in the 8th grade for those interested in this high school program.

We've tried a couple of medications, but it's not a generalized anxiety, which makes it more difficult to find the right one, I think. It's more of a performance anxiety. He's fine on a day-to-day basis. So it's hard to find something that you need once every couple of months, if that. Plus, would he get sleepy or have some other side effect from the medication during the test? It seems risky, when what he really needs is practice taking the test, so he can be thinking, oh, yeah, I recognize this type of question, or, even if I don't know this one, I might know the next one, etc. And test taking techniques, like how to pace yourself through it. It took him forever for me to convince him that if he doesn't know the answer on a test, just skip it and come back. He was convinced you were supposed to answer the questions in order, so he would sit and spend forever trying to figure out one answer, wasting all his time, instead of moving on to easier ones.

To answer pp, I think he'd be fine in the program as opposed to the test because during the test he's got all this negative self-talk (I'm going to fail, I can't do this, I suck, I'm stupid, etc) that is paralyzing, but it's not something that comes up for regular homework and tests in school. We are working on it, but I don't want everything to rest on his being to apply his techniques successfully on the day of the test.

Maybe his own parents are giving him anxiety? I know that you will find some way to maintain your denial but really for the sake of your son please consider backing off a little bit.

Every kid doesn’t HAVE to be on elite sports teams or enrolled in special programs in order to be happy and fulfilled in life. In fact for some people it may actually be the exact opposite.

Have you tried to let him know that his parents will not reject him if he chooses not to try out for the team or study for the special school if he doesn't want to? Sometimes taking ownership of your own life can be empowering.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What HS program requires a PSAT score?!? Not because I do not believe you but because I do not know of any and would like to.

I cannot imagine any SAT test prep class with 8th graders, so you're going to need a 1 on 1 tutor. Just call one of the companies and ask them when you should start.

PGCPS. It’s given universally to all eighth graders to determine eligibility to their specialty high schools.

[Anonymous]

I have a 7th grade boy who sounds very similar to yours. He has ADHD and generalized anxiety disorder. He also has slow processing speed. He was in private school for years, where he bombed standardized tests. As in, scored at 10% and below....

He's in a public school and now scoring in the high average area on those MAP tests (?).

First, unless he's super motivated for that program, I would not put him through any of it. None. I'd discuss other options with him.

If he is super-motivated, I'd put him in a structured test prep program where you are removed from the situation. The whole parent/student mix can exacerbate anxiety even if you don't mean it to.

Third, I'd still have him plan out a Plan B if he doesn't get in. Or even a Plan C. Having the options clearly defined beforehand helps reduce anxiety. "I may not get into X, but Y is pretty interesting too."