Private school testing for kindergarten?

[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?

[Anonymous]

The wppsi for entering k.
No prep, it is unethical and wrong, though you are "prepping" in the good sense if you engage in conversations with your kids, read to them, do puzzles for fun etc.
The schools themselves provide lists of test takers, though you can use whomever you want as long as they are licensed to give the test.

[Anonymous]

The WPPSI and WISC are for different age groups, although they overlap. The WPPSI goes through 6 1/2, the WISC starts at 6. Once a child turns 6, it would look pretty strange to go with the WPPSI - as though you're trying for the easier test.

[Anonymous]

"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.

[Anonymous]

So you shouldn't tell your kid to be polite before their playdate either I suppose because that's unethical too? People may not like that they give these tests to 4-year olds, but if you want your child to do well and have a better chance of admission, then you should prep them. There are tons of brain teaser like games that do this - sorting, matching, puzzles, etc. They are designed so that the children enjoy them. Of course, if your child doesn't enjoy them, then you need to decide if you'd rather have them display that to you in advance so you have a chance to discuss with them or if you'd rather have them display that to the tester.

[Anonymous]

If you try to prep for the WPPSI, the test administrator will be able to recognize it and will note it in their write-up.

To each their own, though.

[Anonymous]

I made the "unethical and wrong" statement days ago specifically because there are posters like the one who wrote a few posts above. I said nothing about teaching your kids manners or playing games that are educational and fun. Any psychologist can tell you that the WPSSI is invalid if you prep. It is wrong and unethical because it is cheating. I also recommend that you teach your children that cheating is wrong, but that is my point of view.

[Anonymous]

I would rather have DC wing it on the WPPSI, then have a report sent out in which the tester uses code language that the kid was prepped. DC can only take the test once a year. If a tester writes that your DC was prepped, then your DC will need to wait a full year till she or he can take the test again.

FWIW, we did wing it. We did, however, schedule the test early in the day and made sure that our DC had a protein breakfast. If you have books and blocks in your home, your child will do fine.

[Anonymous]

The wppsi for entering k.
No prep, it is unethical and wrong, though you are "prepping" in the good sense if you engage in conversations with your kids, read to them, do puzzles for fun etc.
The schools themselves provide lists of test takers, though you can use whomever you want as long as they are licensed to give the test.

What do you mean? If everyone does it than we are all unethical and wrong according to your logic. I can't imagine anyone not having fun with their children? You can't have it both ways.

[Anonymous]

If you try to prep for the WPPSI, the test administrator will be able to recognize it and will note it in their write-up.

To each their own, though.

Absolute malarky. Testers should recognize and appreciate a 5 or 6-year-old already reading and writing sentences that can add, subtract, divide and multiply. Such an accomplishment is not unethical or immoral on the part of either parent or child even if it prepares the child to ace any "American" IQ test. There are many 5 and 6 year-olds around the world performing at this level.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I made the "unethical and wrong" statement days ago specifically because there are posters like the one who wrote a few posts above. I said nothing about teaching your kids manners or playing games that are educational and fun. Any psychologist can tell you that the WPSSI is invalid if you prep. It is wrong and unethical because it is cheating. I also recommend that you teach your children that cheating is wrong, but that is my point of view.

By this logic, every high school student who studies vocabulary before taking the SAT is "cheating". These are admissions tests. Nobody suggested that the actual test be obtained, just that the skills used during the test be practiced in preparation.

[Anonymous]

14:54, chill. Testers pick up on when kid says "oh, my mom played this with me," etc. five or six times over the course of the test. Some parents buy the WPPSI materials then run their kids through the various possible tests, etc. Remember, they are trying to measure aptitude, not just current ability. Simply because a 5 y.o. can read does not necessarily mean that she or he is gifted, etc.

[Anonymous]

I know a few 5 and 6 year-olds that can read and write and are very advanced in mathematics (for age). These kids scored very high on the IQ tests. They were not cheaters or unethical and they did not learn these skills by osmosis. They were prepared ("prepped") by educated parents. Such "prepping" built a foundation that continues to lead to high academic and intellectual performance and success -- including acing WPSSI, SAT (aptitude) and other achievement-type tests.

[Anonymous]

14:54, chill. Testers pick up on when kid says "oh, my mom played this with me," etc. five or six times over the course of the test. Some parents buy the WPPSI materials then run their kids through the various possible tests, etc. Remember, they are trying to measure aptitude, not just current ability. Simply because a 5 y.o. can read does not necessarily mean that she or he is gifted, etc.

Crap. I do not know what you mean by gifted. That's your term. But if your 5 or 6-year old is taught to read, write and his multiplication tables, he or she will usually ace any entry level test. Take your pick. It has nothing to do with giftedness but everything to do with parents spending a little time (45 min a day) for many years (quality and consistent) teaching and mentoring their children. This is not cheating. This is not unethical or immoral. On the contrary, we need more of this. And if kids ace silly admission entrance tests with this "prepping"... so be it.

[Anonymous]

It is cheating if by prepping you mean obtaining components of the test or the test itself. Never said it was cheating to have a home full of fun games and good conversation. maybe the disagreement here is simply semantics and how we define prepping.