Middle School Magnet Test

[Anonymous]

Rumor and studies have it one can improve one's score by 300 points on this SAT aptitude test by studying and preparation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Rumor and studies have it one can improve one's score by 300 points on this SAT aptitude test by studying and preparation.

The college counselors' report concludes that, on average, prep courses yield only a modest benefit, "contrary to the claims made by many test-preparation providers." It found that SAT coaching resulted in about 30 points in score improvement on the SAT, out of a possible 1600, and less than one point out of a possible 36 on the ACT, the other main college-entrance exam, says Derek Briggs, chairman of the research and methodology department at the University of Colorado in Boulder and author of the admissions counselors' report.

[Anonymous]

The college counselors' report concludes that, on average, prep courses yield only a modest benefit, "contrary to the claims made by many test-preparation providers." It found that SAT coaching resulted in about 30 points in score improvement on the SAT, out of a possible 1600, and less than one point out of a possible 36 on the ACT, the other main college-entrance exam, says Derek Briggs, chairman of the research and methodology department at the University of Colorado in Boulder and author of the admissions counselors' report.

If you deep down believe what you print here than waht's the fuzz over prepping and studying for entrance exams? If the gains are modest as you claim then why all this discussion? Let those who prepare and study simply waste their time for these modest gains -- at best. Since by "implication" it doesn't matter what you do.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

The college counselors' report concludes that, on average, prep courses yield only a modest benefit, "contrary to the claims made by many test-preparation providers." It found that SAT coaching resulted in about 30 points in score improvement on the SAT, out of a possible 1600, and less than one point out of a possible 36 on the ACT, the other main college-entrance exam, says Derek Briggs, chairman of the research and methodology department at the University of Colorado in Boulder and author of the admissions counselors' report.

If you deep down believe what you print here than waht's the fuzz over prepping and studying for entrance exams? If the gains are modest as you claim then why all this discussion? Let those who prepare and study simply waste their time for these modest gains -- at best. Since by "implication" it doesn't matter what you do.

This is courses and coaching... I don't believe the study has data on students going in cold versus their own at home prep.

[Anonymous]

Is there are scientific difference between prepping at home, at Kaplan, with a tutor or some other method?

Some students have increased their scores (implies taken the test at least once before) 300 points by each and/or all of the methods above. Does it matter the agent (e.g., home, tutor parlor, workbook) or is it the process (attentiveness, focus, drive, discipline, steadiness and repetition) that's required that really matters in the end?

In other words, if you are a lazy bum it does not matter how many workbooks you buy, repeat tests, or checks signed for test prep -- the benefit of your preparation will be modest at best.

[Anonymous]

This is courses and coaching... I don't believe the study has data on students going in cold versus their own at home prep.

Do you belief a kid taking 5 AP courses (with 5s on the May exams) in Math, English Literature, History and Physics who has studied and prepared hard all year long is going into the SAT or any standardized test for that matter "cold". I doubt it. In high school, my study and preparation for AP exams each year was overkill (several fold) for any standardized test (SAT aptitude, ACT, SAT subject tests) I ever took. If you asked me whether I studied and prepared for the SAT I would counter every single year in high school in my course work and preparation covered every possible generic aptitude or standardized test imaginable. The subject matter of the SAT or any such test was a small part of my educational menu in middle and high school. What's to be embarassed about? Why pretend I didn't study or prep? In fact, given the low bar for standardized tests, some of us over studied and prepared as we were interested in performing well in our courses and knocking all our AP exams out of the park. 2400 on the SAT was simply gravy at the end of the day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

The college counselors' report concludes that, on average, prep courses yield only a modest benefit, "contrary to the claims made by many test-preparation providers." It found that SAT coaching resulted in about 30 points in score improvement on the SAT, out of a possible 1600, and less than one point out of a possible 36 on the ACT, the other main college-entrance exam, says Derek Briggs, chairman of the research and methodology department at the University of Colorado in Boulder and author of the admissions counselors' report.

If you deep down believe what you print here than waht's the fuzz over prepping and studying for entrance exams? If the gains are modest as you claim then why all this discussion? Let those who prepare and study simply waste their time for these modest gains -- at best. Since by "implication" it doesn't matter what you do.

My opinion is that most people have a natural "ceiling" on these kinds of tests. Prepping will help to insure that you will come closer to the ceiling, but I don't believe that prepping will magically transform an average kid into a whiz on standardized exams. People who score extremely highly on these types of exams are smart, no matter what type of preparation (or lack thereof) they received. I had a friend in HS who took the SAT 4 or 5 times with a lot of studying in between. He raised his score over a hundred points between the first and second test, but the last several tests all clustered around the same score. Clearly he had reached his ceiling.

[Anonymous]

If you belief we all have our ceiling and that can't change then it is fine to study and prepare for tests. There is really no "unfair" advantage as we are all born with a fixed ceiling. No one should therefore be concerned about the preparation and study habits of others. It doesn't matter since we each have a physiologic ceiling we cannot exceed.

Of course, I completely disagree. But most think like you and still make a fuzz about students prepping and therefore cheating on tests. If there are no gains beyond one's own biological ceiling then how can one cheat by studying and preparing?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you belief we all have our ceiling and that can't change then it is fine to study and prepare for tests. There is really no "unfair" advantage as we are all born with a fixed ceiling. No one should therefore be concerned about the preparation and study habits of others. It doesn't matter since we each have a physiologic ceiling we cannot exceed.

Of course, I completely disagree. But most think like you and still make a fuzz about students prepping and therefore cheating on tests. If there are no gains beyond one's own biological ceiling then how can one cheat by studying and preparing?

I was the PP and I don't think preparation is cheating; I think it's prudent. Now there's a "fairness" issue in that some parents might help their children do their best by preparing and others won't, but there's not much that can be done for that. I wonder how much of an issue that really is for the population applying to these programs though?

[Anonymous]

I was the PP and I don't think preparation is cheating; I think it's prudent. Now there's a "fairness" issue in that some parents might help their children do their best by preparing and others won't, but there's not much that can be done for that. I wonder how much of an issue that really is for the population applying to these programs though?

You make the argument our children have their own ceiling (fixed). Then what is so unfair about guiding, helping and steering our children in the direction of reaching that fixed ceiling. What is unfair about a teacher or parent helping a child and student reach their potential or fixed ceiling? Is this not the definition and duty of parenting?


I will only reach my own fixed ceiling by preparation and studying but will never reach your much higher ceiling. What's unfair about each of us reaching our own ceiling through whatever means or lack thereof?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

DD got in Clemente computer science program. There are preparation that you CAN do.
1. Raven test, do more raven questions exercise will slightly increase the point but not too much. It is rather a long term training of their spatial conception which start playing music instrument at an early age (4 or 5 yo) will greatly increase the ability.
2. Reading comprehension, read read and read, min. 2 or 3 grade above grade level.
3. Math test, again, min. of 2 grade above grade level. Answers have to be fast and correct. No time to re-check.
4. Writing, be creative with contents. This year's question was What can community do (something like that) I believe many many students answered picking up trash, recycling... These kind of answers do not stand out to the selection committee. Of course, the essay has to be well constructed, and grammatically correct.

Hope it helps.

Good lord. This is cheating and immoral. I'm shocked you are allowed to parent children. Don't you know prep is not allowed and we don't prep our children. I wish the schools would screen out all the cheaters.

Whatever. If you decided not to prep your children, and don't believe prep can help, then by all mean go ahead and do nothing, and let your children land wherever.
There aren't failing students, there ARE lazy parents.

Who has greater chance to enter elite colleges? Students in rigorous academic programs in high school.
What is the main student body of high school magnet and RMIB? Middle school magnet students.
What is the main student body of middle school magnet ? Elementary school GT students.

So be naive, do nothing, and hope you get a bright child who can figure out everything by himself and get on board. I'm sure many many other parents appreciate your naive-ness.

[Anonymous]

My children were born bright and intelligent. That's why homework and worksheets are a waste of time. Children should be left alone to play. School is unecessary. Parents are superfluous. These smart children need to bypass school and go straight to Washington and fix Congress.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My children were born bright and intelligent. That's why homework and worksheets are a waste of time. Children should be left alone to play. School is unecessary. Parents are superfluous. These smart children need to bypass school and go straight to Washington and fix Congress.

Unfortunately some kids acquire brightness and intelligence through effort and schooling. So, are we all going to forgive the parents who help these unfornate kids!

[Anonymous]

Some nincompoops would rather prosecute parents for cheating who instill in their children the longterm benefits of preparation and hardwork rather than allowing these gifted geniuses the freedom to play and create in their poop unsupervised.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

This is courses and coaching... I don't believe the study has data on students going in cold versus their own at home prep.

Do you belief a kid taking 5 AP courses (with 5s on the May exams) in Math, English Literature, History and Physics who has studied and prepared hard all year long is going into the SAT or any standardized test for that matter "cold". I doubt it. In high school, my study and preparation for AP exams each year was overkill (several fold) for any standardized test (SAT aptitude, ACT, SAT subject tests) I ever took. If you asked me whether I studied and prepared for the SAT I would counter every single year in high school in my course work and preparation covered every possible generic aptitude or standardized test imaginable. The subject matter of the SAT or any such test was a small part of my educational menu in middle and high school. What's to be embarassed about? Why pretend I didn't study or prep? In fact, given the low bar for standardized tests, some of us over studied and prepared as we were interested in performing well in our courses and knocking all our AP exams out of the park. 2400 on the SAT was simply gravy at the end of the day.

I'm not sure I understand your point, every kid is not in that situation, actually the majority are not.