ISEE/SSAT Preparation

[Anonymous]

Oops, pp here. Meant to say "sell packages."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

I am totally against prepping for the WIPPSI but did do some prep for the SSAT. Part of the reason was to lower my DC's anxiety about the SSAT -- something that wasn't an issue for the WIPPSI. But the other reason is because a child doesn't need to know "how" to take the WIPPSI, but the process for the SSAT does need to be learned. You probably can get that from books (and even the SSAT people themselves will send you the book, they know there has to be some prep), but I felt the one on one helped my DC avoid test-taking anxiety.

I love your rationale here. I can just see you in front of a Judge!

I have no idea what you mean by this. These are two entirely different tests. The presents of one (the WIPPSI) specifically say a child shouldn't prepare, while the presenters of the second (the SSAT) specifically say that a child should prepare. So this isn't my rationale.

[Anonymous]

I have no idea what you mean by this. These are two entirely different tests. The presents of one (the WIPPSI) specifically say a child shouldn't prepare, while the presenters of the second (the SSAT) specifically say that a child should prepare. So this isn't my rationale.

The WPSSI presenters claim this is an IQ test -- as such preparation will not help the subject. Therefore, what difference does it make if someone prepared however they choose to -- eat, poop and sleep or play with puzzles, piano, numbers, objects and read. Don't hide your true motives behind "presenters"...whom ever these ghosts be. Why not admit that you are upwardly mobile, expect high performance of your children and see to it by providing them with advance preparation and tools for the challenges that lie ahead (entry into pre-K, entry into Grade 4, 6, 7 and 9, and entry into College). There's no shame here.

[Anonymous]

I'm not ashamed but I did no prep, none, when my kids applied to pre-K. So this really should be directed to someone else. I did do prep for my daughter for the SSAT and I've explained why thats different. I truly don't understand why you are attacking me.

[Anonymous]

I take from your reply the only entrance test that requires no preparation in your child's educational life cyle is the WPSSI for pre-K? All other entrance examinations will therefore require preparation? Tell me what is so unique and special about WPSSI compared to all other entrance tests in the educational life cycle of modern mankind? Particularly in light of evidence that this fickle test is subject to variables that are uncontrollable (tester has a beard, child has the blues, child is hungry, child got out of the wrong side of bed, parent or tester got out of wrong side of bed) and does not correlate with downstream success (in those tests you admit you will prepare your child for)? Why prepare your child for all others except mother WPSSI? Doesn't make one lick of sense.

[Anonymous]

Since the WPSSI test does not correlate with future performance and it's an IQ test and you cannot study or prepare for it no one really cares whether you prepare for it ... or not. Neither approach is a badge of courage in the grand educational scheme.

[Anonymous]

I heartily agree. Since over 90 percent of DCUMMIES report scores of 99.9% this is clearly a meaningless yardstick and haughtiness over prepping or not prepping seems a waste of time with the overinflation of stratospheric scores in the D.C. area.

[Anonymous]

OK, I now realize why I was attacked. There are posters who have some kind of fixation on the WIPPSI, and it really has nothing to do with the SSAT. My mistake was mentioning "WIPPSI" cause it got them all crazed. I suspect these are posters with younger children applying to elementary school, no exposure to the SSAT, and so they really don't know why I'm making this distinction.

Honestly, I don't care if you prep you kids for the WIPPSI and I have no interest in whether or not its a reliable test. I was just pointing out that there is a difference between the two. Any parent who had actually gone through both processes with a child would agree.

[Anonymous]

One of my friend was also preparing for this and got a good tutor
You can check this website

http://www.elitetutoring.pro/test-preparation/

[Anonymous]

Tutoring center was a waste of time/$ for my rising 9th grader. Practice tests are much more helpful. Taking multiple tests helps too because you can get a different SSAT in Jan. than you may have in the fall. Many HS will accept scores from the Jan test date even if they come in after the official application date -- but check first.