TJ Test

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Agree! I wish they could but it would cost too much money. I’m hopeful that the change in tests will produce more authentic admissions this year although many of my kid’s friends seem to have taken prep classes. Can’t figure out what they were teaching when it was a new test!

There is prepping and then there is prepping. My DD is the one who did the FCPS Class last spring. It was 4 hours a week for 5 weeks. She did it then, and not later because the summer was shorter and she had a lot of fun stuff planned, and she had a busy fall planned. It actually covered the old test. It probably wasn’t a waste, because it taught some basic test taking strategies for,PSATs in HS, and it gave her some practice taking timed tests, since SOLs are untimed. We got her an Aspire Sample Test book this fall if she wanted to do some practices. But there was only one science book in print that I could find on Amazon, and it ended up being pretty far off of the test. And I’m not sure she did more than one practice reading and one practice science test. DH set her up with a couple of Kahn academy lessons on combinatorics, since that was new to her. That’s it. Different category than kids who prpepare for the test several hours a week starting in 6th grade and do a lot of homework.

A couple of her friends took week long summer classes, and they also basically did the old stuff. To the best I could tell, the ACT Aspire Reading was a known quantity, but the” prep” classes did a bad job at predicting the content in math and science. But maybe someone on here had a kid wh took a prep class that got it right.

DC's friend is in a hard core prep class in Chantilly - said the class helped in English/Science sections. No doubt they figure out what to teach the kids re test taking even when the test is changed.

Not really. I believe the prep stops your natural flow of thought process and the child is tuned to a certain way of thinking. Allowing your child to express their thoughts is a process of learning, the preps do more harm than good. I feel the child must be able to learn and figure things out on their own, lot of resources out there, if they have the interest they will find answers to the solutions on their own not because mom or dad wants it.

My DC was against prep. DC said Math was all Math counts and AMC 8. We cant tell how it was as my child doesn't know either. Science less time and English was easy. In the end if we make it or not we have not wasted our time nor money on the prep classes that sell you a dream.

[Anonymous]

Anyone who knows me will be able to know I wrote this. My son said, “Mom, if I have to prep to get in, maybe I shouldn’t be going.”

Wish more people were as smart as my (then) twelve year old.

[Anonymous]

"My DC was against prep. DC said Math was all Math counts and AMC 8. We cant tell how it was as my child doesn't know either. Science less time and English was easy. In the end if we make it or not we have not wasted our time nor money on the prep classes that sell you a dream."

How does DC know math was all math counts and AMC 8 if s/he doesn'tt know either?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Anyone who knows me will be able to know I wrote this. My son said, “Mom, if I have to prep to get in, maybe I shouldn’t be going.”

Wish more people were as smart as my (then) twelve year old.

I think you’d be surprised at how common this sentiment is.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:"My DC was against prep. DC said Math was all Math counts and AMC 8. We cant tell how it was as my child doesn't know either. Science less time and English was easy. In the end if we make it or not we have not wasted our time nor money on the prep classes that sell you a dream."

How does DC know math was all math counts and AMC 8 if s/he doesn'tt know either?

I am talking about Math TJ test. Because it was not straight forward Algebra and Geometry. The math questions were similar to Math counts and AMC8. DC cannot judge the performance on Math.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:First of all .. one "takes" a test not "gives". DD took the test today and found it to be quite easy. No Geometry questions and hardly any Algebra - quant q seems easier than previous years?

First, FCPS NEEDED TO GIVE the test in the testing window. And yes, the kids need to take it.

Second, no one likes the grammar police.


DC said Quant-Q was heavier on math reasoning than the old test but you did not need as much formal math knowledge. It was more a test of math reasoning and logic. And that science was very straightforward, but multi step with some short answer. And that English was typical English. Straightforward, but several question that had two answers that looked right, and you had to choose the best.

DC did not have a time issue, because DC has extended time under a 504. But DC said they suspect that without extended time, kids would have trouble finishing math and science. And that is whI am hearing from other parents— some kids did not finish math and/or science.

So does your child really need extended time? Wouldn't everyone benefit from extended time? Is it really fair that your DC gets it even if he/she has a 504?

Yes. DC reyally needs extended time. Based on extensive neuropsychology testing, which shows a GAI IQ of 145 and a PS IQ of 100- a 3SD deviation difference in IQ subtests, pLus an ADHD diagnosis and Audi processing in teShe can do the 145 IQ wok, but has to learn to slow her brain down Or the answers aren’t accurate. It has been described as one foot on the GS and mother on the break. She has using been using 504accommodations since 4th grade—including for SOLs, the IOWA, etc. and ha been working with an EF tutor on a regular basis, works with a psychologist, and took 2 semesters ofstrategies for success. Sh, she has been using the accommodations available to her in a number of for several years. This wa not a hey— let’s ty to get extra time on the TJ Test. These are legitimTe accommodations, backed by objective tetng, for a,real learning disability. Accommodating the disability the law, BTW.

Also, her brother is at TJ under similar accommodations. For test, for APs,for SATs, etc. lots of Taj kid shave accommodations. He grades are strong, and he belongs in the school. It works out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:"My DC was against prep. DC said Math was all Math counts and AMC 8. We cant tell how it was as my child doesn't know either. Science less time and English was easy. In the end if we make it or not we have not wasted our time nor money on the prep classes that sell you a dream."

How does DC know math was all math counts and AMC 8 if s/he doesn'tt know either?

I am talking about Math TJ test. Because it was not straight forward Algebra and Geometry. The math questions were similar to Math counts and AMC8. DC cannot judge the performance on Math.

I asked and DC said math was not like AMC or Mathcounts.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Anyone who knows me will be able to know I wrote this. My son said, “Mom, if I have to prep to get in, maybe I shouldn’t be going.”

Wish more people were as smart as my (then) twelve year old.

I don’t necessarily disagree with you or your son, but do you feel the same way about the SAT or other parts of college apps? What about MCAT, LSAT, GRE?

The TJ test and admission process have had flaws for many years, but I don’t think unprepped kids do better once at TJ than prepped kids. And there are certainly kids who might be a good fit who don’t prep and then don’t get admitted. Ability to work extremely hard is a key part of TJ success, and prepping would be one indicator of that dedication. Obviously the level of prepping will vary, and doesn’t need to be years in advance of drills, but let’s not be so quick to throw out basic preparedness with extreme prepping.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:"My DC was against prep. DC said Math was all Math counts and AMC 8. We cant tell how it was as my child doesn't know either. Science less time and English was easy. In the end if we make it or not we have not wasted our time nor money on the prep classes that sell you a dream."

How does DC know math was all math counts and AMC 8 if s/he doesn'tt know either?

I am talking about Math TJ test. Because it was not straight forward Algebra and Geometry. The math questions were similar to Math counts and AMC8. DC cannot judge the performance on Math.

I asked and DC said math was not like AMC or Mathcounts.

Then what was it like? What did your DC say?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:"My DC was against prep. DC said Math was all Math counts and AMC 8. We cant tell how it was as my child doesn't know either. Science less time and English was easy. In the end if we make it or not we have not wasted our time nor money on the prep classes that sell you a dream."

How does DC know math was all math counts and AMC 8 if s/he doesn'tt know either?

I am talking about Math TJ test. Because it was not straight forward Algebra and Geometry. The math questions were similar to Math counts and AMC8. DC cannot judge the performance on Math.

I asked and DC said math was not like AMC or Mathcounts.

Then what was it like? What did your DC say?

In DC's own words " It was like a math IQ test".

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Anyone who knows me will be able to know I wrote this. My son said, “Mom, if I have to prep to get in, maybe I shouldn’t be going.”

Wish more people were as smart as my (then) twelve year old.

I don’t necessarily disagree with you or your son, but do you feel the same way about the SAT or other parts of college apps? What about MCAT, LSAT, GRE?

The TJ test and admission process have had flaws for many years, but I don’t think unprepped kids do better once at TJ than prepped kids. And there are certainly kids who might be a good fit who don’t prep and then don’t get admitted. Ability to work extremely hard is a key part of TJ success, and prepping would be one indicator of that dedication. Obviously the level of prepping will vary, and doesn’t need to be years in advance of drills, but let’s not be so quick to throw out basic preparedness with extreme prepping.

Different poster here. All kids are different, of course, but when my child was at TJ, we noticed that many, not all, but many of the kids who had prepped hard in advance seemed to have more trouble with the work at TJ than those we knew hadn't prepped. A lot of the kids who had prepped seemed to need tutoring on a regular basis and/or would take outside classes that mirrored the same classes that they were taking at TJ, many times taking classes in the summer and then taking the same class at TJ during the academic year. The kids we knew who went back to their base schools were kids who had prepped.

And while the ability to work hard is useful at TJ, kids shouldn't need to work "extremely" hard. If a kid needs to work extremely hard (as opposed to just working hard) he/she would probably be a better fit for AP classes at the regular high school rather than the level of classes at TJ.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Anyone who knows me will be able to know I wrote this. My son said, “Mom, if I have to prep to get in, maybe I shouldn’t be going.”

Wish more people were as smart as my (then) twelve year old.

I don’t necessarily disagree with you or your son, but do you feel the same way about the SAT or other parts of college apps? What about MCAT, LSAT, GRE?

The TJ test and admission process have had flaws for many years, but I don’t think unprepped kids do better once at TJ than prepped kids. And there are certainly kids who might be a good fit who don’t prep and then don’t get admitted. Ability to work extremely hard is a key part of TJ success, and prepping would be one indicator of that dedication. Obviously the level of prepping will vary, and doesn’t need to be years in advance of drills, but let’s not be so quick to throw out basic preparedness with extreme prepping.

Different poster here. All kids are different, of course, but when my child was at TJ, we noticed that many, not all, but many of the kids who had prepped hard in advance seemed to have more trouble with the work at TJ than those we knew hadn't prepped. A lot of the kids who had prepped seemed to need tutoring on a regular basis and/or would take outside classes that mirrored the same classes that they were taking at TJ, many times taking classes in the summer and then taking the same class at TJ during the academic year. The kids we knew who went back to their base schools were kids who had prepped.

And while the ability to work hard is useful at TJ, kids shouldn't need to work "extremely" hard. If a kid needs to work extremely hard (as opposed to just working hard) he/she would probably be a better fit for AP classes at the regular high school rather than the level of classes at TJ.

Only time will tell if this new test sorts the applicants better or worse.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Anyone who knows me will be able to know I wrote this. My son said, “Mom, if I have to prep to get in, maybe I shouldn’t be going.”

Wish more people were as smart as my (then) twelve year old.

I don’t necessarily disagree with you or your son, but do you feel the same way about the SAT or other parts of college apps? What about MCAT, LSAT, GRE?

The TJ test and admission process have had flaws for many years, but I don’t think unprepped kids do better once at TJ than prepped kids. And there are certainly kids who might be a good fit who don’t prep and then don’t get admitted. Ability to work extremely hard is a key part of TJ success, and prepping would be one indicator of that dedication. Obviously the level of prepping will vary, and doesn’t need to be years in advance of drills, but let’s not be so quick to throw out basic preparedness with extreme prepping.

Different poster here. All kids are different, of course, but when my child was at TJ, we noticed that many, not all, but many of the kids who had prepped hard in advance seemed to have more trouble with the work at TJ than those we knew hadn't prepped. A lot of the kids who had prepped seemed to need tutoring on a regular basis and/or would take outside classes that mirrored the same classes that they were taking at TJ, many times taking classes in the summer and then taking the same class at TJ during the academic year. The kids we knew who went back to their base schools were kids who had prepped.

And while the ability to work hard is useful at TJ, kids shouldn't need to work "extremely" hard. If a kid needs to work extremely hard (as opposed to just working hard) he/she would probably be a better fit for AP classes at the regular high school rather than the level of classes at TJ.

Agreed. I know a few that are getting tutored after getting into TJ. Most of them are the ones that attended prep since 4th grade. Perhaps they shoudn't be there in the first place.

[Anonymous]

The thing anout those who prep starting in young grades (not just the summer begore 8th grade) that is so unnerving to me is that their parents must be deciding that TJ is who they must be (as opposed to the kids themselves saying "I think I'd be interested in a challenging school like TJ."

It seems to dismiss the kid's individuality in the equation of his or her life. As my kids are in upper elem and ms, I am realing how much they are their own persons....not mini-me. Hot-housing kids treats kids as though they are simply vessels for the parents' goals. This makes me sad for those who are "successful" at the task of getting into TJ after years of prepping.

[Anonymous]

Sorry for typos.

...About

...before

...realizing