Lower School Testing

[Anonymous]

Seems like a silly question - but for grades above first, but still lower school, do parents prep their kids at all for the entrance testing?

[Anonymous]

Testing just isn't that important.

For the lower grades, you can't really prep for the WISC/WPPSI. It's an IQ test done by a psychologist/diagnostician. Following the testing center's instructions to get enough sleep and eat before the test is enough.

SSAT/ISEE testing usually isn't required until 5th or 6th grade. Prepping depends on your child's experience with standardized tests. If they're used to bubble answer sheets and score well, it probably isn't necessary. If they aren't used to it, then it's just an issue of whether you want to spent the time, money, and aggravation to prep.

[Anonymous]

There is also a significant school of thought on the WISC that you shouldn't and can't prep your child for it.

[Anonymous]

As silly as it may seem to some and the view that prep for tests like the WISC can't help, it is done.

[Anonymous]

Actually schools we are looking at don't use WISC at least after first grade. We're closer to Baltimore. Tests are Otis-Lennon School Ability Test and Stanford Achievement Test. Older elementary is ISEE.

[Anonymous]

13:25 again - even with other tests in the mix, I suspect you'd still find a small segment of parents who think they have to prep for these tests in order to gain an advantage. Having survived the admissions process twice, my advice is simply to have your kid get a good night's sleep before the test, have a hearty breakfast, and not let them get too wound up in the process.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Testing just isn't that important.

For the lower grades, you can't really prep for the WISC/WPPSI. It's an IQ test done by a psychologist/diagnostician. Following the testing center's instructions to get enough sleep and eat before the test is enough.

SSAT/ISEE testing usually isn't required until 5th or 6th grade. Prepping depends on your child's experience with standardized tests. If they're used to bubble answer sheets and score well, it probably isn't necessary. If they aren't used to it, then it's just an issue of whether you want to spent the time, money, and aggravation to prep.

It's been a number of years, but I think testing still matters for the selective schools. Though you can't prep, the selection of the right tester is critically important. For those in the know, there a testers with a track record of getting students into select schools. Ask around among those already in your target school who do not have children competing for a spot. Do not believe anything you hear from fellow parents competing for slots.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Seems like a silly question - but for grades above first, but still lower school, do parents prep their kids at all for the entrance testing?

Agree w/one of the PPs - you can't really do it for WPPSI and WISC. I would focus more on a good night's sleep, protein breakfast, and an AM test slot.