Correlation between SCAT and SAT results for 7th grader

[Anonymous]

Thanks for posting this, 13:14! We are a year away from the SAT and your advice is helpful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think kids intially found eligible for CTY may be a dime a dozen (although that is an exaggeration), but the number who actually participate in the program by taking courses is much smaller.

That's because their prices are absolutely ridiculous and their course offerings never change from year to year.

+1000

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My DC took the SCAT in elementary school and will take the SAT this month. The norming from the testing agencies will obviously be different; I don't know if CTY will publish norms for its kids. Revive this thread when the results come out and we can check in with each other!

One difference that will be significant is that for the SCAT, DC was well-rested. Now DC is overloaded with homework and runs a chronic sleep deficit into the weekend. Saturday morning will not be optimal performance time.

In any event, there was no prepping for either test. I think I'd better make sure DC knows about guessing on the SAT, though.

Why is your DC so overloaded with homework? What. Grade is he/she in?

[Anonymous]

A perfectionist 8th grader taking two courses for high school credit and studying two musical instruments.

[Anonymous]

My child took the SAT in middle school for CTY also. No test prep per se, only looked at the materials that were sent after registration. Earned a very good score for a middle schooler and is at TJ now- no prep for that either.

I wouldn't assume that the child's demeanor after the exam is indicative of how well s/he did. It is a long exam, anyone would be tired. And we've all walked out of exams thinking we didn't do so well and actually got a high score... and the reverse.

Good luck to you and your child!

[Anonymous]

OP, it looks like your DC's SAT scores are set to come out this week. You do not have to post the results, but wish you the best.

[Anonymous]

I frankly don't understand this hostility against test prep. Like one of the previous pp, who considers looking at analogy books as prep. What's wrong with looking at a sample test? Even college board and ETS have dropped heir claims that these tests are for aptitude only. No prep can get a child 800 in Math if he does not understand the material. But to a smart child, it may mean a difference between very good to excellent. No prep does not tell you natural ability. It tells you what you get if you see those question formats for the first time.

[Anonymous]

I think OP expressed regret that they did not prep their kid, if I remember correctly. In any case, since the child is only in 7th grade, there is no harm done. Now, at least they have one, real-circumstances test prep under their belt ffor HS.

[Anonymous]

I know she did. I am commenting on the general sentiment of the thread.

[Anonymous]

I frankly don't understand this hostility against test prep. Like one of the previous pp, who considers looking at analogy books as prep. What's wrong with looking at a sample test? Even college board and ETS have dropped heir claims that these tests are for aptitude only. No prep can get a child 800 in Math if he does not understand the material. But to a smart child, it may mean a difference between very good to excellent. No prep does not tell you natural ability. It tells you what you get if you see those question formats for the first time.

How does one measure natural ability in a bubble and out of the historical context or what a child has read and studied in the remote or recent past?

[Anonymous]

I frankly don't understand this hostility against test prep. Like one of the previous pp, who considers looking at analogy books as prep. What's wrong with looking at a sample test? Even college board and ETS have dropped heir claims that these tests are for aptitude only. No prep can get a child 800 in Math if he does not understand the material. But to a smart child, it may mean a difference between very good to excellent. "No prep does not tell you natural ability. It tells you what you get if you see those question formats for the first time."

I agree more refried gooblygook

[Anonymous]

No hostility toward SAT and ACT prep. People generally don't have a problem with prep for the college entrance examinations like the SAT and the ACT since, as you say, they are not aptitude tests, but tests of the subject matter taught in high school.

But let's face it, an unprepped perfect score for a high school junior is way more impressive than a prepped score. These are tests of all you have learned in school so an unprepped perfect score shows a much better than average command of the coursework taught in high school.

[Anonymous]

No hostility toward SAT and ACT prep. People generally don't have a problem with prep for the college entrance examinations like the SAT and the ACT since, as you say, they are not aptitude tests, but tests of the subject matter taught in high school.

But let's face it, an unprepped perfect score for a high school junior is way more impressive than a prepped score. These are tests of all you have learned in school so an unprepped perfect score shows a much better than average command of the coursework taught in high school.

Only a fool will assume an "unprepped" 800 is way more impressive since this individual has prepped deligently through reading and longstanding study. What's so impressive?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

No hostility toward SAT and ACT prep. People generally don't have a problem with prep for the college entrance examinations like the SAT and the ACT since, as you say, they are not aptitude tests, but tests of the subject matter taught in high school.

But let's face it, an unprepped perfect score for a high school junior is way more impressive than a prepped score. These are tests of all you have learned in school so an unprepped perfect score shows a much better than average command of the coursework taught in high school.

Only a fool will assume an "unprepped" 800 is way more impressive since this individual has prepped deligently through reading and longstanding study. What's so impressive?

Exactly. Reading and longstanding study over time are quite different than drilling test questions closer to the time of the test.. It is more impressive to remember material learned a long time ago through reading than it is to repeat answers that were crammed for the test very recently. It's the difference between memorizing material just for a test and really knowing and having command of subject matter.

[Anonymous]

Nonsense. You can't improve your score on an aptitude test by studying the night before. And if you can this has to be the most impressive feat. Not studying hard for 10 years before the exam. Anyone can get a medical degree if you take 10 rather than 4 years to study the material. I am more impressed by the individual who can do this over night over a couple of hours. This is true power and aptitude.