Aptitude test?

[Anonymous]

During my college years I attended a summer language immersion program. There were military personnel there who had been given aptitude tests that identified them as especially capable of learning a certain language as well as pinpointed other good career choices. I've thought how cool it would be to take a test like that. Does anyone here have experience with aptitude tests? I'm thinking it may be helpful for my high schooler as she gets closer to applying to college.

[Anonymous]

let her be. She should figure out on her own what she wants to do, not delegate that decision to a test. I can imagine the test coming back saying she's not strong at X, so she scratches X off her list even though its an area she loves. Tests are imperfect.

People who know they have an affinity for foreign languages learn that on their own.

[Anonymous]

I disagree ^^ I think an aptitude test is a good tool for helping identify strengths and paths your average 17 or 18 year old might not think of. It's just one more piece of information. You don't have to take the results as gospel. And if it shows a kid has less aptitude for a career or area they want to pursue, it really just tests how deep their interest is. If they still want to pursue it, you know you have some strong motivation there.

I thought FCPS high schools were having kids do more aptitude and interest related tests.