Ugh! Should have hired a tutor for SSAT :(
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Anonymous
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It looks like 5th grade DS (who is a go-getter and does very well in school) is going to bomb the SSAT in a couple of weeks. I really wish DH and I had put him in a class or hired a tutor but it's too late now.
We purchased the Kaplan SSAT & ISEE prep book and have been working with DS for about 6 weeks. He took a practice test and did pretty poorly. We've reviewed test strategies, math concepts, vocab, etc. I'm wondering if I should have signed him up for the ISEE or if that would have made a difference at all. Perhaps knowing when to answer and when to skip a question is throwing him off. I'm not having the scores sent directly to the schools, but by the time we receive the results from the 12/10 test, it may be too late to retake it. DS reviews the SSAT material with no complaints, he goes over flash cards, takes notes, etc.. He knows that doing well will help his chances of being admitted to his top choice school. I'm trying not to stress out about it and I'm trying not to stress out DS. He had a good interview and tour, great report card and wrote a good essay. Seriously hoping that this test doesn't ruin his chances. 
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Anonymous
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Community College and Manager of McDonalds it is then!
Just kidding OP. But seriously, it will be fine. Go take a walk and relax! |
Anonymous
| Hello, why is it too late to hire a tutor? Also, he can take the January test, even though it sucks. Also, just have him take the ISEE too, it doesn't have to be either/or. my MS applicant DD took both (ISEE once and SSAT THREE times). good luck, I know this is stressful. people will tell you it doesn't matter, I don't know if it does or doesn't, but it felt like it mattered to us. |
Anonymous
LOL OP here. Thanks for the laugh! A walk sounds like an excellent idea. |
Anonymous
Thanks, PP. DS has struggled with anxiety at times so DH and I are trying to figure out how to balance keeping him sane with making his application as favorable as it can be. How did your DD feel about the SSAT vs the ISEE? Did her score improve from the first to the third sitting of the SSAT? Thanks!! |
Anonymous
| Hi, we didn't study at all for ISEE and she didn't do as well on it. Her scores improved from the first to the third taking of the SSAT, going up 7 % points overall. She got into her first choice school and of course we don't know if she would have gotten in anyway. . .. I know people say it is crazy to put your kids through so much stress, but from our perspective, she is SO MUCH HAPPIER in private for MS than she was in public that it was definitely worth it to make the application as strong as possible. Maybe it will actually reduce his stress to hire a tutor so he doesn't feel he has to bear this test alone..... GOOD LUCK!!!!!! |
Anonymous
| DD has anxiety and did better on ISEE. |
Anonymous
| Professional test prep might really help the anxiety. That's what they do for a living. We got help for our daughter and she doubled her scores. She had the abilities before, but the tutoring helped her manage the test, her anxieties, etc. There is nothing wrong with needing that support. Follow yyour instincts. You have time. our daughter took the ISEE eary december and then the SSAT beginning of January. Good luck. |
Anonymous
+1 |
Anonymous
| You're getting good advice here, OP. there's still a lot you can do to help and you are so lucky that your kid isn't fighting it. |
Anonymous
| Hire a private tutor for 2-3 sessions this week. It's not too late. |
Anonymous
| Or you can let him test as the kid he really is, not the kid you've prepped him to be just to see if a school will take him. Perhaps if they don't accept the "real" him, it's not the right school after all . . . |
Anonymous
And, thus, OP, you can free up a spot for the ^PP's kid, who is a 'real' kid. Sigh. |
Anonymous
| Where can I find an SSAT tutor? |
Anonymous
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Call Eagle Eye Tutoring - (202) 288-5498 - ask for Garrett Lowe.
He is a co-owner, has kids of his own, grew up in DC privates, and is really good at getting kids ready for the SSAT. He may not be able to work directly with your kid but will have a great person who can. They can squeeze in multiple session in a couple of weeks. He worked with both of my kids and lots of other kids I know and helped them all tremendously. If your kid is a good student and smart, that is great but the SSAT is more about strategies and knowing the best approach. Garrett and the Eagle Eye folks are GREAT at teaching that. Also, consider having your DS take a - FLEX TEST!!!! He would take the December test (good to get first sitting under the belt) BUT also go ahead and sign up to take a flex test (Garret/Eagle eye can explain how to do this) at the end of December regardless and focus more on preparing for that flex test (basically testing at a private location on date of your choosing). Flex tests get scored much more quickly. The dates for Flex Test fill up quickly so go ahead and book one now so you get the scores back in time. Flex Tests are common and dont indicate anything to a school. |