Middle school magnet testing for Takoma/ Eastern: have you received 'invite'?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:MCPS does not want kids to prep for this test. But MCPS created a document about getting ready for the magnet test. Our GT liaison in the school showed it to some parents. The test seems to be a combination of SCAT math section and SAT type reading comprehension passages. It seems interesting that this document exists with a title of sotheing like "Getting ready" for magnet tests, but parents do not have access to this information!

Well, that's interesting, because at the info meeting the MCPS rep specifically said that there would NOT be a math section. That it would be verbal reasoning and spatial (I can't remember the exact word she used, but basically that third category from the elementary GT testing). So this is diametrically different information if accurate.

I think it depends on which magnet you are eligible for. Clemente is using a different process than Eastern/Takoma Park and they are using different tests. For the Clemente Magnet I think there were prep materials and different tests for the math/sci/comp sci and Humanities/communications magnets. For Eastern and Takoma Park they are using the same test for both programs and there were NOT preparation materials.

It would probably be helpful and avoid confusion on this forum if posters were specific about the program they are giving information about.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:MCPS does not want kids to prep for this test. But MCPS created a document about getting ready for the magnet test. Our GT liaison in the school showed it to some parents. The test seems to be a combination of SCAT math section and SAT type reading comprehension passages. It seems interesting that this document exists with a title of sotheing like "Getting ready" for magnet tests, but parents do not have access to this information!

Well, that's interesting, because at the info meeting the MCPS rep specifically said that there would NOT be a math section. That it would be verbal reasoning and spatial (I can't remember the exact word she used, but basically that third category from the elementary GT testing). So this is diametrically different information if accurate.

I think it depends on which magnet you are eligible for. Clemente is using a different process than Eastern/Takoma Park and they are using different tests. For the Clemente Magnet I think there were prep materials and different tests for the math/sci/comp sci and Humanities/communications magnets. For Eastern and Takoma Park they are using the same test for both programs and there were NOT preparation materials.

It would probably be helpful and avoid confusion on this forum if posters were specific about the program they are giving information about.

Good point. This is a thread about Takoma/Eastern, and my comment (the "that's interesting" comment) was about the info meeting for those programs. Many of us were shocked that they were saying that there was no traditional math component to get into Takoma. If the previous poster was talking about Clemente, that would explain the comment that there would be a SCAT-like math section.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:MCPS does not want kids to prep for this test. But MCPS created a document about getting ready for the magnet test. Our GT liaison in the school showed it to some parents. The test seems to be a combination of SCAT math section and SAT type reading comprehension passages. It seems interesting that this document exists with a title of sotheing like "Getting ready" for magnet tests, but parents do not have access to this information!

Well, that's interesting, because at the info meeting the MCPS rep specifically said that there would NOT be a math section. That it would be verbal reasoning and spatial (I can't remember the exact word she used, but basically that third category from the elementary GT testing). So this is diametrically different information if accurate.

Yep - I think this is bad information. I think she's going off old info from past years or not in this cluster.

[Anonymous]

Here is the link to the Oct 12th information session on Takoma Park and Eastern Middle schools

http://mcpsmd.swagit.com/play/10122017-1163

8000 students are assessed, approximately 3000 are tested then there are 100 seats at each of the two schools. Offers are made and there is also a wait list of 40-50 kids per school in case offers are not taken up.

Each of the Magnet contacts for the schools gives a fairly comprehensive outline of the programs. The rest of curriculum for each school (so, Math and Science at the Humanities magnet, or Arts and English at the Science and Math magnet) matches the curriculum for the rest of the county.

At Eastern there are 7 classes per day, 4 of which are magnet: English, World Studies, Media and Literature (6th grade) the remaining classes are with general population.

At Takoma there are 8 classes per day, 4 of which are magnet.

The decisions are made by committee based on "pattern of performance", report cards for the 1st marking period of 5th grade, testing outcome (this test in January). There is no accounting for teacher or other recommendations but there is consideration for whether the kids can find an intellectual peer group in their local MS or need to switch out to find it.

Results in February.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I've heard the testers on January 6 are the top candidates, and the in-school testers are from lesser or weaker ES's.

Where did you "hear" this? I assumed my kid was taking it in school because they're at an HGC, so there would probably be enough takers to warrant an in-school test. I don't know of any individual kids who are taking it on a different date, either (although that doesn't mean there might not be one or two in other classes).

This is an interesting rumor, but without some kind of source, I'm not sure how seriously to take it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've heard the testers on January 6 are the top candidates, and the in-school testers are from lesser or weaker ES's.

Where did you "hear" this? I assumed my kid was taking it in school because they're at an HGC, so there would probably be enough takers to warrant an in-school test. I don't know of any individual kids who are taking it on a different date, either (although that doesn't mean there might not be one or two in other classes).

This is an interesting rumor, but without some kind of source, I'm not sure how seriously to take it.

Take it not seriously at all - your chain is getting yanked.

[Anonymous]

^^ OMG how could you not see that was sarcasm?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've heard the testers on January 6 are the top candidates, and the in-school testers are from lesser or weaker ES's.

I know it was sarcasm, but wanted to ask - are the other HGCs doing in-school testing? DD's entire HGC class is invited to test (so her teacher said), so it makes sense to do it in school. Maybe they decided based on % of kids testing?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've heard the testers on January 6 are the top candidates, and the in-school testers are from lesser or weaker ES's.

I know it was sarcasm, but wanted to ask - are the other HGCs doing in-school testing? DD's entire HGC class is invited to test (so her teacher said), so it makes sense to do it in school. Maybe they decided based on % of kids testing?

I think this must be the case.

[Anonymous]

Just got our letter yesterday for test date of Jan 8-12. Sorry to hear about the pilot test at Drew Es Dec 20. Clearly it is impossible to prepare for a test, but some kids benefit from reading the directions ahead of time and seeing the format. Especially bilingual kids. We are checking out other IQ type puzzles and test questions in SCat, Inview, COGAT.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just got our letter yesterday for test date of Jan 8-12. Sorry to hear about the pilot test at Drew Es Dec 20. Clearly it is impossible to prepare for a test, but some kids benefit from reading the directions ahead of time and seeing the format. Especially bilingual kids. We are checking out other IQ type puzzles and test questions in SCat, Inview, COGAT.

And in the case of my DD, some kids benefit from not being asked to concentrate for hours 2 days before Christmas break! Oh well, it is what it is. But I'm gonna say that if testing is going through mid-Jan, there's no chance results will be out in early Feb as planned!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just got our letter yesterday for test date of Jan 8-12. Sorry to hear about the pilot test at Drew Es Dec 20. Clearly it is impossible to prepare for a test, but some kids benefit from reading the directions ahead of time and seeing the format. Especially bilingual kids. We are checking out other IQ type puzzles and test questions in SCat, Inview, COGAT.

I don’t understand?

How are you able to read the directions ahead of time? Or do you mean that the kids who take it later will find out from the other kids what the format of the test it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just got our letter yesterday for test date of Jan 8-12. Sorry to hear about the pilot test at Drew Es Dec 20. Clearly it is impossible to prepare for a test, but some kids benefit from reading the directions ahead of time and seeing the format. Especially bilingual kids. We are checking out other IQ type puzzles and test questions in SCat, Inview, COGAT.

I don’t understand?

How are you able to read the directions ahead of time? Or do you mean that the kids who take it later will find out from the other kids what the format of the test it.

You can't - she's saying it would be beneficial if you could. But, everyone is at the same disadvantage - and if you provide certain information ahead of time, then, the people who can get and understand that information (and use for test prep or whatever) will have a benefit. This is their way of trying to make the playing field as even as possible going into the test. However, just as kids that go to museums, play board games, read lots, play with legos develop their brains in certain ways, they will most likely be coming at whatever the test throws them and be able to do reasonably well. And then there are some kids that will blow away the test simply because their brains work naturally to solve puzzles or because they are gifted at comprehension or spatial awareness etc. Those are the kids that will be lifted up and given the opportunity to go to the magnet school.

[Anonymous]

I request all the parents not to post what kind of test their kids will be taking tomorrow. It is unfair for Drew kids. Not posting the type of test will be fair to them.

[Anonymous]

Ok everyone - don't tell that it is a test of scholastic aptitude!