Reply to Advice (and maybe some reassurance) needed for DC who has strong grades but low SATs

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Whenever I hear good grades, low score I assume building-wide grade inflation and/or easy course load. What about AP exam scores (1-5), bombing those too?[/quote]

I'm not suggesting that grade inflation doesn't happen (of course it happens - from Harvard down to the local public high schools), but it's more rare in DC area schools than many on DCUM want to believe. Also, your theory doesn't take into account kids who have high IQ's coupled with low processing speeds (yes, that is a thing....) and anxiety about testing. Both of those things can cause a smart kid to not handle standardized testing very well. In addition, you don't factor in that the use of multiple choice testing is not favored in most local private schools, not are standardized tests. The kids are expected to write and analyze for their tests and most schools eliminate standardized testing by the end of middle school (few schools use the ERB's during the high school years). Although multiple choice questions could be considered easier, it is a different way of thinking and for kids who are not used to them it can be difficult. If you're going to point to grade inflation as a factor then you need to be fair and take these other factors into account also.

You ask about AP scores, but the OP indicated her child is working toward and IB Diploma which means the testing would happen after the 2 year program so they may not have any of those scores. OP - has your child take any AP tests? My DD completed the IB Diploma a few years ago and was not great at standardized tests, but she did take a few AP tests in 10th and 11th grade to see how she would do. She actually did great on them...not perfect scores, but a 720 and 780 which I think it good considering she hadn't actually taken the actual AP course, just her IB courses (which weren't even done yet). However, she still struggled with the SAT testing in the beginning. We did quite a bit of practice and she improved. My advice would be to continue practicing. Also consider some private sessions with a tutor rather than a group class - most kids get more out of a few private sessions than a longer group program.

Good luck![/quote]

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