I had a 2nd grader this last year and if they did in fact take the Raven then they did not share the results or apparently use them, so I really doubt they actually took it. We only got Inview results with the GT letter than came home in June. The letter said they used the Inview results, classwork, teacher and parent recommendations to make the GT determinations.

Anonymous wrote:This is for my raising 2nd grader. I used an Aristotle Peer as a substitute activity for a camp day. It was fun and easy. Now i received an email from Aristotle about test prep. Are families prepping their kids for Highly Gifted Centers admissions tests? I understand SATs, but for Grade 2?? At the same time, I do not want my child at a disadvantage, especially since I think she has a very good chance without prepping. My gut says don't prep, but what happens if she misses the cutoff by one or 2 questions???

I have one DC in HGC and the other going in the fall. The HGC test is separate from the Raven and InView given as part of the second grade global screening. As far as I know, the second grade test scores are not used at all. Maybe if HGC test scores are borderline, they might look at Raven? Doing well on Raven also doesn't affect placement in school. MAPR and the new test they have in place for compacted math curriculum determines placement. Under 2.0, there is no advanced math until fourth grade

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They don't even give the Raven test in grade 2 (just the inview), so yes this is crazy. HGC test is in grade 3 and like PPs have said I don't think anyone knows what is on that one. Even if you could prep, do you really want to do that? If your kid can't get in on their natural abilities do you really want them there struggling?

Students definitely do take the Raven test in 2nd grade - check out the explanation of the SIPPI - http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/uploadedFiles/curriculum/enriched/about/Understanding%20Screening.pdf

Also, teachers will still see the scores so I wouldn't take a chance and not prepare - the score may influence recommendation letters. I heard acceptance rates are below 5% in some places - that's lower than Harvard! There's no way you shouldn't try to get ready for these crazy tests.

Has anyone heard of or used this Aristotle Peers? I can't seem to find too much info about them.

Yes they are based in NYC near me - sell textbooks, tutoring etc. They are known to be both good and expensive.

Please stop sock puppetting on behalf of Aristotle Circle. This poster, who is the OP, is replying to herself. This has been a repeated occurrence. I have said it before, but I will say it again: do not trust anything you read her about Aristotle Circle. I would also suggest that a company that engages in such marketing practices should be avoided.

This is crazy. Certainly nobody in our red zone HGC prepped for the test. We forgot to even tell our child that he would be taking an admission test. For the Raven and InView the teachers discussed it with them prior.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They don't even give the Raven test in grade 2 (just the inview), so yes this is crazy. HGC test is in grade 3 and like PPs have said I don't think anyone knows what is on that one. Even if you could prep, do you really want to do that? If your kid can't get in on their natural abilities do you really want them there struggling?

Students definitely do take the Raven test in 2nd grade - check out the explanation of the SIPPI - http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/uploadedFiles/curriculum/enriched/about/Understanding%20Screening.pdf

Also, teachers will still see the scores so I wouldn't take a chance and not prepare - the score may influence recommendation letters. I heard acceptance rates are below 5% in some places - that's lower than Harvard! There's no way you shouldn't try to get ready for these crazy tests.

Has anyone heard of or used this Aristotle Peers? I can't seem to find too much info about them.

Yes they are based in NYC near me - sell textbooks, tutoring etc. They are known to be both good and expensive.

Anonymous wrote:They don't even give the Raven test in grade 2 (just the inview), so yes this is crazy. HGC test is in grade 3 and like PPs have said I don't think anyone knows what is on that one. Even if you could prep, do you really want to do that? If your kid can't get in on their natural abilities do you really want them there struggling?

Students definitely do take the Raven test in 2nd grade - check out the explanation of the SIPPI - http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/uploadedFiles/curriculum/enriched/about/Understanding%20Screening.pdf

Also, teachers will still see the scores so I wouldn't take a chance and not prepare - the score may influence recommendation letters. I heard acceptance rates are below 5% in some places - that's lower than Harvard! There's no way you shouldn't try to get ready for these crazy tests.

Has anyone heard of or used this Aristotle Peers? I can't seem to find too much info about them.

The reason I mentioned that 60% did not get in was not because I was trying to suggest that my kids are the "real deal" ...all I am trying to get across is that I am not sure that if the prep helped or that they got in on raw ability...in all the evaluation tests the prep center gave them, my kids were placed at the bottom of the class.

So - I have not really seen a benefit in content mastery but the boys did learn to sit for long periods of time taking prep tests. (Or maybe they stopped complaining...who knows). They did not really learn anything new and different from what their MCPS 3rd grade home room teacher taught them. Yet, when the time comes for MS magnet ...I will be getting the two boys there.

And - yes - I would rather see my kids run for President and VP together for our dear nation than see these jobs outsourced too,

The test prep must have helped them. I agree. I certainly didn't hurt ... even if the only benefit is getting them to sit still? This also takes raw talent astutely prepared, don't you think?

Anonymous wrote:

I hear you. DS and BFF are exceptionally bright...but I gave in to the same fear and got him prepped. Also convinced the BFF parents to do the same. The prep was way harder than the actual test.


Those who are running these prep classes (for 3rd graders) have no idea what will be on the test...so its a shot in the dark.

Only thing I think it helped in was - test taking strategies as well as the ability to sit still for such a long test. Both of them got in however.

BTW - 60% of those who prepped along with DS in the academy did not get in

.


That's great. Your 8 year-olds must really be the real deal. Will they run for President and VP together of our dear nation?

The reason I mentioned that 60% did not get in was not because I was trying to suggest that my kids are the "real deal" ...all I am trying to get across is that I am not sure that if the prep helped or that they got in on raw ability...in all the evaluation tests the prep center gave them, my kids were placed at the bottom of the class.

So - I have not really seen a benefit in content mastery but the boys did learn to sit for long periods of time taking prep tests. (Or maybe they stopped complaining...who knows). They did not really learn anything new and different from what their MCPS 3rd grade home room teacher taught them. Yet, when the time comes for MS magnet ...I will be getting the two boys there.

And - yes - I would rather see my kids run for President and VP together for our dear nation than see these jobs outsourced too,

They don't even give the Raven test in grade 2 (just the inview), so yes this is crazy. HGC test is in grade 3 and like PPs have said I don't think anyone knows what is on that one. Even if you could prep, do you really want to do that? If your kid can't get in on their natural abilities do you really want them there struggling?

...blessing of the third grade team and Principal?

I hear you. DS and BFF are exceptionally bright...but I gave in to the same fear and got him prepped. Also convinced the BFF parents to do the same. The prep was way harder than the actual test.


Those who are running these prep classes (for 3rd graders) have no idea what will be on the test...so its a shot in the dark.

Only thing I think it helped in was - test taking strategies as well as the ability to sit still for such a long test. Both of them got in however.

BTW - 60% of those who prepped along with DS in the academy did not get in

.


That's great. Your 8 year-olds must really be the real deal. Will they run for President and VP together of our dear nation?

They don't even give the Raven test in grade 2 (just the inview), so yes this is crazy. HGC test is in grade 3 and like PPs have said I don't think anyone knows what is on that one. Even if you could prep, do you really want to do that? If your kid can't get in on their natural abilities do you really want them there struggling?

I hear you. DS and BFF are exceptionally bright...but I gave in to the same fear and got him prepped. Also convinced the BFF parents to do the same. The prep was way harder than the actual test.


Those who are running these prep classes (for 3rd graders) have no idea what will be on the test...so its a shot in the dark.

Only thing I think it helped in was - test taking strategies as well as the ability to sit still for such a long test. Both of them got in however.

BTW - 60% of those who prepped along with DS in the academy did not get in.

Nope, ignore it, must be a marketing thing to prey on poor parents. My understanding is the Raven test was used in 2nd to identify candidates for the HGC test. Now anyone in 3rd grade can take the HCG test (which is not the Raven test). Hope this makes sense! So bottom line, skip this test prep!

In answer to your question you are crazy. Anything else you wish to know.

This is for my raising 2nd grader. I used an Aristotle Peer as a substitute activity for a camp day. It was fun and easy. Now i received an email from Aristotle about test prep. Are families prepping their kids for Highly Gifted Centers admissions tests? I understand SATs, but for Grade 2?? At the same time, I do not want my child at a disadvantage, especially since I think she has a very good chance without prepping. My gut says don't prep, but what happens if she misses the cutoff by one or 2 questions???