Thanks 13:18 and 13:45 for that info!

Both Huntington and C2 can work with your child to get them ready.

For those who want their kids to prep -

1) MCPS booklet -
http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/uploadedFiles/c.../MSMagnets-TestPrepBooklet.pdf

2) Test Prep Centers or coaching -
a) Kumon
b) A Plus center
c) Dr. Li - MathEnglish.com


3) Online Resources -
a) ALECS
b) IXL
c) Khan Academy
d) Beestar.org
e) Free Raven Tests online.

4) DIY
a) SSAT workbooks
b) English and Math workbooks - bought from Costco, Amazon.com
c) Math textbooks.

There are two private coaching classes in MoCo. Dr. Li's MathEnglish.com and another one called Aplus in Rockville.

It really does not prep them for the exam content. Inspite of what you hear. The value you get is for making them familiar with how to take the tests and being able to sit and concentrate for that long.

My kids have done both the classes and have got in ALL programs they have applied to - but - a HUGE majority of kids from these coaching classes also do not get in. The success rate is only between 30- 40 % and I am being very generous with this number.

The biggest problem with these classes is that they will not help your kid succeed if your kid is not already quite bright academically. The content they teach is a shot in the dark.

However, since they use a ton of SSAT and other books to teach the kids - maybe you can do the same.

Inspite of all these caveats, I have recommended many of my friends whose kids are very gifted to use these programs.

Try Aplus1.

Anonymous wrote:I cannot recommend a book and I am not convinced your child needs one. My kid got into both TP as well as Eastern. He did not prep for the test but did spend much of one weekend filling out the application form and writing the essays. I gave him the sample test booklet (from MCPS) the week before the test and he did the sample tests a couple of days before the exam and we discussed the format together. The night before, I insisted he get lots of sleep and I think that helped because it is a very long exam and it starts pretty early. There is a Math section and a Reading Comprehension section, the essay section and something else. I'm not really sure how you would 'prep' a child for this. Maybe brush up on your multiplication tables???

I could have written this post w/regard to my son, who got into both TP and Eastern as well. We did exactly what PP did (i.e., not much).

I recently showed my child the MCPS booklet and he rushed through the math and made careless errors. He is strong in math (in an HGC and compacted math) but I think it will be worthwhile to do some prep since the nature/format was different from other tests he has taken.

Anonymous wrote:Here are "other parents" who's kids did not take any classes and more than passed the exams...and just reccomend a good breakfast the morning of.

I think that it might make sense to do test prep for kids who are smart but do not do well on standardized tests. Can't hurt, might help.

Here are "other parents" who's kids did not take any classes and more than passed the exams...and just reccomend a good breakfast the morning of.

You can find workbooks that have the same types of questions as those in the prep bookle from Mcps.

Anonymous wrote:Can anyone recommend a middle school magnet prep class for the Mont. Co. School middle school magnet test for December or what books to buy to prep our child. Other parents have highly recommended we take these classes. Their children did not get in. Thank you for recommendations.

Did the children who did not get in take these classes that the other parents are highly recommending?

There is a class. I think it's mathenglish.com

I cannot recommend a book and I am not convinced your child needs one. My kid got into both TP as well as Eastern. He did not prep for the test but did spend much of one weekend filling out the application form and writing the essays. I gave him the sample test booklet (from MCPS) the week before the test and he did the sample tests a couple of days before the exam and we discussed the format together. The night before, I insisted he get lots of sleep and I think that helped because it is a very long exam and it starts pretty early. There is a Math section and a Reading Comprehension section, the essay section and something else. I'm not really sure how you would 'prep' a child for this. Maybe brush up on your multiplication tables???

http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/uploadedFiles/curriculum/specialprograms/middle/MSMagnets-TestPrepBooklet.pdf

I have seen the test info above.

Can anyone recommend a middle school magnet prep class for the Mont. Co. School middle school magnet test for December or what books to buy to prep our child. Other parents have highly recommended we take these classes. Their children did not get in. Thank you for recommendations.