The poster above is an excellent example of not having the exact form of a test (+ answers) or the exact test and answers before CoGAT. This is ethical standing at its highest levels. There was no cheating involved.

That is for life, not for a test. I prepare for life. I do things with my daughter because she liked them. Not because it will improve her test scores.

Me too, that is why we have been in Kumon math and reading since she was 3 and 1/2. We did not know what CoGAT was/is when she turned 8 but she smacked that test (including SCAT and SSAT) out of the heavenly park. Preparation for life is a good thing when one doesn't specifically prep for any tests.

Sounds like the goals and outcomes of "test prep", "game prep", "music prep", and "life prep" are all intertwined. As long as you do not have the "exact form of the test" beforehand you are good to go according to FCPS.

One sign of intelligence is the ability to perceive differences among items or concepts that may seem to be the same but are not.

One does not need to have the actual test questions and answers beforehand to "test prep". One can "test prep" using "life prep" materials ... practicing building shapes and patterns with legos, puzzles and other mental games with numbers and letters. One can use these "life prep" strategies and materials with your children even before taking CoGAT or IQ tests. It does not matter the intensity, frequency of this practice and engagement with your children. Since this is really practicing for life it is not cheating or unethical even if these mental training is ongoing before sitting for an IQ test or CoGAT. Psychologists, educators and more importantly Madame Carol Horn of AAP (FCPS) endorses "life prep" ... even days before the CoGAT.

Here's the explanation of the difference again:

This thread is complete bull. You want to make it so prepping for the CogAT is the same as practicing sports. The same as music.

It is different. Prepping for the CogAT by using sample questions is akin to forging a birth certificate so an older kid can play on a younger travel team. It is like the elite athlete trying to be the best by taking Human Growth Hormones. It is like the mucisian using a recorded piece instead of a live piece at a concert.

In all fields, there are ways to cheat. And at all levels.

I have seen, in house sports leagues, teams breaking rules on recruiting at the 8 yo level.

It happens. And it is wrong.

OK, we all in Fairfax County without the benefit of the actual test and answers beforehand are preparing our children for life...even if we like to "test prep" or "life prep" with patterns, puzzles, games, shapes, and legos.

"life prep" or 'test prep" who gives a damn if tat the end of the day this prep improves the outcome and scores of CoGAT or GoCAT

Anonymous wrote:

Find me a psychologist who will advise for prepping for the CogAT (not GoCAT). It is different. It is a proxy for an IQ test. You should not prep for an IQ test, as it can bias the score in a manner unrelated to intelligence. You live life. You teach your kids, but you do not stand over the kids drilling for CogAT. It may increase the score, but will not improve the overall intelligence.

Then why do you prep your kids with puzzles, games, legos and shapes? Does this improve performance on an IQ test?

Intelligence is like strength -- it can be improved.

That is for life, not for a test. I prepare for life. I do things with my daughter because she liked them. Not because it will improve her test scores.

Find me a psycholgist who would approve of your intensely exposing your child to shapes, legos, puzzles (mental training) days before CoGAT or an IQ test?

Will mental training before an IQ test improve mental score?

Will physical training before a physical test improve physical performance or score?

Find me a psychologist who will advise for prepping for the CogAT (not GoCAT). It is different. It is a proxy for an IQ test. You should not prep for an IQ test, as it can bias the score in a manner unrelated to intelligence. You live life. You teach your kids, but you do not stand over the kids drilling for CogAT. It may increase the score, but will not improve the overall intelligence.

Then why do you prep your kids with puzzles, games, legos and shapes? Does this improve performance on an IQ test?

Intelligence is like strength -- it can be improved.

Anonymous wrote:

There is a difference between preparing for life and preparing for the CogAT (not GoCAT). I did puzzles with DD, built patterns with legos with her, and many other things. I did it to help her grow as a human. Not to get a better score on a test.

Psychologists, educators and learned parents will agree this is excellent 'test prep' for GoCAT ... years before or the night before.

Find me a psychologist who will advise for prepping for the CogAT (not GoCAT). It is different. It is a proxy for an IQ test. You should not prep for an IQ test, as it can bias the score in a manner unrelated to intelligence. You live life. You teach your kids, but you do not stand over the kids drilling for CogAT. It may increase the score, but will not improve the overall intelligence.

Even cats value the importance of "prep". If not, these creatures would starve to death.

Go CoGAT.

The goals of "test prep" for GoCAT is the same as "game prep" for swimming, lacrosse and violin: to improve outcome and score.

And to help cats be the very best that they can be...

And we wll always disagree because you are clearly trying to cheat to win. You may win some battles, but you will lose the war. You have zero ethics, and you children will learn that from you.

People who procure the exact test with answers ahead of the time are cheating. "Test prep" constitutes more than reviewing ahead of time the exact test with answers and therefore cannot legally or ethically be considered cheating. If this is the case then everyone cheats and passes this gene down to their progeny.

Chance favors the prepared or "test prepped" mind and body.


...Pasteur and Darwin

The goals of "test prep" for GoCAT is the same as "game prep" for swimming, lacrosse and violin: to improve outcome and score.