the sarcasm is on you.

Anonymous wrote:

No, no, PP, you're lying! You had your son in HGC test prep class twice a week for 5 months! Also, you cheat on your taxes. DCUM says so, and if DCUM says so, it's so!

Who is this nut?

Don't have have better things to do than hanging out at test prep bars?

(^^^I was being sarcastic. I apologize for not making that clear.)

No, no, PP, you're lying! You had your son in HGC test prep class twice a week for 5 months! Also, you cheat on your taxes. DCUM says so, and if DCUM says so, it's so!

Who is this nut?

Don't have have better things to do than hanging out at test prep bars?

Please remind me....are we talking about 3rd graders here - the HGC test???

My DS got into the HGC without any prep - he just went in, took the test and did well. There was no pressure on him from us, his parents, or anyone else to freak out about the test or "prep" for it. He was in third grade, after all.

If these parents are like this with their 3rd graders, I really feel badly for these kids as they approach the challenges (not just academic) of middle school, AP classes in high school, etc.

Again, as some of the PPs mentioned, the HGC test is kind of a "common sense" test - by looking at the question you either get it or you don't.

Please remind me. How many take the test? Of those that take the test how many get HGC selected? What is the success rate?

It must be apiece of cake. Not really a challenge because it's an easy test and the success rate is high. I bet it is much easier to get into the HGC than to register for an AP class?

You are such a smart poster.

Anonymous wrote:Please remind me....are we talking about 3rd graders here - the HGC test???

My DS got into the HGC without any prep - he just went in, took the test and did well. There was no pressure on him from us, his parents, or anyone else to freak out about the test or "prep" for it. He was in third grade, after all.

If these parents are like this with their 3rd graders, I really feel badly for these kids as they approach the challenges (not just academic) of middle school, AP classes in high school, etc.

Again, as some of the PPs mentioned, the HGC test is kind of a "common sense" test - by looking at the question you either get it or you don't.

No, no, PP, you're lying! You had your son in HGC test prep class twice a week for 5 months! Also, you cheat on your taxes. DCUM says so, and if DCUM says so, it's so!

Please remind me....are we talking about 3rd graders here - the HGC test???

My DS got into the HGC without any prep - he just went in, took the test and did well. There was no pressure on him from us, his parents, or anyone else to freak out about the test or "prep" for it. He was in third grade, after all.

If these parents are like this with their 3rd graders, I really feel badly for these kids as they approach the challenges (not just academic) of middle school, AP classes in high school, etc.

Again, as some of the PPs mentioned, the HGC test is kind of a "common sense" test - by looking at the question you either get it or you don't.

I prepped my DD in the sense she took the classes. She didn't take the test though because she is happy at her school.

You work hard, you will do well. Latent potential and innate talent is a gift from God. To reach your full potential and maximize the promise of your talent - you have to work hard. It can be academics, music, sports ...what have you. There is no substitute for hard work. Genius is 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration.

Sure if that floats your boat.

My kids think the gift is from Santa Claus.

Wait till they find out the truth when they learn math and science.

I have no beef with the "no-prep" parents. My child benefits when their child does not prepare.

Not always. Remember the "tax paying" parents of the Romney ilk. Etch a sketch lying is a disease and cancer. They speak in lies and half truths much like many "no-prep" parents. You and I know who they are. Same characters when we were in school bragging about how much they never studied.

I'm sure you know the type.

I have no beef with the "no-prep" parents. My child benefits when their child does not prepare.

Anonymous wrote:

This whole no-prep is the best attitude is why Americans score so low internationally. For some reason, the kids have to be good at academics not by working hard but by born smart. I didn't grow up in this country. When I was in schools the highest praise everyone wants to get is working hard. That is also the first thing people think of when someone achieved something academically.

The fact is very few people are operating at Phelps level. Those are the potential Nobel Prize winners. But a lot more people can become college professors, doctors, and engineers. This is where working hard will set a child apart.

I have a different take. "no-prep" attitude is a facade (typical American smokescreen) many prep but can't cut it.

It's like taxes. Americans all pay taxes attitude but ask the prototypical American -- like Romney and his disciples -- and you find out they do not pay taxes and hide their assets in overshore banks. they hate immigrants but hire them to work their estates and corporations

the discussion about my kids got in (magnets, Ivy, etc) without prep (folk living in Montgomery County's fine suburbs) is a symptom of the same disease.

at least it provides makes for laughs both abroad and at home.

You work hard, you will do well. Latent potential and innate talent is a gift from God. To reach your full potential and maximize the promise of your talent - you have to work hard. It can be academics, music, sports ...what have you. There is no substitute for hard work. Genius is 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration.

Many groups have enrichment schooling in these areas [math, reading (includes vocabulary) and writing skills (includes grammar) ] after school and on the weekends [for HGC, magnets and TJ]. The results on admission to all these programs is outstanding. Albeit, all these kids are bright and many would probably get in anyway.

Some work on these topic areas alone (self-study) or in groups. This is their "test prep". Either way the results are fantastic!!!!

NP: I have no problem with this and I have no problem Phelps used his time after school and on the weekends prepping in the pool at that age.

Do you have evidence that practicing these mental exercises improves performance on the test?

And yes, preparing well in mathematics, reading, and writing presumably does help you on the test. But that's not test prep. That's schooling.

Many groups have enrichment schooling in these areas [math, reading (includes vocabulary) and writing skills (includes grammar) ] after school and on the weekends [for HGC, magnets and TJ]. The results on admission to all these programs is outstanding. Albeit, all these kids are bright and many would probably get in anyway.

Some work on these topic areas alone (self-study) or in groups. This is their "test prep". Either way the results are fantastic!!!!

Do you have evidence that practicing these mental exercises improves performance on the test?

And yes, preparing well in mathematics, reading, and writing presumably does help you on the test. But that's not test prep. That's schooling.

But the HGC test doesn't test math, reading, writing, and grammar (or spelling).

Again: nobody is saying that children shouldn't work hard in school.

So what? All my children used these mental exercises and practiced these topics well. This is the best prep to score very high on the HGC test. The best. HGC does test mathematical, reading and writing skills.

You had better believe it and not what friendly the package insert of your HGC- IQ test tells you.

Children who have prepared well in mathematics, reading and writing will do very well on this exam.

Those who are not facile in these areas (the basics) will NOT do as well.