Anonymous
Post 02/29/2024 12:14     Subject: Iowa test
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:In my DD's school, you get in trouble for studying for the IAAT. They say you could get into a class where you will struggle.

But the act of studying for IAAT helps kids learn the material that will make them successful in algebra. Why would you tell kids not to learn more?

You know why. One word that starts with E.
Anonymous
Post 02/29/2024 10:49     Subject: Iowa test
Our AAP center school strongly discouraged studying for the IAAT but did do a practice test 2 days before the actual IAAT. The practice test was focused on how to take a timed test, not on potential IAAT material.
Anonymous
Post 02/29/2024 10:27     Subject: Iowa test
Anonymous wrote:In my DD's school, you get in trouble for studying for the IAAT. They say you could get into a class where you will struggle.

But the act of studying for IAAT helps kids learn the material that will make them successful in algebra. Why would you tell kids not to learn more?
Anonymous
Post 02/29/2024 09:48     Subject: Iowa test
Our center did practice test but teacher wouldn’t let them know what questions they answered wrong. Just get them familiar to the times test.
Anonymous
Post 02/29/2024 09:46     Subject: Iowa test
Anonymous wrote:I do believe it is important for schools to give the kids a sense of what to expect. Most kids haven't done a single timed test by 6th grade, so having to do 15 problems in 10 minutes comes as a huge shock to the system. They are used to being slow, methodical, double check your work, etc. none of which is going to work in this format. Most kids adapt, but that first block is where the kids seem to stumble. It was certainly true when DD took her test a couple of years ago. Many kids that didn't know (their school did no prep) did 5 or 6 questions in the first block.

Another thing they need to know is that there is no negative grading. So, if you're running out of time, go ahead and choose some answer for all the questions you can't get to, instead of leaving them blank. For that matter, if they genuinely don't know how to solve a problem, don't waste time on it, just guess and move on.

There is certainly test taking strategy they should be taught, but no one bothers.


My DC had to take a different timed test (ISEE) this year, and I considered that all the studying needed. The first time DC did a practice for that they totally bombed because they had no idea how to do a timed test. It's a very different experience. And there are definitely guessing strategies that go along with a timed test that are totally different than an untimed one.
Anonymous
Post 02/29/2024 09:45     Subject: Iowa test
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:In my DD's school, you get in trouble for studying for the IAAT. They say you could get into a class where you will struggle.


In our school they gave 2-3 practices, so clearly there is a disconnect across FCPS. That said, a very large percentage of students were scoring high 90s on practice exams, so it appears practicing how to take the test wasn't all that necessary.


Our center did a few practice questions via YouTube. DD said they were easier than the actual test and kind of annoying because each practice gave them 40 seconds, versus the real test where they could pace themselves. So they didn't do actual tests.
Anonymous
Post 02/28/2024 19:09     Subject: Iowa test
Anonymous wrote:In my DD's school, you get in trouble for studying for the IAAT. They say you could get into a class where you will struggle.


In our school they gave 2-3 practices, so clearly there is a disconnect across FCPS. That said, a very large percentage of students were scoring high 90s on practice exams, so it appears practicing how to take the test wasn't all that necessary.
Anonymous
Post 02/28/2024 18:48     Subject: Iowa test
In my DD's school, you get in trouble for studying for the IAAT. They say you could get into a class where you will struggle.
Anonymous
Post 02/27/2024 22:08     Subject: Iowa test
Anonymous wrote:My oldest got a 99% with no prep. I don’t believe on prepping for this stuff - I didn’t want him in Alg 1 in 7th if he wasn’t ready. He’s not taking Alg 2 in 9th gr.

My middle took it today - also no prep. But I was not stressed - I think he does better as a big fish in a small pond and should wait until 8th for Alg 1 anyway. I guess we will see how he does.


Sorry he is NOW taking Alg 2 in 9th.
Anonymous
Post 02/27/2024 22:07     Subject: Iowa test
My oldest got a 99% with no prep. I don’t believe on prepping for this stuff - I didn’t want him in Alg 1 in 7th if he wasn’t ready. He’s not taking Alg 2 in 9th gr.

My middle took it today - also no prep. But I was not stressed - I think he does better as a big fish in a small pond and should wait until 8th for Alg 1 anyway. I guess we will see how he does.
Anonymous
Post 02/27/2024 21:51     Subject: Iowa test
I do believe it is important for schools to give the kids a sense of what to expect. Most kids haven't done a single timed test by 6th grade, so having to do 15 problems in 10 minutes comes as a huge shock to the system. They are used to being slow, methodical, double check your work, etc. none of which is going to work in this format. Most kids adapt, but that first block is where the kids seem to stumble. It was certainly true when DD took her test a couple of years ago. Many kids that didn't know (their school did no prep) did 5 or 6 questions in the first block.

Another thing they need to know is that there is no negative grading. So, if you're running out of time, go ahead and choose some answer for all the questions you can't get to, instead of leaving them blank. For that matter, if they genuinely don't know how to solve a problem, don't waste time on it, just guess and move on.

There is certainly test taking strategy they should be taught, but no one bothers.
Anonymous
Post 02/27/2024 17:27     Subject: Iowa test
It’s much more important to make sure your kid does not end up in over their head in this class vs ensuring they qualify. Given that we did not do at home prep but I think the school did a short exposure session with them
Anonymous
Post 02/27/2024 16:47     Subject: Iowa test
Yeah, there’s definitely inconsistency across the district. Our center did practice tests. They weren’t going over content for the test and the kids scored themselves, but it gave students a sense of what the test format would look like, timing etc. IMHO that’s appropriate for a test of this importance.
Anonymous
Post 02/27/2024 16:30     Subject: Iowa test
My kid's teacher specifically said they are not allowed to practice IAAT with kids. It's an AAP center. They didn't do any practice in school.

Agree that FCPS need to have consistent policies. Nothing is transparent in FCPS.
Anonymous
Post 02/27/2024 15:10     Subject: Re:Iowa test
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:We watched a Youtube channel last night that claimed to have questions from the IAAT on it. There were 4 videos, each one was 10 minutes long. DS was worried about the test today so we scrolled through the questions that they showed. Some seemed to be flat out easy but they got progressivly more difficult. DS felt comfortable with the harder questions in the later sections and seemed more comfortable with taking the test today.

I would guess that any kid who has been taking classes at RSM or AoPS will be fine because those programs cover mor ematerial and move at a faster pace then FCPS. I am guessing that most of DS friends are going to struggle.


I’m not sure why you assume your child’s friends will struggle. My kid takes no extracurricular math and consistently scored 58-59/60 on the practice exams, as did many friends without extracurricular math programs. Many Kids do just fine on this test with *only* FCPS curriculum.


Here is hoping they do better then I think they will. I know that they have not done practice exams at school and I know the parents of the kids I am thinking about so I know that they have not done practice exams at home.


Interesting. Our school did a few practice tests.


Ours did none, which is my math loving, math competition participating kid was worried last night and we looked up some info on the test. The Teachers told parents at the Open House that they wouldn't do any practice and that they discouraged parents from doing anything at home so that the kids who passed would pass on ability not prep. Our kid does math enrichment, he loves the competitions, so figured he would be fine and didn't stress over it at home.

If only FCPS had consistent practices and policies and actually enforced those practices and policies.