Anonymous
Post 08/21/2025 10:59     Subject: NGAT prep centers?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:OH. MY. GOD.
If you need to find a test center, your child doesn't belong in AAP.


This is a misunderstanding of AAP. AAP is for academically advanced students, not gifted students. That includes children who are prepared to work hard to do advanced work and are capable of it. Hard work and conscientiousness pretty much always trumps "gifted ability" so I don't know why the idea of preparing for a test (which usually involves just reviewing a couple of nnat / cogat books with your child and not some type of intense coaching sessions, generates such an intense reaction here.


Sorry, but hard work and conscientiousness without underlying talent will never trump the person with “gifted ability.” You might tell your kid that, but it is simply not true.

Lots of kids could have worked right along side Micheal Phelps, maybe even worked harder than Phelps, but they would never be able to surpass him. Why? Because they did not have the “gifted ability” he had. Hard work is great, but it doesn’t make up for high levels of talent.


Hard work will absolutely trump any natural talent. For a talent of a generation like LeBron or Messi, they still need to work hard to fully develop. There is nothing wrong with hard work and it is definitely not cheating.
Anonymous
Post 08/21/2025 01:18     Subject: NGAT prep centers?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:OH. MY. GOD.
If you need to find a test center, your child doesn't belong in AAP.


This is a misunderstanding of AAP. AAP is for academically advanced students, not gifted students. That includes children who are prepared to work hard to do advanced work and are capable of it. Hard work and conscientiousness pretty much always trumps "gifted ability" so I don't know why the idea of preparing for a test (which usually involves just reviewing a couple of nnat / cogat books with your child and not some type of intense coaching sessions, generates such an intense reaction here.


Sorry, but hard work and conscientiousness without underlying talent will never trump the person with “gifted ability.” You might tell your kid that, but it is simply not true.

Lots of kids could have worked right along side Micheal Phelps, maybe even worked harder than Phelps, but they would never be able to surpass him. Why? Because they did not have the “gifted ability” he had. Hard work is great, but it doesn’t make up for high levels of talent.


This is such flawed logic. They don't need to "trump" anyone-- just perform to the best of their ability and to the expectations of the AAP class.
The kids who were willing to work super hard alongside Michael Phelps but never surpass him still experienced a myriad of benefits from the experience of pushing themselves, working hard, practicing, cultivating mental strength, resilience, etc. etc. -- these undoubtedly would serve them well during their lives even if they were not destined for the Olympics. Bizarrely, I actually know someone who DID train alongside Michael Phelps. He swam in college but not beyond that (competitively) but he went to an Ivy League undergrad and grad, and is very successful (both personally and professionally).
It's about the journey, not the destination. If you don't understand this, there's not much more I can say.


Sure, sure, hard work is a good thing, and well worth it if you’re playing the long game. But don’t kid yourself- and especially, don’t kid your children- that it is somehow “better” than having innate talent. It’s great, but it is not the same as having extreme talent.


No one is saying that. The reality is that very few people have “extreme talent”, and for the rest of us, hard work will get us quite far. Also, extreme talent combined with poor work ethic / fixed mindset will get a person nowhere.


Hard work will never make up for lack of talent. The talented person will outdo the “hard working” person most of the time. I’ve seen it in my life and I’ve seen it among my kids and their friends. Hard work is great- no one is against it, and you can achieve a lot with hard work. But it never will be the same as having talent. And kids can become very depressed when they realize the truth.
Anonymous
Post 08/20/2025 12:25     Subject: Re:NGAT prep centers?
Very much disagree. My child is a smart kid but I wouldn’t qualify him as gifted. He’s worked very hard. Got into AAP in 4th grade. He DOES study and there are several kids he knows who aced the SOLs and scored 99 on the IAAT and did terrible at Algebra in 7th grade because they weren’t used to the hard work. My son got straight A’s. His standardized test scores were decent but his hard work has made him do way better than the supposed gifted kids. Brains PLUS hard work goes far. Not just being “gifted”.
Anonymous
Post 08/19/2025 20:46     Subject: NGAT prep centers?
Don't do it. Seriously the kids who can't handle the math in the end are in the same math classes with Gen Ed kids in middle school onward. Some of those kids would have been better off learning the fundamental math more slowly...
If you have to tutor to get in you might put yourself in a position where you have to tutor to stay in. Let your kid have a balanced childhood.
Anonymous
Post 08/19/2025 18:34     Subject: NGAT prep centers?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:OH. MY. GOD.
If you need to find a test center, your child doesn't belong in AAP.


This is a misunderstanding of AAP. AAP is for academically advanced students, not gifted students. That includes children who are prepared to work hard to do advanced work and are capable of it. Hard work and conscientiousness pretty much always trumps "gifted ability" so I don't know why the idea of preparing for a test (which usually involves just reviewing a couple of nnat / cogat books with your child and not some type of intense coaching sessions, generates such an intense reaction here.


Sorry, but hard work and conscientiousness without underlying talent will never trump the person with “gifted ability.” You might tell your kid that, but it is simply not true.

Lots of kids could have worked right along side Micheal Phelps, maybe even worked harder than Phelps, but they would never be able to surpass him. Why? Because they did not have the “gifted ability” he had. Hard work is great, but it doesn’t make up for high levels of talent.


This is such flawed logic. They don't need to "trump" anyone-- just perform to the best of their ability and to the expectations of the AAP class.
The kids who were willing to work super hard alongside Michael Phelps but never surpass him still experienced a myriad of benefits from the experience of pushing themselves, working hard, practicing, cultivating mental strength, resilience, etc. etc. -- these undoubtedly would serve them well during their lives even if they were not destined for the Olympics. Bizarrely, I actually know someone who DID train alongside Michael Phelps. He swam in college but not beyond that (competitively) but he went to an Ivy League undergrad and grad, and is very successful (both personally and professionally).
It's about the journey, not the destination. If you don't understand this, there's not much more I can say.


Sure, sure, hard work is a good thing, and well worth it if you’re playing the long game. But don’t kid yourself- and especially, don’t kid your children- that it is somehow “better” than having innate talent. It’s great, but it is not the same as having extreme talent.


No one is saying that. The reality is that very few people have “extreme talent”, and for the rest of us, hard work will get us quite far. Also, extreme talent combined with poor work ethic / fixed mindset will get a person nowhere.


I agree with the PP. Of course, having a "gift," a strong work ethic, and good morals are best of all. How many celebs are gifted with talent or looks and then crack up somewhere along the way because they don't have the ability to avoid drugs or the trappings of wealth do them in?
Anonymous
Post 08/19/2025 17:01     Subject: NGAT prep centers?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:OH. MY. GOD.
If you need to find a test center, your child doesn't belong in AAP.


This is a misunderstanding of AAP. AAP is for academically advanced students, not gifted students. That includes children who are prepared to work hard to do advanced work and are capable of it. Hard work and conscientiousness pretty much always trumps "gifted ability" so I don't know why the idea of preparing for a test (which usually involves just reviewing a couple of nnat / cogat books with your child and not some type of intense coaching sessions, generates such an intense reaction here.


Sorry, but hard work and conscientiousness without underlying talent will never trump the person with “gifted ability.” You might tell your kid that, but it is simply not true.

Lots of kids could have worked right along side Micheal Phelps, maybe even worked harder than Phelps, but they would never be able to surpass him. Why? Because they did not have the “gifted ability” he had. Hard work is great, but it doesn’t make up for high levels of talent.


This is such flawed logic. They don't need to "trump" anyone-- just perform to the best of their ability and to the expectations of the AAP class.
The kids who were willing to work super hard alongside Michael Phelps but never surpass him still experienced a myriad of benefits from the experience of pushing themselves, working hard, practicing, cultivating mental strength, resilience, etc. etc. -- these undoubtedly would serve them well during their lives even if they were not destined for the Olympics. Bizarrely, I actually know someone who DID train alongside Michael Phelps. He swam in college but not beyond that (competitively) but he went to an Ivy League undergrad and grad, and is very successful (both personally and professionally).
It's about the journey, not the destination. If you don't understand this, there's not much more I can say.


Sure, sure, hard work is a good thing, and well worth it if you’re playing the long game. But don’t kid yourself- and especially, don’t kid your children- that it is somehow “better” than having innate talent. It’s great, but it is not the same as having extreme talent.


No one is saying that. The reality is that very few people have “extreme talent”, and for the rest of us, hard work will get us quite far. Also, extreme talent combined with poor work ethic / fixed mindset will get a person nowhere.
Anonymous
Post 08/19/2025 01:40     Subject: NGAT prep centers?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:OH. MY. GOD.
If you need to find a test center, your child doesn't belong in AAP.


This is a misunderstanding of AAP. AAP is for academically advanced students, not gifted students. That includes children who are prepared to work hard to do advanced work and are capable of it. Hard work and conscientiousness pretty much always trumps "gifted ability" so I don't know why the idea of preparing for a test (which usually involves just reviewing a couple of nnat / cogat books with your child and not some type of intense coaching sessions, generates such an intense reaction here.


Sorry, but hard work and conscientiousness without underlying talent will never trump the person with “gifted ability.” You might tell your kid that, but it is simply not true.

Lots of kids could have worked right along side Micheal Phelps, maybe even worked harder than Phelps, but they would never be able to surpass him. Why? Because they did not have the “gifted ability” he had. Hard work is great, but it doesn’t make up for high levels of talent.


This is such flawed logic. They don't need to "trump" anyone-- just perform to the best of their ability and to the expectations of the AAP class.
The kids who were willing to work super hard alongside Michael Phelps but never surpass him still experienced a myriad of benefits from the experience of pushing themselves, working hard, practicing, cultivating mental strength, resilience, etc. etc. -- these undoubtedly would serve them well during their lives even if they were not destined for the Olympics. Bizarrely, I actually know someone who DID train alongside Michael Phelps. He swam in college but not beyond that (competitively) but he went to an Ivy League undergrad and grad, and is very successful (both personally and professionally).
It's about the journey, not the destination. If you don't understand this, there's not much more I can say.


Sure, sure, hard work is a good thing, and well worth it if you’re playing the long game. But don’t kid yourself- and especially, don’t kid your children- that it is somehow “better” than having innate talent. It’s great, but it is not the same as having extreme talent.
Anonymous
Post 08/18/2025 15:50     Subject: NGAT prep centers?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:OH. MY. GOD.
If you need to find a test center, your child doesn't belong in AAP.


This is a misunderstanding of AAP. AAP is for academically advanced students, not gifted students. That includes children who are prepared to work hard to do advanced work and are capable of it. Hard work and conscientiousness pretty much always trumps "gifted ability" so I don't know why the idea of preparing for a test (which usually involves just reviewing a couple of nnat / cogat books with your child and not some type of intense coaching sessions, generates such an intense reaction here.


This post is specifically asking for NGAT prep centers — they aren’t looking to just “review a couple nnat/ COGAT books.”
Anonymous
Post 08/18/2025 14:42     Subject: NGAT prep centers?
You should not prep them for this test.
Anonymous
Post 08/18/2025 14:14     Subject: NGAT prep centers?
I am looking for the same… and also wondering, will they no longer count the NNaT for grade 1? My child did great in that so I hope it’s still counted!
Anonymous
Post 08/18/2025 13:44     Subject: NGAT prep centers?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:OH. MY. GOD.
If you need to find a test center, your child doesn't belong in AAP.


This is a misunderstanding of AAP. AAP is for academically advanced students, not gifted students. That includes children who are prepared to work hard to do advanced work and are capable of it. Hard work and conscientiousness pretty much always trumps "gifted ability" so I don't know why the idea of preparing for a test (which usually involves just reviewing a couple of nnat / cogat books with your child and not some type of intense coaching sessions, generates such an intense reaction here.


Sorry, but hard work and conscientiousness without underlying talent will never trump the person with “gifted ability.” You might tell your kid that, but it is simply not true.

Lots of kids could have worked right along side Micheal Phelps, maybe even worked harder than Phelps, but they would never be able to surpass him. Why? Because they did not have the “gifted ability” he had. Hard work is great, but it doesn’t make up for high levels of talent.


This is such flawed logic. They don't need to "trump" anyone-- just perform to the best of their ability and to the expectations of the AAP class.
The kids who were willing to work super hard alongside Michael Phelps but never surpass him still experienced a myriad of benefits from the experience of pushing themselves, working hard, practicing, cultivating mental strength, resilience, etc. etc. -- these undoubtedly would serve them well during their lives even if they were not destined for the Olympics. Bizarrely, I actually know someone who DID train alongside Michael Phelps. He swam in college but not beyond that (competitively) but he went to an Ivy League undergrad and grad, and is very successful (both personally and professionally).
It's about the journey, not the destination. If you don't understand this, there's not much more I can say.
Anonymous
Post 08/18/2025 13:28     Subject: NGAT prep centers?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:OH. MY. GOD.
If you need to find a test center, your child doesn't belong in AAP.


This is a misunderstanding of AAP. AAP is for academically advanced students, not gifted students. That includes children who are prepared to work hard to do advanced work and are capable of it. Hard work and conscientiousness pretty much always trumps "gifted ability" so I don't know why the idea of preparing for a test (which usually involves just reviewing a couple of nnat / cogat books with your child and not some type of intense coaching sessions, generates such an intense reaction here.


Because at the end of the day, there are kids in Gen Ed who could have successfully done the work, and there are kids in aap who are struggling with the work. An even playing field would be better...


Those kids in Gen Ed who could have done the work should absolutely keep trying for AAP! If they could have done the work but have no interest in being in AAP, that's fine too-- they can choose to stay in Gen Ed!


In my dc's case dc didn't tell us he wanted it until after the deadline in 5th grade. There was nothing we could do at that point but suggest honors moving forward...
Anonymous
Post 08/18/2025 13:25     Subject: NGAT prep centers?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:OH. MY. GOD.
If you need to find a test center, your child doesn't belong in AAP.


This is a misunderstanding of AAP. AAP is for academically advanced students, not gifted students. That includes children who are prepared to work hard to do advanced work and are capable of it. Hard work and conscientiousness pretty much always trumps "gifted ability" so I don't know why the idea of preparing for a test (which usually involves just reviewing a couple of nnat / cogat books with your child and not some type of intense coaching sessions, generates such an intense reaction here.


Sorry, but hard work and conscientiousness without underlying talent will never trump the person with “gifted ability.” You might tell your kid that, but it is simply not true.

Lots of kids could have worked right along side Micheal Phelps, maybe even worked harder than Phelps, but they would never be able to surpass him. Why? Because they did not have the “gifted ability” he had. Hard work is great, but it doesn’t make up for high levels of talent.


Ha, wonder what Lochte thinks of all the time and effort he put in to be always second best to phelps!
Anonymous
Post 08/18/2025 13:10     Subject: NGAT prep centers?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:OH. MY. GOD.
If you need to find a test center, your child doesn't belong in AAP.


This is a misunderstanding of AAP. AAP is for academically advanced students, not gifted students. That includes children who are prepared to work hard to do advanced work and are capable of it. Hard work and conscientiousness pretty much always trumps "gifted ability" so I don't know why the idea of preparing for a test (which usually involves just reviewing a couple of nnat / cogat books with your child and not some type of intense coaching sessions, generates such an intense reaction here.


Sorry, but hard work and conscientiousness without underlying talent will never trump the person with “gifted ability.” You might tell your kid that, but it is simply not true.

Lots of kids could have worked right along side Micheal Phelps, maybe even worked harder than Phelps, but they would never be able to surpass him. Why? Because they did not have the “gifted ability” he had. Hard work is great, but it doesn’t make up for high levels of talent.
Anonymous
Post 08/18/2025 13:10     Subject: NGAT prep centers?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:OH. MY. GOD.
If you need to find a test center, your child doesn't belong in AAP.


This is a misunderstanding of AAP. AAP is for academically advanced students, not gifted students. That includes children who are prepared to work hard to do advanced work and are capable of it. Hard work and conscientiousness pretty much always trumps "gifted ability" so I don't know why the idea of preparing for a test (which usually involves just reviewing a couple of nnat / cogat books with your child and not some type of intense coaching sessions, generates such an intense reaction here.


Because at the end of the day, there are kids in Gen Ed who could have successfully done the work, and there are kids in aap who are struggling with the work. An even playing field would be better...


Those kids in Gen Ed who could have done the work should absolutely keep trying for AAP! If they could have done the work but have no interest in being in AAP, that's fine too-- they can choose to stay in Gen Ed!