Anonymous
07/02/2018 06:31
Subject: Re:Best way to prep for the IAAT?
OP- here is an honest answer.
My DS loves month. What he did to was to learn pre- Algebra during 5th grade. He did this by using Kumon books purchased through Amazon. So by the summer before 6th grade, he started learning Algebra (Kumon workbook plus Khan academy.)
Two days before the test I got a IAAT review book. He did one practice test with 60 problems, he completed it in under 15 minutes and 100%.
I told him not to do any more (I just got it so he would be comfortable with the test format); score 99 percentile
I generally think it’s better to actually know the material than to simple “prep” for a test. Also, if my DS didn’t love math (and wasn’t naturally excellent at it), I wouldn’t consider 7th grade Algebra
My DS loves month. What he did to was to learn pre- Algebra during 5th grade. He did this by using Kumon books purchased through Amazon. So by the summer before 6th grade, he started learning Algebra (Kumon workbook plus Khan academy.)
Two days before the test I got a IAAT review book. He did one practice test with 60 problems, he completed it in under 15 minutes and 100%.
I told him not to do any more (I just got it so he would be comfortable with the test format); score 99 percentile
I generally think it’s better to actually know the material than to simple “prep” for a test. Also, if my DS didn’t love math (and wasn’t naturally excellent at it), I wouldn’t consider 7th grade Algebra
Anonymous
07/01/2018 16:40
Subject: Re:Best way to prep for the IAAT?
Anonymous wrote:I can't stop smiling as I read this thread. OP apparently is a newcomer and made mistake by starting a controversial topic : "prep or no prep for tests".
OP: I hope you learn the lesson here. If you need information, you might want to research somewhere else, and then come in here, search and read through past discussions. I have been in this forum in the last 7 years (two kids, one is in AAP) and I never asked any questions here. Life is too short to spend time debating with strangers. Just quietly read and read, you will have information you need.
Translation: I don’t like people disagragreeing with my choices and don’t want to hear about it- so I don’t post on here. People who do are soliciting the opinions of others. Um, yes- just yes.
Anonymous
07/01/2018 16:13
Subject: Re:Best way to prep for the IAAT?
I can't stop smiling as I read this thread. OP apparently is a newcomer and made mistake by starting a controversial topic : "prep or no prep for tests".
OP: I hope you learn the lesson here. If you need information, you might want to research somewhere else, and then come in here, search and read through past discussions. I have been in this forum in the last 7 years (two kids, one is in AAP) and I never asked any questions here. Life is too short to spend time debating with strangers. Just quietly read and read, you will have information you need.
OP: I hope you learn the lesson here. If you need information, you might want to research somewhere else, and then come in here, search and read through past discussions. I have been in this forum in the last 7 years (two kids, one is in AAP) and I never asked any questions here. Life is too short to spend time debating with strangers. Just quietly read and read, you will have information you need.
Anonymous
07/01/2018 15:47
Subject: Best way to prep for the IAAT?
Serious question...not trying to flame...if you know your child isn't gunning for TJ, why are you concerned about IAAT and wanting your child to qualify for Alg Hons in 7th grade?
I've been to several different curriculum nights at different MSs...and at every one the Math Dept head says to the crowd "don't put your kid in alg hons unless they are totally passionate about math and plan to pursue a Math or heavy stem career...and even then, we hear from the HS math dept that some kids who took alg hons in 7th are missing understanding when they get to alg 2 hons..."
Point being that you might want to think about what your goal is with qualifying for alg hons in 7th. It will put your kid on a math "fast track" of AP calculus BC in 11th grade and then probably matrix alg and multivar calc in 12th. I know it serms ridiculous to be planning or steering your child's life 6 yrs down the road, but that's what happens when you put them on the express train known as Alg Hons 7th grade.
Think about it. Fwiw, IAAT is easy for kids who are not geniuses, but generally "get" math as taught in aap.
I've been to several different curriculum nights at different MSs...and at every one the Math Dept head says to the crowd "don't put your kid in alg hons unless they are totally passionate about math and plan to pursue a Math or heavy stem career...and even then, we hear from the HS math dept that some kids who took alg hons in 7th are missing understanding when they get to alg 2 hons..."
Point being that you might want to think about what your goal is with qualifying for alg hons in 7th. It will put your kid on a math "fast track" of AP calculus BC in 11th grade and then probably matrix alg and multivar calc in 12th. I know it serms ridiculous to be planning or steering your child's life 6 yrs down the road, but that's what happens when you put them on the express train known as Alg Hons 7th grade.
Think about it. Fwiw, IAAT is easy for kids who are not geniuses, but generally "get" math as taught in aap.
Anonymous
07/01/2018 12:17
Subject: Best way to prep for the IAAT?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:I'm glad I gave everyone the opportunity to pontificate and moralize about what I should be doing. You should thank me for giving you such great satisfaction!
You asked for information. Answers were given. You didn’t like them. Serious question - are you always right?
Most of the answers were not to the question I asked. Most of the answers informed me that I was wrong for even asking the question, which is not helpful.
Serious answer: it is perfectly right to ask for information. It is not right at all to tell me that I should not ask for information.
Where are "most" of the answers informing you were wrong for even asking the question? You don't even understand the responses. No one is saying you're wrong for asking the question. We're saying you're wrong for prepping your kid and when people tell you that you become indignant. It's as if you posted in a new baby forum and asked how to put your baby on a diet. When everyone responds to not do it, you'd think it is ridiculous because you didn't ask if you should do it.
This school district https://www.edinaschools.org/cms/lib07/MN01909547/Centricity/Domain/115/gr6mathfaqs4.pdf says, "How can I help my student prepare for the IAAT? As noted in a previous question the IAAT is an aptitude or ability test rather than an achievement test. As such a student would gain little by “studying” a pre-transition mathematics or algebra text or by engaging in other “test prep” type activities. As with any test it is appropriate to be sure your student is well-rested and has had a healthy breakfast before the test. Many students bring water to drink during the testing. Time is provided between test sections for students who do wish to do so. It is also appropriate to talk with your student to inform him/her that some of the test items will be easy and some will be very hard; that no one is expected to correctly answer all items."
This school district says the same: http://ipsdweb.ipsd.org/newsfiles/news_87475_1.pdf
FWIW, my kid got an advanced pass on the sol and a high score on the iaat and we've declined Algebra for next year. It isn't that my kid would have problems with it - but I don't see the point in pushing, pushing, pushing. Hard to imagine, isn't it?
Anonymous
07/01/2018 11:34
Subject: Best way to prep for the IAAT?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:I'm glad I gave everyone the opportunity to pontificate and moralize about what I should be doing. You should thank me for giving you such great satisfaction!
Look. You need to get a grip. You sound hysterical. About a screener. That is months away. On the second week of summer.
It's really not very complicated. I was recently talking to a mom who has older kids, and she mentioned the IAAT. I didn't know what it was. That's why I asked. I asked now because I just found out about it now. If there's no need to take action now, great. But I wouldn't want to find out in December "oh you should have started prepping in September like everyone else". I prefer to have the proper information "too soon" rather than "too late" so I can make appropriate decisions. Don't you?
I live in the land of TJ crazy. Put two kids through AAP and a big TJ feeder. Have one at TJ now. And forget the fact a kid who can’t pass an aptitude test at a 91%, nationally normed, will never survive Math 4/5 at TJ. That kid is going to flounder in Algebra I honors in 7th in a strong middle school. Math teachers and parents who have BTDT aren’t telling you not to prep because there is some conspiracy to keep your kid out of Algebra. They are telling you because they have seen what happens again and again and again. Everyone thinks their kid is the special exception. They are not. And BTW—getting into TJ is not enough. They end up losing about 40-50 kids per class who can’t hack it or who or so miserable they leave. You do not want to send a kid there who can’t succeed. It will crush them and you.
I am not going to send DS to TJ. I already know that's not who he is. That's no reason, however, not to find out everything I can about the IAAT and how best to prepare for it.
Point is, you can’t change who your kid is. You can help them be the best version of themselves. But trying to fake aptitude doesn’t work.
I agree with you. But I also know that one test, on one day, does not necessarily measure aptitude. And also, it does no harm, even if you have the aptitude, to prepare for the test as best you can, such as by taking some practice tests. And it is my responsibility, as the parent, to find out everything I need to know about this test and how to prepare for it.
I am saying this because there was a suicide at TJ this year in the freshman class. And several suicidal kids dropped out. Mental health is a huge problem. You need to take a beat. Because you sound crazy. And that hurts your kid. You do not want your kid to be the suicidal kid on TJ Vents talking about how much he hates his parents for ruining his childhood.
You are reading way too much into a simple request for information. Can you even remember when you were putting your oldest kid through the school and you had no idea what any of the tests were? Did you appreciate people telling you to stop being crazy and hysterical when you asked what those tests were and how to prepare for them?
Anonymous
07/01/2018 11:34
Subject: Re:Best way to prep for the IAAT?
I want to know what's out there, and I'm asking because I don't know. If classes or specialized tutors exist, I want to be aware of them so I can investigate further. This is not an unreasonable request.
So far, it seems that no one who has read this post knows whether specialized tutors or classes exist. This is because most people don't have their kids prep for this particular test - it's not a knock on you personally. I barely knew what the test was when my kid took it and he passed the benchmark despite having good but not great math abilities.
If your kid is already anxious about it (or gets anxious about tests in general), I can understand the desire to have him see the format so he knows what to expect. The suggested practice book should probably cover that. Since it's given in January, perhaps you can ask his 6th grade math teacher about prep options at the beginning of the school year. He/she will probably tell you not to worry about prep. Another option would be other parents in his frend group - if IAAT prep is normal among his peers or in your particular school, someone should be able to help you.
Finally, try searching this forum. I'm pretty sure your question pops up every once in awhile. You might find something on an old thread.
Anonymous
07/01/2018 11:18
Subject: Best way to prep for the IAAT?
Anonymous wrote:If you are struggling to get in to algebra in the seventh grade — and needing to prep for the iiat suggests going to TJ, even if you qualify, will be a disaster. I have seen it.
There is no "struggle" yet since DS has not even taken the test.
We have no intention of sending him to TJ. I already know that's not a good fit for him.
I don't know why so many people get such great heartburn from a simple, reasonable question about how to prepare for a test.
Anonymous
07/01/2018 11:14
Subject: Best way to prep for the IAAT?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:I'm glad I gave everyone the opportunity to pontificate and moralize about what I should be doing. You should thank me for giving you such great satisfaction!
You asked for information. Answers were given. You didn’t like them. Serious question - are you always right?
Most of the answers were not to the question I asked. Most of the answers informed me that I was wrong for even asking the question, which is not helpful.
Serious answer: it is perfectly right to ask for information. It is not right at all to tell me that I should not ask for information.
Anonymous
07/01/2018 11:12
Subject: Re:Best way to prep for the IAAT?
Anonymous wrote:OP, you got your answer - buy an IAAT book on Amazon and make your kid do all the tests if you think that's what's best for him. Do you really need something else? A class? A specialized tutor? It's not clear what you're looking for.
I want to know what's out there, and I'm asking because I don't know. If classes or specialized tutors exist, I want to be aware of them so I can investigate further. This is not an unreasonable request.
Anonymous
07/01/2018 10:48
Subject: Re:Best way to prep for the IAAT?
We are talking to a brick wall. She has goals in mind:
aap (check)
iaat (working on it)
advanced pass on math sol (see above)
algebra in 7th (see above)
aap (check)
iaat (working on it)
advanced pass on math sol (see above)
algebra in 7th (see above)
Anonymous
07/01/2018 08:03
Subject: Best way to prep for the IAAT?
If you are struggling to get in to algebra in the seventh grade — and needing to prep for the iiat suggests going to TJ, even if you qualify, will be a disaster. I have seen it.
Anonymous
07/01/2018 08:00
Subject: Best way to prep for the IAAT?
Anonymous wrote:I'm glad I gave everyone the opportunity to pontificate and moralize about what I should be doing. You should thank me for giving you such great satisfaction!
You asked for information. Answers were given. You didn’t like them. Serious question - are you always right?
Anonymous
07/01/2018 07:46
Subject: Re:Best way to prep for the IAAT?
OP, you got your answer - buy an IAAT book on Amazon and make your kid do all the tests if you think that's what's best for him. Do you really need something else? A class? A specialized tutor? It's not clear what you're looking for.
My non-brilliant, non-STEM oriented 6th grader scored in the 99th percentile on the IAAT and a 590+ his SOL. (he decided not to take Algebra 1 in 7th). He wasn't even in AAP - they put him in the AAP class because so few kids qualified at level IV in his Title I school.
I doubt that any prep would be required for a kid with the aptitude for TJ.
My non-brilliant, non-STEM oriented 6th grader scored in the 99th percentile on the IAAT and a 590+ his SOL. (he decided not to take Algebra 1 in 7th). He wasn't even in AAP - they put him in the AAP class because so few kids qualified at level IV in his Title I school.
I doubt that any prep would be required for a kid with the aptitude for TJ.
Anonymous
07/01/2018 05:32
Subject: Best way to prep for the IAAT?
Thank you, PP. Your candor is refreshing.