Anonymous wrote:What HS program requires a PSAT score?!? Not because I do not believe you but because I do not know of any and would like to.

I cannot imagine any SAT test prep class with 8th graders, so you're going to need a 1 on 1 tutor. Just call one of the companies and ask them when you should start.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How are you treating the anxiety?
I don't know when your ds is taking the PSAT so I can't say when he should start studying. My 9th grader took the PSAT in the fall - the whole 9th grade took it - and the school said not to study.

When he was taking the ISEE a few years ago we started him with prepping for it maybe 2-3 months ahead of time.

My ds just started prozac and I think it is helping the anxiety.

What is the ISEE? Is it similar?
This is the first answer that points me toward a direction, rather than just criticizing the question. 2-3 months sounds about right, I think. That was the question, how far in advance of the test. It's taken in the 8th grade for those interested in this high school program.

We've tried a couple of medications, but it's not a generalized anxiety, which makes it more difficult to find the right one, I think. It's more of a performance anxiety. He's fine on a day-to-day basis. So it's hard to find something that you need once every couple of months, if that. Plus, would he get sleepy or have some other side effect from the medication during the test? It seems risky, when what he really needs is practice taking the test, so he can be thinking, oh, yeah, I recognize this type of question, or, even if I don't know this one, I might know the next one, etc. And test taking techniques, like how to pace yourself through it. It took him forever for me to convince him that if he doesn't know the answer on a test, just skip it and come back. He was convinced you were supposed to answer the questions in order, so he would sit and spend forever trying to figure out one answer, wasting all his time, instead of moving on to easier ones.

To answer pp, I think he'd be fine in the program as opposed to the test because during the test he's got all this negative self-talk (I'm going to fail, I can't do this, I suck, I'm stupid, etc) that is paralyzing, but it's not something that comes up for regular homework and tests in school. We are working on it, but I don't want everything to rest on his being to apply his techniques successfully on the day of the test.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think you need to get a professional assessment of your son instead of talking to strangers online about strategies and medications. You have 4.5 years until he goes to college. Of less import is this program, of greater import is an emotionally healthy and capable young man when he is out on his own.

Seriously? The question i am asking is when is a good time to start studying for a PSAT given in 8th grade.

Everything else has been in response to the negativity that I want my kid to go through a study guide. He is being counseled for the anxiety. The therapist has told us (and we've learned over time) that the best thing for him is familiarity with the thing that causes anxiety. So, I'd like him to go through a couple of practice tests, get some tips, etc. The only reason I keep responding is because I'm still looking for advice. I didn't take this test until high school and I don't have anxiety.

It's hard not to feel frustrated when the question is so simple but I have to defend my asking it over and over without anyone giving an opinion.

You said he couldn’t handle trying out for a sports team after being treated for anxiety. You asked when and people are telling you it’s not a good idea. If you insist then perhaps ask a test prep service, but more experienced parents are giving you valuable advice. Heed it or don’t, but don’t complain that you don’t like the answers.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How are you treating the anxiety?
I don't know when your ds is taking the PSAT so I can't say when he should start studying. My 9th grader took the PSAT in the fall - the whole 9th grade took it - and the school said not to study.

When he was taking the ISEE a few years ago we started him with prepping for it maybe 2-3 months ahead of time.

My ds just started prozac and I think it is helping the anxiety.

What is the ISEE? Is it similar?
This is the first answer that points me toward a direction, rather than just criticizing the question. 2-3 months sounds about right, I think. That was the question, how far in advance of the test. It's taken in the 8th grade for those interested in this high school program.

We've tried a couple of medications, but it's not a generalized anxiety, which makes it more difficult to find the right one, I think. It's more of a performance anxiety. He's fine on a day-to-day basis. So it's hard to find something that you need once every couple of months, if that. Plus, would he get sleepy or have some other side effect from the medication during the test? It seems risky, when what he really needs is practice taking the test, so he can be thinking, oh, yeah, I recognize this type of question, or, even if I don't know this one, I might know the next one, etc. And test taking techniques, like how to pace yourself through it. It took him forever for me to convince him that if he doesn't know the answer on a test, just skip it and come back. He was convinced you were supposed to answer the questions in order, so he would sit and spend forever trying to figure out one answer, wasting all his time, instead of moving on to easier ones.

To answer pp, I think he'd be fine in the program as opposed to the test because during the test he's got all this negative self-talk (I'm going to fail, I can't do this, I suck, I'm stupid, etc) that is paralyzing, but it's not something that comes up for regular homework and tests in school. We are working on it, but I don't want everything to rest on his being to apply his techniques successfully on the day of the test.