I think FCPS should do a test/trial run with a prep workbook for the whole class before giving everyone the "real" test.

The problem is not that students prep for GREs. The problem is that a verbal score close to 800 which should indicate high proficiency in English ends up meaning nothing at all, because the prepping that takes place does not focus on improving one's language skills (thus raising one's scores the natural way) but focuses instead on how to beat the test. The result is that students who are accepted on the understanding that they are able to function in an English-speaking environment, end up not being able to write or communicate efficiently. So this ends up being a disservice to these kids, who are expected to write theses and dissertations and cannot really put two sentences together, plus to all the other competent ones who have real high scores and are faced with mistrust, because of all the instances of trumped-up test performance.

And so, to the nice person with the caustic humor who eloquently (and sarcastically) suggested that "we should send them back", I say, is it too much to wish that a process (any selection process) not be violated by a shortmindedness that does not serve anyone and least of all the people who on the surface appear to benefit from it?

Anonymous wrote:I can tell you that colleges have gone through the same problems with inflated GRE scores from China...

Yeah! Because no good ol' American preps for the GRE!

Damn friggin ethnic groups -- messing with our scores!

We should send them all back.

This is really disturbing. How can any regular (i.e. non-prepped) kid compete with the ones who are prepped through organized courses? What is wrong with people who choose to have their kids at this early age spend months to be prepped for first- and second-grade tests?

And before anyone posts that you cannot prep for these tests, I can tell you that colleges have gone through the same problems with inflated GRE scores from China. Apparently, they figured out a way to beat the verbal part of the test (!!!), getting sky-high scores, only to come to this country and have problems articulating simple sentences...

Anonymous wrote:From what I can tell, it is common among indians and koreans

this.
There are actually a couple well known prep schools in the area for these ethnic groups.

From what I can tell, it is common among indians and koreans

Anonymous wrote:Someone keeps posting that prepping is the norm among certain groups-- who is this
Poster referring to?

I am merely guessing, but the referenced poster is likely alluding to certain ethnic groups and certain geographic locations.

Someone keeps posting that prepping is the norm among certain groups-- who is this
Poster referring to?

Prepping is the norm among certain groups.

But, how can you prep for an "abilities" test? I mean, if your kid can be trained to get high scores in tests of intelligence, doesn't that mean that s/he has the skills anyway? This is really what I do not get.

Plus, I haven't seen any prep classes for such tests (I don't think that Kumon does NNAT prep), unless by prepping we mean downloading sample questions over the Internet...

that is probably not true. i doubt lots of people are prepping their 1st graders. for the cogat and 2nd grade probably more possible.

I heard that it was because of lots of kids prepping.

Where did you hear that?

I heard that NNAT scores were high this year. Can anyone corroborate (or dispute) that?