We don't really care in this context because that is not what this discussion is about. Here, again, is a description of the thread topic:

Anonymous wrote:Thanks. Delicious.

What's the "real" or "true" difference between an aptitude (AAP) and ability test?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Actually, at least one has a misunderstanding about this, or simply pretends to misunderstand. No one suggests that anything is wrong with hard work and preparation.
People are suggesting that it is inappropriate for people to "prep" kids by using materials that attempt to recreate the AAP identification tests. Prepping kids in this way makes the scores unreliable to the point that some schools are simply not using them anymore. These particular tests are not meant to be prepped for and prepping results in scores that are not useful to the schools.

These threads are only about prepping for the AAP identification tests. They are not about prepping for any other type of testing, nor are they about effective ways to teach math.

More nuaunced malarky. Now we have to have the identification committees throughout the land adjudicate the legality or ethics of preparation on the basis of an identification test. Will this be at the federal level or shall will let each state do their own thing?

What rubbish.

No rubbish, and no malarky. If you read the the OP for most of these threads, they involve the AAP identification testing. Not even terribly nuanced, just fact.

Right, and here's what FCPS says about this:

Here's a link to a FCPS document that includes an explanation of why the test was changed last year:

http://www.fcps.edu/is/aap/pdfs/FAQre2012CustomizedCogAT.pdf

See fourth paragraph, first sentence:

"FCPS staff members chose to administer the custom form of the CogAT this year after it came to our attention that some students, in previous years, had prepared for the CogAT using the exact form of the CogAT being administered in FCPS."

Anonymous wrote:

Different test. SAT prep is reasonable. It is an ability test.

+1

May kids never prep for an aptitude test but we use tutors for the ability tests. These are 2 different birds. Doesn't anybody understand this. Prepping is like stealing the test and cheating. My kids do no homework and have straight As without any prep. There get plenty of fresh air for breaks with the tutor.

Different test. SAT prep is reasonable. It is an ability test.

well this may come as a shock to you, as it did to me when I found out about it, but apparently it is not uncommon.

Anonymous wrote:

My child has not used SAT prep yet. One of her friends is starting to prep. DD and her friends are in the 6th grade, though. Note that the friend is in an enthic group associated with test prep.

And of course you and your child would not use SAT prep services ...... yet. I guess it depends on what yet is?

My child has not used SAT prep yet. One of her friends is starting to prep. DD and her friends are in the 6th grade, though. Note that the friend is in an enthic group associated with test prep.

Anonymous wrote:

the TJ prep courses are full. DC went for short period but complained about not being able to understand the instructors' accents.

I'm sorry English is a second language for DC.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

I have never hired a tutor for my child. There are tutors in FCPS, but I think it is a minority of people that do that.

Is this true for SAT and ACT prep services for your children in preparation for College. You forgot to answer my question -- you artful dodger cuty pie.

And I am not equating prep for the SAT, which is largely vocabulary for college-bound HS students to a general test given to 7 year olds that is to measure intelligence. SAT is supposed to measure the likelyhood of success in college. CogAT measures the inate ability of a 7 yo. Different things, different strategies.

But then, I must be privaliged, as I am multigenerational american. And worse, I am Jewish. So I do not have to work, nor does my kid. Things are handed to me.

the TJ prep courses are full. DC went for short period but complained about not being able to understand the instructors' accents.