In the past they have allowed kids to be admitted to multiple programs. But now the applications are being read by the central office. This is the first year. We don’t know if they will limit which programs students are admitted to.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The most interesting thing I learned from my child was that as part of the test they had to rank the programs they applied to. She had only applied to one. But I wonder if they will be using that information to spread out the offers to more students.

I think that they had to list their top 3 choices.

And probably won’t get into anything past number 3.

I wouldn't assume that. I know for a fact that kids in the upcounty have been admitted to all 4 of the programs they were eligible for (the 3 in Poolesville + RMIB). Obviously they can only go to 1, which leaves 3 spots open for admitting kids off the wait list. The ranking would be useful for that (for example, if there's a spot open in SMACS and a spot open in humanities, you would want to offer the SMACS spot to a kid who put SMACS as #1 and the humanities spot to a kid who put humanities as #1, not vice versa).

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The most interesting thing I learned from my child was that as part of the test they had to rank the programs they applied to. She had only applied to one. But I wonder if they will be using that information to spread out the offers to more students.

I think that they had to list their top 3 choices.

And probably won’t get into anything past number 3.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Or kids thought it was easy but missed the point.

Or they were comparing with their mock test offered by Dr. Li, A . plus etc, otherwise how would they know "easier" ?

Selection should be more focus on applicants broader data rather than a snapshot of this testing. At 8th grade, they have enough data such as grades of middle school courses (some high courses), map/parcc tests etc

There was certainly some of that, according to my kid (who did not do Dr. Li/A+/AoE etc.).

Anonymous wrote:The most interesting thing I learned from my child was that as part of the test they had to rank the programs they applied to. She had only applied to one. But I wonder if they will be using that information to spread out the offers to more students.

I think that they had to list their top 3 choices.

The most interesting thing I learned from my child was that as part of the test they had to rank the programs they applied to. She had only applied to one. But I wonder if they will be using that information to spread out the offers to more students.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Or kids thought it was easy but missed the point.

Or they were comparing with their mock test offered by Dr. Li, A . plus etc, otherwise how would they know "easier" ?

Selection should be more focus on applicants broader data rather than a snapshot of this testing. At 8th grade, they have enough data such as grades of middle school courses (some high courses), map/parcc tests etc

My child was unprepped. There were things that she thought were challenging and other things she guessed (and I know her guess was wrong). We’re relying on grades and recommendations to see if she makes the cut.

How do you know that her guess was wrong? Did she tell you the question and her answer?

She did. For two items. One was something I realize I could have taught her myself had I known it was not covered. The other she should have known.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Or kids thought it was easy but missed the point.

Or they were comparing with their mock test offered by Dr. Li, A . plus etc, otherwise how would they know "easier" ?

Selection should be more focus on applicants broader data rather than a snapshot of this testing. At 8th grade, they have enough data such as grades of middle school courses (some high courses), map/parcc tests etc

My child was unprepped. There were things that she thought were challenging and other things she guessed (and I know her guess was wrong). We’re relying on grades and recommendations to see if she makes the cut.

How do you know that her guess was wrong? Did she tell you the question and her answer?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Or kids thought it was easy but missed the point.

Or they were comparing with their mock test offered by Dr. Li, A . plus etc, otherwise how would they know "easier" ?

Selection should be more focus on applicants broader data rather than a snapshot of this testing. At 8th grade, they have enough data such as grades of middle school courses (some high courses), map/parcc tests etc

You're onto something here.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Or kids thought it was easy but missed the point.

Or they were comparing with their mock test offered by Dr. Li, A . plus etc, otherwise how would they know "easier" ?

Selection should be more focus on applicants broader data rather than a snapshot of this testing. At 8th grade, they have enough data such as grades of middle school courses (some high courses), map/parcc tests etc

My child was unprepped. There were things that she thought were challenging and other things she guessed (and I know her guess was wrong). We’re relying on grades and recommendations to see if she makes the cut.

Anonymous wrote:Or kids thought it was easy but missed the point.

Or they were comparing with their mock test offered by Dr. Li, A . plus etc, otherwise how would they know "easier" ?

Selection should be more focus on applicants broader data rather than a snapshot of this testing. At 8th grade, they have enough data such as grades of middle school courses (some high courses), map/parcc tests etc

Or kids thought it was easy but missed the point.

Anonymous wrote:a lot 8th graders who took the test said "easier than they had expected"

easy test makes everyone happy but also it makes the selection process less focus on the test result ?

It's very likely. easier test makes it much harder to differentiate. It gives the selection committee more room to pick and choose.

a lot 8th graders who took the test said "easier than they had expected"

easy test makes everyone happy but also it makes the selection process less focus on the test result ?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Mine said not as hard as he was afraid it would be, whatever that means.

What does this and that mean?

What do you not understand?

I don’t think that the 13 year olds are going to tell us much. And I don’t think it matters. MCPS has been transparent about the test that is being used. Not sure what else we need to know.