I am looking for practice tests for the HGC test. Someone gave me practice tests for the middle school magnets (I have kids who are in 2nd and 4th so both will be applying next year). Any idea of where to get prep tests? Or places where my child can take a prep class? I did a search online and haven't come up with anything useful.

Anonymous wrote:Did you child prepare?


That was the poster's question?


Save and spare us your prepared lecture.

No my child did not - except to go over the sample test booklet the night before. There might be children who did prepare and got in, and children who did not and got in. I am not sure where you are going with this. And as for your 'lecture' comment: You are the one who seems to have an axe to grind for some reason, not me.

Did you child prepare?


That was the poster's question?


Save and spare us your prepared lecture.

Anonymous wrote:

FWIW, I was told by a teacher at Eastern last year, while chatting during a field trip, that many students attend a prep course for the exam and that this has impacted admissions since it improved student test scores. I really have no idea how the teacher knew this, so I have no way of judging accuracy. Since my child is already attending, and I would never send my second child there, I didn't bother to ask what course/where.

I am surprised you didn't know many of the students study and prepare for the magnet test. I'm almost certain your child also prepared for the test. MCPS does outline the general content and subject matter on the test as a guide. Some kids simply study the subject matter (English, Math and Writing) at home. Others take courses in English, Math, and Writing. Some even take SSAT or SAT prep courses as they are preparing for several types of upcoming entrance exams. How did your child prepare? I bet all he did was play and create outside, get a good night's sleep and eat a hearty breakfast the morning of. And that was it!

You are very rude. Is there one person making snide comments about children prepping for the magnet tests and parents who "pretend" their children don't prep so that they can "brag" about this on an anonymous forum? If so, please cut it out. Your comments are obnoxious and out of line. The only person you are damning with your comments is the person you see in the mirror.

FWIW, I was told by a teacher at Eastern last year, while chatting during a field trip, that many students attend a prep course for the exam and that this has impacted admissions since it improved student test scores. I really have no idea how the teacher knew this, so I have no way of judging accuracy. Since my child is already attending, and I would never send my second child there, I didn't bother to ask what course/where.

I am surprised you didn't know many of the students study and prepare for the magnet test. I'm almost certain your child also prepared for the test. MCPS does outline the general content and subject matter on the test as a guide. Some kids simply study the subject matter (English, Math and Writing) at home. Others take courses in English, Math, and Writing. Some even take SSAT or SAT prep courses as they are preparing for several types of upcoming entrance exams. How did your child prepare? I bet all he did was play and create outside, get a good night's sleep and eat a hearty breakfast the morning of. And that was it!

FWIW, I was told by a teacher at Eastern last year, while chatting during a field trip, that many students attend a prep course for the exam and that this has impacted admissions since it improved student test scores. I really have no idea how the teacher knew this, so I have no way of judging accuracy. Since my child is already attending, and I would never send my second child there, I didn't bother to ask what course/where.

Sounds like the PP is grasping at straws now. I can't wait for the rejoinder. More popcorn please.

Anonymous wrote:I doubt the poster is silly enough to raise this question with a magnet coordinator? The answer is obvious. That burden is on you. The poster already indicated to you the kid marked a 4 on your scale to 10 and the kid is in the program despite not being thrilled about it.

Quit and preserve what remains of
any common sense.

Hey sock puppet. Just ask your magnet coordinator already before you make any more wrong assertions.

I doubt the poster is silly enough to raise this question with a magnet coordinator? The answer is obvious. That burden is on you. The poster already indicated to you the kid marked a 4 on your scale to 10 and the kid is in the program despite not being thrilled about it.

Quit and preserve what remains of
any common sense.

Anonymous wrote:

Words fail. If your kids inherited your powers of logic, they are not in magnets. (Hint: the rest of us are talking about a single question on the magnet test but here you are ranting about schools in general.)

...and this single question on the magnet test makes all the difference as to whether an outstanding student with outstanding performance and track record gets in?

Please do yourself and everyone else here a favor, and ask the magnet coordinator of your kids' school about this one question. You do claim your kids are in magnets, right? Well, stop acting like a lunatic on DCUM, and talk to your kids' magnet coordinator, who will give you confirmation that this one question is important.

From my seat in the house it sounds like the poster who preps for the one and only importantant question on the magnet exam that makes or breaks an outstanding candidate is winding down and has bent over.

You are FUN to wind up! A wall of gibberish. Three walls of gibberish.

Words fail. If your kids inherited your powers of logic, they are not in magnets. (Hint: the rest of us are talking about a single question on the magnet test but here you are ranting about schools in general.)

...and this single question on the magnet test makes all the difference as to whether an outstanding student with outstanding performance and track record gets in?

MCPS is not as stupid as you (though one wonders at times) they know many students change their minds by declaration date. Some kids apply to several different types of magnet programs as well as private schools with homeschool option. Sometimes the decision is made after repeat visits and open houses. MCPS does not reject a qualified student well over the bar on the basis of a # 2 pencil shade to one single question on a Scantron test. You are simply wrong and spinning big lies. Think a little... exercise a little common sense for once.

And by the way, if the student doesn't meet the cut, if you answered that holy single question you worship with the "best" response -- a 10. Kiddo you're out of here with a pink rejection slip.

If you are claiming that bubbling the answer sheet of the single question on a test regarding interest in a magnet program will get a very qualified student (tests way above the median in all areas with superb grades) a rejection letter you are as confused as a fly in a cess pool in summertime. What if the student left the answer to that one question blank or misinterpreted the question and marked the wrong end of the scale? The kid gets an F and is rejected outright. Your argument defies all logic.