2008 PSAT scores

Parents Forum
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<p>My D registered for SAT as a 6th (or was it 7th) grader to possibly take part in CTY. She saw the sample SAT booklet and decided the reading passages were just too dry for her taste. The CTY summer courses also seemed quite unrelated to her interests at the time. Besides, she wanted to go shopping at the mall with her friend! We passed by the SAT test center as I drove the girls to the mall. I don't remember what they bought but the girls had a blast. She never regretted her decision. She has always had lots of interesting things to do in the summer that she has enjoyed and learned from. </p>

<p>Last year she chose to take the SAT as a sophomore for the first time, with minimal prep. She enjoyed the test and did well enough that she could decide she is done with it for good. </p>

<p>Another kid who she was friends with did take the SAT in middle school and seemed to really enjoy the CTY summer programs every year. Different strokes for different folks.</p>

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<p>RationalDad, why is having a 7th grader take the SAT "craziness" or "ridiculous"? My son took it in 7th grade and as a result of his scores, got to take cryptology and philosophy and cognitive psychology and math modeling and a number of other courses he wouldn't have been able to take otherwise, all through CTY. </p>

<p>For my not-very-social kid, CTY is the best thing that's happened to him! He lives for the six weeks in the summer when he can attend the summer programs. The programs have opened him up socially -- he's with kids who are like him: smart! He's learned there are other kids who like to learn, other kids who learn quickly and easily, as he does!</p>

<p>He's also learned how to deal with various roommates, live in a dorm, find activities he likes outside of class, dance (with abandon and joy, if not grace) with a girl and in a group, budget his spending money over time, find his way around a college campus, and how to scheme for scarce laundry facilities so he always has clean clothes.</p>

<p>If a kid is topping out grade-level standardized tests, scoring in the 99th %ile, why shouldn't he take a test that has a higher top? </p>

<p>He took the SAT again in 8th grade -- he was competing with himself; he wanted to improve his math score (and did, by 90 points!) -- and he's taking it again today, as a high school sophomore. His choice. </p>

<p>CTY's the best thing that ever happened to him, and taking the SAT is what was necessary for him to have his CTY summer experiences. He grabbed the brass ring, and his whole world opened up fantastically because he did. It would have been "ridiculous" and "craziness" NOT to let him try, NOT to let him reach. </p>

<p>I'm glad he tried, glad he reached -- and so is he.</p>

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<p>Owlice - good for your S! What you said is so true. For some kids, CTY is a lifeline, and I think it's great that they can take advantage of those opportunities. My D also took the SAT in 7th grade and qualified for CTY. She chose not to do any of their programs, but we looked through the catalogs and flyers that came home, and if one of them had been of interest to her, we would have tried to send her. </p>

<p>Good luck to him today, and to the rest of the test takers - my D included!</p>

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<p>did anyone get their scores via email yet?</p>

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<p>my son took the act through Duke's TIP in 7th grade and did very well (State Recognition for his scores). He did not participate in any cty programs etc but it was the catalyst that started him on the road he is on now. He always got a's but never opened a book. He had no study habits because he never had to study. his act score in grade 7 was already significantly higher than the average score of his hs seniors. We realized that he wasnt being challenged at all. He was happy and involved in activities, not acting out etc but when the opportunity came up to attend a math & science school we had to seriously consider it. It was a difficult decision as the school is 6 1/2 hours away but has been the very best thing for him!!. He loves it and by the end of grade 10 had already taken higher courses than our local hs could have offered him. He had to learn time management and how to study...what had been A level work here earned him his first F. All his courses now are honors or AP (not offered locally) . We are very glad he took the act in 7th because without it, i honestly think he would have just strolled through hs with his A's, and crashed and burned 1st year college . (btw he is back to A's LOL)</p>

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<p>That's great, parent56.</p>

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<p>RationalDad, just Google above level testing.</p>

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<p>My DS also took the SAT in 7th grade so he could participate in CTY. I found out about CTY from a school board member, who's twin sons attended and really enjoyed it (ended up co-vals, scholarships to Emory and now both in grad school at Stanford.)</p>

<p>My S really enjoyed the enrichment classes (electrical engineering, and especially probability and game theory) and also the fast paced HS physics class. He attended CTY with his best friend down the street. I can echo the comments above regarding the benefits of the social aspects of CTY and rubbing shoulders with lots of bright kids, including a cadre of international ones, which is not usual for the average HS. </p>

<p>CTY was a plus plus, and the entry requirement was taking the SAT. Small price.</p>

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<p>Hear, hear owlice (and others). CTY was one of the best things that ever happened to D. The classes were interesting, but it was the social aspect that changed her life. Finding like-minded kids at 'nerd camp' was such a joy for her, and she still (as a college junior) has close friends from her four summers of CTY.</p>

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<p>since we have kind of veered of the topic of PSAT scores, I just want to call attention to the fact that today is Dec. SAT day and many people have not received PSAT scores. The sophomore and younger parents should keep this in mind, if they expect to be able to use PSAT results before a Dec SAT test. A Jan test may be a better option in this case. </p>

<p>I also found an old note that last year the PSAT results were distributed in our school on Dec 6 right before the SAT date. They haven't been distributed this year yet, so don't count on past year performances by your school, many things can change, we have new staff in the college office this year which may be the reason for our delay.</p>

<p>My D was eligible for a CTY like program based on some state scores in elem school, but opted against it. I agree from my own experience that doing some program with similar kids is a great experience if you don't get that in your normal environment.</p>

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<p>LIMOMOF2, good luck to your D today!!</p>

<p>jackief, yeah, we're waiting for PSAT scores, too! We've started thinking about early college for S, and if that's going to be the case, either last year's or this year's PSAT will be his score for entry into the NM program, depending on whether he goes off next year or the year after.</p>

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<p>jackief - the truth is, I think that if you're hoping to use the Dec. SAT, then you have to feel at least somewhat confident of your kid doing well. I signed D up for the Dec. SAT based on a pratice SAT that she took over the summer. She did well, and I thought that if she ended up with those scores on her real test, then we might be able to consider her finished (with the SAT). If I had seen her PSAT first, I would have had mixed feelings as her CR went down a bit from the summer SAT - but she said that she finds the SAT to be an easier test, and I'm hoping that's true. I guess we'll find out soon enough. I think I was trying to make the point that the extra week or so of prep that your child might be able to fit in after finding out his/her PSAT score probably won't make a huge difference. So, you're right in saying that it's probably better to wait until January to take the test unless you just want your kid to get in some practice, or you think they have a shot at doing well.</p>

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<p>"RationalDad,"
Just in case there hasn't been enough "piling on" yet, (;)) my S#1 also took the SAT's in 7th grade to qualify for CTY summer programs. He strolled into the test center without a care in the world, passing by the high school juniors who were still sitting in their cars pre-test, smoking cigarettes and being anxious. I'm sure my kid was totally relaxed because he knew that he'd probably do better than most of them anyway. His 7th grade SAT scores allowed him to take incredible science and humanities courses, taught on a college level, which he never would have been exposed to in "regular" school. In three weeks at CTY, they cover a year's worth of material. He LOVED it, as it was the only time he was ever able to learn at his pace, FAST. More importantly, as others have pointed out, the social aspects of CTY changed his life forever.</p>

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<p>good arguments LIMOM. In fact I have seen some argue that taking the SAT in Oct is a good choice, as the same prep can count for both. I was just trying to say that if you are counting on PSAT results to help prep for SAT, then don't count on getting them for the Dec test. As many strategies as there are kids.. :)</p>

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<p>Why do people feel the need to brag about their kids for bragging's sake on CC? Maybe because they couldn't do it face to face with their friends and neighbors?</p>

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<p>Question for experienced CTYers--my son did baby CTY last year and loved it. Looking at CTY again for next summer (he has already requalified), but finding that one of the CAA location and course selection combinations might work out better for us (logistically). My question is how do you all think a CTY-eligible kid would manage in a CAA program? Would it be challenging enough? Are the other kids "serious" enough? This is another kid who really had not found his social niche until going to a CTY program.Thanks!</p>

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<p>Sure. Whatever.</p>

<p>You people strike me as odd. Maybe you're not but you come off that way on here babbling on about your 12 and 13 yr olds taking the SAT. </p>

<p>Apparently, everyone who posts here has a child prodigy for a kid. I see the name "Vicariousparent" in this thread. Very appropriate for most of you. At least that person is honest about it. </p>

<p>I'd be embarrassed to be posting here some of the stuff some of y'all are saying. But as someone said, different strokes. Weird.</p>

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<p>In case there was some confusion about this RationalDad, please let me clarify.</p>

<p>We're not holding you hostage and you're free to choose other threads at any time.</p>

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<p>how did people get their scores already?
CB says most PSAT scores are available around mid-December.
I signed up to get my score by email on CB but i didn't get mine yet
my counselor told me that the school will be distributing the score report in 7 jan 09 </p>

<p>T.T</p>

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<p>Squelchy, the scores have already been sent to the high schools. Some choose not to distribute until the new year, but that's a choice not a requirement. Many schools have already done so.</p>