<p>^^^BTW, what a misleading title. Gifted in terms of what? Parental ability to pay the hefty fee ? :D</p>
<p>bluebayou, here in NY school and Regents tests are still going on in June. I think one summer administration perhaps in fewer venues is a great idea. </p>
<p>I’m so glad my kids were able to go to a school where they could take 8-10 APs, at least one post AP math course, the full collection of sports and ECs and not stay up till 2 AM except on the few occasions where they procrastinated with a long paper.</p>
<p>^^yes, I realize that NY has school functions in June (as does California). But I would hope that it was clear that many other states do NOT. And it was those states which have an “unfair” advantage for testing.</p>
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<p>Besides costs, QM, what’s the difference? In your earlier posts you have made an the argument that students in the August “pilot” have an unfair advantage due to the fact they have no school at that time and can focus solely on test prep. But, now you clearly admit that thousands of students are able to take the June test without having any other schooling to compete with their study time. So why be concerned about 50? Is it only the cost?</p>
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<p>For me, the fact that the few and probably very privileged in many ways get to do this and the rest can’t is the most objectionable part. By this argument, anything that statistically insignificant is a non-issue and we should be apathetic about it no matter how unjust it is.</p>
<p>I get taht ttparent. But what about the “injustness” of the June test administration?</p>
<p>Offer more test dates so it is more fair for everyone!</p>
<p>It does not matter when one is taking test and self-prep using plan customized to your own needs is much more effective than any class…and it is free, yes! This is according to my D. (who took SAT prep. class and said that it was waste of her time, so she prepared for ACT on her own and did better on ACT than SAT), but it was years ago and she had no plans to apply to any Elite colleges. So, this is for those who want to go to other schools, I do not know much about Ivy / Elite UGs admissions.</p>
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<p>I don’t disagree. But that is a different topic than the one at hand, which is whether a private test for 50 wealthy kids is really unjust? If so, unjust to whom?</p>
<p>Unfair to whoever wants to take it in August and can’t. If you think June test date is unfair, how could you say August test date for a few 50 is ok?</p>
<p>Unjust to those who want to take it this August and don’t have $4500 to lay down.</p>
<p>If this truly does turn out to be a one-time event, then you are right, it is not that big of a deal. But if it becomes a regular profit center that benefits only a select few, it will really smell bad.</p>
<p>Then it is much much more unfair that some are going to private prep. HSs (just like my D.) and others go to schools that do not prepare them for colleges as well. But even this arguement is not that much true, simply because you will find kids who are not doing the work and are not as well prepared at prep. schools as some hard working students at publics.<br>
So, doing your best under ANY circumstances will always work, there is no exceptions, period, been there.</p>
<p>Without rehashing all the arguments I have listed in previous posts, here is another twist.</p>
<p>Have you considered that it might NOT be the best idea to take that test immediately after the intense coaching? Inasmuch as I am overwhelmingly in favor of having a summer testing date, I do not think that taking advantage of this “June” test is such a great ideam especially for colleges that require all the test scores. </p>
<p>Why? Contrary to the tests that are one mile long and one inch deep and require more regurgitating of memorized data than much reasoning (read AP and its poor cousin) the SAT is a test of mental quickness and reasoning. Those skills are better trained over an extended period and over periods of practice and resting. In so many words, taking this test after a period of intense cramming might not be the ideal, at least not the advantage some perceive this program offers to a few chosen elite. </p>
<p>I have read that this advantage would be that this August test date permits a student to approach the test without the pressures and time constraints of October. To that, I might say … is that REALLY the case? Are students really in full pressure mode in October? And, fwiw, are there no dates that are currently quite “peaceful?” Bluebayou has already mentioned June, but how about the January test date that could coincide with the start of a new semester on the heels of a restful vacation period. And to close this session, allow me to state that there are no better times to present the SAT than in October of the junior year, when one can (and should) concentrate on the almighty PSAT, as well as January of that same year. </p>
<p>In addition, let’s also consider the timing of the testing dates. Do you really think that the ideal dates for a well-heeled and gifted student would be during the senior year? The supposedly conflict with applications sounds like a quacking canard, as anyone with money and resources knows that it is best to wrap up all the testing BEFORE the end of the junior year, especially when looking at the most selective years. And applications should be wrapped up before the start of the senior year! </p>
<p>All in all, if there are advantages for high-priced tutoring, there are no great differences between this program and the … one offered by your "courageous: crusader in the Bay Area. Actually, based on the performance of group classes offered by the recently sold for a pittance Princeton Review, I would think that Mrs. Stone classes might be quite superior, and a summer class preparing for a September or October test a … better option.</p>
<p>In the end, I believe that the outcry is mostly based on the perceived high cost and elite nature of this program. Had it been offered to the low SES students Amherst and Marx targeted years ago, it would have flown under the radar. </p>
<p>Of course, had it been offered to URMs, there is little doubt that another constituency would have screamed bloody murder. Perhaps, not Mrs. Stone and her decidedly elite practice targeting the rich and famous Silicon Valley scions, but the crowd that gathers in the SSS (Sat Sweat Shops) usually anchored between a donut shop and a dry cleaner. </p>
<p>The conclusion is the same as usual. The preparation to college represents a huge source for worries and despair. While success is enjoyed, the fear of failure often takes the form of claiming injustice and discrimination. The poor and the minorities do. The huge middle class does. And even the rich and famous do, as more is supposedly expected from them. </p>
<p>Again, and I wrote in my first post in this thread, is THIS really such a scandal?</p>
<p>Sorry, bluebayou, I think that my earlier post must have been unclear. It is not the time dedicated to test prep without interferences that is at issue, for me. </p>
<p>It is simply the opportunity for students to take the test when they are well-rested. Around here, for the top students, that does not exist during the school year. </p>
<p>I think test prep is completely unnecessary for a lot of strong students.</p>
<p>The January test date comes shortly before semester final exams here. The students QMP knew were visibly tired already in October. I think the local school could double the number of NMSF’s if they eliminated homework and especially long projects for 5 days before the PSAT is given.</p>
<p>Well, I’ll repeat what I keep saying. </p>
<p>For me, it’s not about the high-priced SAT class. It’s about kids taking the test in August but CB saying they took it in June. If it’s a “pilot,” then flag it accordingly so that the conditions under which that score was achieved is known. Let colleges know when the test was taken, and they can take that information into account to the level that they think that’s important.</p>
<p>I wouldn’t have a problem with a “pilot” for URMs in August, as long as CB didn’t lie and pretend like the test was taken in June. Transparency and honesty is all that I’m seeking. As much as can be achieved where the SAT is concerned. ;)</p>
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<p>So you then disagree with the June test administration whereby thousands of students are “well rested” (since they are done with HS)?</p>
<p>“The January test date comes shortly before semester final exams here.”</p>
<p>That is NOT necessarily a negative. Think about it … the SAT is not a test that requires “studying for” but benefits for a longer term preparation. Success on the test also requires an alert mind. One could claim that the brain of student preparing for a set of finals is overloaded and shut (not ideal I might say for the exams) but someone else might say that the brain should be at its peak performance. </p>
<p>And, fwiw, the same discussion could take place about the summer session. Are the students well-rested or are they … exhausted after a long year of school with plenty of finals and AP in May? </p>
<p>Consider the discussions about the European Soccer cups (about to start in Poland.) Are the teams at their best, or are their players exhausted and battling injuries after incredibly taxing seasons? Fwiw, a few years ago, the Danish side was called up at the last minute to replace a team. The Danes who were on vacation, a tad overweight, and did not have an intense preparation, became the tournament’s sensation. :)</p>
<p>No, I think the actual June testing date is fine, even though I do agree that it is somewhat of an advantage to students in the South, or other areas where school ends early enough for students to catch up on their rest before it. It seems different to me in the sense that it is not a hidden opportunity offered by CB to a small number of students. </p>
<p>QMP is long past the SAT, and all of my nieces and nephews are now done, too. So I don’t have a personal “dog in the fight.” But for fairness, I would really like to see CB offer a mid-summer testing date to all.</p>
<p>The fact that some schools are out before the June test date and some are not (like many or most of those in CA), is all the more reason that there ought to be a July or August option. I still don’t understand the need for a ‘pilot’ on it, though.</p>
<p>I wonder if any of the students in the program will have already taken the June test in June. What will be their options with respect to the ‘pilot’ test?</p>
<p>If a guy falls asleep during a January final for an AP course, as one of QMP’s classmates did, I don’t think he’s at “peak performance.”</p>