Hi All - My kid’s on the advanced track but is NOT a math wiz. My question is how do these schools determine what the appropriate math level is for students entering 9th if they have done algebra in 8th? Are they tested?
Thanks
Every BS I know does a math placement test. Some do other tests as well such as language, science, etc.
3 Likes
Do prep schools like Loomis, Deerfield, Exeter Do Math Placement Tests in 9th grade?
Yes. And foreign language as well unless starting a new language. 8th grade coursework may not matter as many will repeat 8th grade courses based on exam results.
2 Likes
Is there any way to prep for these math placement exams? I know they are supposed to assess the students level but you don’t want your student to bomb the either.
I assume it would be useful to prep a bit, particularly when switching between algebras/geometry etc.
Don’t worry too much about a "wrong " placement. Most schools accommodate switching classes through the first semester because they know, in spite of getting info on your math curriculum and administering a placement test, that a number of students are going to feel their placement was wrong.
I know ours placed kids in the highest class they thought might be right because it’s easier to drop down than try to catch up A third of my kid’s class had decided it wasn’t a fit by Thanksgiving.
Remember that most BS are not affiliated with a lower school so have to place every student “independently”, so they have experience.
5 Likes
And be prepared for unexpected results on the language placement tests. Our kids’ K-8 was a magnet public school in a top school district in the state. Most kids went into the HS Spanish 3 honors class at the local HS (which is also highly ranked nationally). Both of our kids would have placed the same locally, but tested into the accelerate Spanish 1 class at BS…and the placement was appropriate. Language courses at BS can be far more demanding and advanced than the so-called “equivalent” course at your local HS.
4 Likes
Agree with language placement. My kid placed into French I. The test was a combo of writing, listening, reading and speaking. Weakness in any single area would move you down a level. My kid thought portions of the test were things they hadn’t gotten to at the last school but were easily learned.
Kid took French II honors placement and was on the fence score-wise. They had some unevenness in the last program. Decided to take French II honors and has done very well.
You might have to decide if you/your kid has small gaps or large ones.
Being in an “advanced” class doesn’t even guarantee you’ll have a solid foundation compared to other students. Make sure you/your kid doesn’t let their ego push for an inappropriate class. They will not slow down the class. And I thinking starting from behind means a lot more work. Both my kids worked hard to catch up and do well. Two different languages and two different levels as first years.
3 Likes
The spread between the most advanced incoming math students and the lowest must be huge. Like a spread of 4 (or more) years.
How do they typically administer those tests?
For example, if you’ve already taken geometry in 8th and anticipate going into Algebra 2 as a freshman, do they give you a geometry test, and also an Algebra 1 test?
Or does everyone get the same test and they cover everything from Algebra 1 through calculus and just see where the gaps are? That doesn’t sound very efficient?
Obvs, it might differ between schools, but I’m sure there are similarities.
Also, paper, multiple choice, online?
Yup. You have freshmen in Algebra I and AP Calc BC.
Depends on the school. Some are for the most recent class. Others are one big test through calc.
Not sure about now, but they were paper exams in my day.
Tests are online and done during the summer. For the most part kids are appropriately placed but when not, as in my son’s case, they get moved into a different class when the school realizes it made a mistake.
If you want to stress about “preparing” go ahead but the number one thing both my kids learned in BS was to prioritize and not stress about things like this. Kids get so much work they cannot possibly prep the way they have been used to in middle school. I recommend learning this lesson early and not trying to wow anyone with a placement test.
1 Like
My kid is in Algebra 1 right now. She’s not wowing anyone at BS with her placement test.
The best thing for her would be to be placed in the correct math class for her.
Actually, the best thing for her would be to actually get into BS in the first place. Less than a week to go now.
3 Likes
They are still on paper for our school (or at least were very recently)…at least part of them. Printed out, hand-written, scanned and sent back as a PDF. I think that is because the BS courses are so focused on seeing a kid’s thoughts on paper in their own writing…seeing how they think and articulate language or math in writing. It may sound silly, but math in BS is treated somewhat like a language, because it focuses on process, communication and ensuring that kids have a firm grasp of the components of a well-solved problem.
My own view is that at a rigorous school most things are super demanding (sports, ECs etc as well as classes) so it’s ok if a class or 2 is on the easier side. I wanted my kids to do the opposite of prepping for the test!
8 Likes
Yeah, I agree. My son wanted the challenge in math and happily took an easier language class that was definitely not challenging for him. It was the right trade off. Without one or two classes that are easier I don’t think my kids would have survived at BS.
Agreed. I did not prep at all and opted to start a new language at level 1 instead of continuing the language I was placed at. Although, truth be told, that was also the school’s strong suggestion.
1 Like
I honestly don’t know if tests were online or paper. I’d guess paper pre-Covid and online during. I do know that youngest had to be asked additional math questions by the chair. The school has a rule/maybe based on experience that if Freshmen/first years are going to take an AP that they are well prepared.
I also know that they looked at the previous classes taken. Kid had never taken trig due to change of schools and skipping Alg I in 7th grade. S/he learned it online via Khan. They asked a lot of trig questions.
Our math placement tests were paper - the school wanted to see the student’s work to assist in knowing how they came to an answer, whether incorrect ones were computational in nature, etc.
Totally agree about language placement. Our son had taken spanish k-9, including a 6 week exchange in Madrid with homestay, and was placed in spanish 1 when he entered BS in grade 10. We pushed back and asked him to be placed in spanish 2, and to be honest, it was a struggle for him. BS foreign language classes are very rigorous and hit the ground running in levels 2 and beyond. There is no catch up/review period.
2 Likes
I think this is related enough to the topic that I can ask, but is it better to prepare or not for these if they want to know your level?
Don’t try to overprepare. I would suggest just a quick refresh, if needed.
3 Likes