Is Your 8th Grader Readi for ReadiStep?

Test Preparation
41

<p>I apologize for posting without reading the whole thread, but let me just say that one possible benefit to this program is that 8th graders would have available an exam that is more or less fair, or at least subject to the Fairness in Testing Act.</p>

<p>The SSAT, currently used for admissions to some private schools, is a terribly, terribly designed exam, and it would be a major step up in my opinion to have a real CollegeBoard product in that space. CollegeBoard is far from perfect, but at least it is subject to federal guidelines regarding transparency, etc.</p>

42

<p>Our schools already test kids every year. Iowa, Stanford-Binet, I don't even know the names of all of them, but there is one every year. Why can't we use the results of those tests? </p>

<p>My kids took the SATs in 7th or 8th grade only because they were identified as being in a certain percentile. They knew it was just for "fun" and that was fine. I would not have wanted them to take it if it were going to be a stressful, depressing ordeal. </p>

<p>Does anyone realize how many light-years separate high-scoring CC kids from the merely average (or lower) 8th grader?</p>

<p>Edit: I posted without remembering the proposed test would be an "easier" SAT. But still...</p>

43

<p>tokenadult, S2's middle school is having a parent book club on that very book next semester!</p>

44

<p>The concept isn't really a bad idea, but this already exists. The PLAN test is great for this. It doesn't have any weighting at all in college admissions, as it's not tied to any scholarship program like the PSAT. Its results also come back with a detailed assessment of the student's abilities. This is probably just CollegeBoard's attempt to compete with ACT's PLAN test. I actually thought it was fun to take the PLAN test, as it's cheap, and the questions are easy.</p>

45

<p>what's the point of this? why can't eight graders just take the sat in 8th grade? that's what i did, got a 2030.</p>

46

<p>^ I agree. And why is the test being offered in the fall? Why not the spring?</p>

47

<p>I think that's ridiculous it's putting to much stress on them sooner than they need be. I'm glad I'm not having to do that. I'm a good student but a horrible test taker! =/</p>

48

<p>"[…] a College Board spokeswoman, Sheila Jamison, said […] "</p>

<p>

Then their resources will be our resources. :D</p>

<p>[THE</a> NEW YORK TIMES: 8th Graders’ Exam Is Delayed](<a href=“http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/15/education/15college.html?ref=education]THE”>http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/15/education/15college.html?ref=education)</p>

49

<p>Apparently they had to give it away for free:</p>

<p>[Texas</a> offers free SAT and ACT tests to high school juniors - KXXV-TV News Channel 25 - Central Texas News and Weather for Waco, Temple, Killeen |](<a href=“http://www.kxxv.com/Global/story.asp?S=12234709]Texas”>http://www.kxxv.com/Global/story.asp?S=12234709)</p>

50

<p>This is stupid. Taking the SAT as an eighth grader for special admission purposes is one thing. Widely implementing the test is different. It will stress kids with academic parents.</p>

<p>Kids shouldn’t be worrying about standardized tests in 8th grade. Standardized tests, while important for college admissions, don’t deserve this much importance. I agree with Poseur. Mid/end of sophomore year is a good time to scope things out. The sophomore PSAT is adequate.</p>

<p>Schools should worry about encouraging interest in real academics. My middle school didn’t even have any science or math programs.</p>