Any Teachers I Have A Question Please!!

[disneygirlatheart]

Hello, this goes out to teachers. My dd is in the seventh grade and she was chosen to take the ACT or SAT test in Dec, because of her outstanding Tcap scores. Given her age, which would be better for her right now? We can only choose one. We have to send in the invitation to get her registered next week. Thanks in advance.

 

[gmboy95]

Unless it has some advanced placement attached to it...I see no advantage in it whatsoever. Clearly your child is bright, and they will remain that way, The pressure of testing is unnecessary, again, unless their is some placement or scholarship incentive.

For now just use the old "what do you eyes and ears" tell you about where your child is academically.

But for giggles I would choose the SAT

 

[richmond282]

I always thought the SAT was a little easier to take... but it's been years since I've taken either. They may have changed a lot

 

[FSUDisneyGirl]

I got a "higher" score on the ACT, and I remember participating in something like this in middle school. Are they offering scholarships or something with this...what is the reason for her taking the test? If it's out of your way, I don't really see a big reason for her to take it...but if she wants to, why not? Some test taking practice might make her confident later on...

 

[Feralpeg]

The ACT has a little more of a lean toward math skills than the SAT. Actually, I think it is great that your DD is getting to take the test early. Taking tests is a skill. Many people struggle with these tests. My DD has always been a straight A student. She always clenched on the standardized tests. She really didn't do that great on either the SAT or ACT yet she has been on the Dean's List every semester since she started college over two years ago. The more time your DD gets to take the test, the more comfortable she will be with the procedure and, hopefully, will do better for the experience.

 

[JnathanP]

Actually. I own a college counseling and test prep company in PA.
The ACT is the way to go with younger students because there is no penalty for guessing unlike the SAT.

John

 

[meliss8599]

I know this is looking way into her future but I know East coast colleges/universities look at SAT scores whereas here in the midwest the focus is more on ACT scores. Depending on where your daughter would like to go to college, taking the test that that particular region prefers may help her prepare for her future when she takes it for real in high school.

 

[Christine]

My son did this last year. He also scored in the highest percentiles for math on his standardized tests. He took the SAT. His words: "OMG, it was really hard and I never want to do that again!"

Today, we just got another notice in the mail. This year he scored in the 99th percentile on his verbal and is again invited to apply for the Joseph Baldwin Academy and to take the PSAT, SAT, or ACT.

I think I may sign him up for the ACT just to have him tell me which he likes better.

There really is no "advantage" to doing all this unless you want to take advantage of some of the academic courses that are offered to these kids (some which sound very interesting). But, I don't think it's ever a bad thing to get familiar with these tests.

 

[clh2]

My DD had this opportunity in 7th and 8th grades. In 7th she took the ACt, and in 8th she took the SAT. A little experience with both tests.

While she didn't do bad - compared to HS juniors/seniors, my DD clearly has some strengths (math/science) and some weaknesses. And by weakness - I mean she was rated as average in comparing scores too the older kids.

We picked the ACT first, because in the midwest - that is a more prominent test. We picked the SAT too - as this one has a writing component.

DD definitely has a realistic idea of what the tests are like, which I think is important as they start to get ready to take them "for real".

 

[disneygirlatheart]

Thanks for all the info. Yes, I believe it will be a good experience for her. There are incentives, if she scores high enough. She will get to go to colleges on certain weeks through the year and take classes for what she is interested in, and in the summer they have overseas studies. I am not too keen on the summer part. Yes, I am paranoid, but I feel she is a little to young for all that, she needs to still be a kid while she can. They grow up too fast. I think we have decided on the ACT. She read what both tests consists of and feels like she would like to try the ACT.

 

[PrincessPAC]

I've found that most of our students perform better on the ACT. Also, I know this is a bit early for you OP, but some parents of older kids who might not be aware ~ when your child is in the 11th grade, encourage them to take the PSAT (it's given next month). As Juniors, this test is also their chance to possibly qualify for the national merit scholarship. (They can take it earlier, but it only counts towards the NMSQT when taken in the 11th grade.)

Just a suggestion.

 

[allison443]

The ACT has a little more of a lean toward math skills than the SAT. Actually, I think it is great that your DD is getting to take the test early. Taking tests is a skill. Many people struggle with these tests. My DD has always been a straight A student. She always clenched on the standardized tests. She really didn't do that great on either the SAT or ACT yet she has been on the Dean's List every semester since she started college over two years ago. The more time your DD gets to take the test, the more comfortable she will be with the procedure and, hopefully, will do better for the experience.

I agree-familiarity can't hurt. My girls took the SAT in 7th and 8th grade and it was just a very casual thing-they didn't prep or anything. Don't be surprised if your kid's scores are above the "average" SAT scores for high school students. If they are, that can be a nice boost for your child.
I also recall that the scores for tests taken before high school do not go on your child's later record when they take the tests in high school.
Good luck to your child!