SAT-10 test - Worried because DS did poorly- Any advice?

[disneyfanforever]

Hi everyone. I just got my 13 year old DS's SAT-10 scores for this year, and it was quite upsetting. He was low or middle range on everything with scores between 30 and 60 on the subjects. I just don't understand. He is a good student with A's and B's on everything. He hasn't ever even made a C. I will admit school is probably not his top priority as he sometimes has the tendency to view school a place to hang with friends rather than learn.

Will this afffect his future in any way? Will he be able to get into AP classes? What about college? Does this mean he will probably do horrible on the ACT or SAT? I am just worrying myself into a frenzy. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

So is this your state mandated testing scores?

 

[jazzielady]

Sorry, I'm not sure what the SAT-10 is? Is it the SAT that kids can take in middle school?

 

[disneyfanforever]

Yes, it is the standardized test he took in 7th grade

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Yes, it is the standardized test he took in 7th grade

How has he done on standarized testing before? What is his Lexile score?

What scores did he bomb? If they are reading/comprension scores then I might look more closely at his work and talk with his teachers next yr to see if there is an issue.

Just keep tabs on him next yr and see how he is doing. Maybe he had a bad testing day?

 

[wdwiala]

I'm don't have experience with SAT-10's. I do know that some kids just don't test well this way. Most schools have several ways in which they determine who qualifies for acceleration programs (AP). If you think that your son should be in one, talk to the teachers and get their viewpoint. Perhaps there is another way they can determine if the classes are for him.

 

[disneyfanforever]

The only standardized test scores I remember getting for him was in early elementary school and I remember they weren't very good at all. I guess I wasn't that concerned at the time since he was so young.

His Lexile measure is 995L. What does that mean?

 

[taylor3297]

After teaching middle school for 20 years, I have found that it is not uncommon for a A/B student not do well on standardized testing. Also, not uncommon for C/D student to do wonderful on standardized testing. Since you child is in middle school, once they reach high school he will start with a clean slate.

As to getting into AP classes, most systems look at overall grades and teacher recommendations, due to it all isn't about a standardized test but whether the student can handle the workload of an AP class.

 

[Magic Mom]

I think it's the Stanford 10, a norm reference test like Tera Nova or ITBS. Standardized testing.

It may be an anomaly. Maybe he had a bad testing day. I don't know how it will affect AP placement, but I don't think it will make a difference. Our ITBS scores don't come in until the following school year well after the students are placed n classes.

I don't think it means he will bomb on the ACT or SAT either. You have plenty of time to help him prep for those tests. There are loads of resources out there to help them make the most of those tasts, AND he can take them more than once.

Relax. It was one standardized test. It isn't a complete picture of his academic progress. Contact his counselors and let them know you are concerned.

 

[Katie's Butterflies]

Hi everyone. I just got my 13 year old DS's SAT-10 scores for this year, and it was quite upsetting. He was low or middle range on everything with scores between 30 and 60 on the subjects. I just don't understand. He is a good student with A's and B's on everything. He hasn't ever even made a C. I will admit school is probably not his top priority as he sometimes has the tendency to view school a place to hang with friends rather than learn.

Will this afffect his future in any way? Will he be able to get into AP classes? What about college? Does this mean he will probably do horrible on the ACT or SAT? I am just worrying myself into a frenzy. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

I think the part I bolded explains the test results. There are many kids who don’t care about the tests and end up filling in whatever bubble to finish more quickly, or to make a pattern etc. Some kids rush through without thinking about the problem. To many kids, these standardized tests are just ungraded exams they have to do, so they don’t try very hard.

As to his future, these tests probably won't go further than middle school. As another poster said, your son will get a clean slate in high school.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

The only standardized test scores I remember getting for him was in early elementary school and I remember they weren't very good at all. I guess I wasn't that concerned at the time since he was so young.

His Lexile measure is 995L. What does that mean?

His Lexile determines reading comprehension, so if that was not in an appropriate range I would be worried. He is OK.
http://www.lexile.com/about-lexile/grade-equivalent/grade-equivalent-chart/

 

[eliza61]

I don't have any experience with the SAT-10 test but I do have an "A/B" student who does miserably on standardized test. Don't know why, we've enrolled him in all kinds of SAT classes, prep work etc etc even thought about sending him to a psychologist for testing anxiety.
The kid is fine, he's gotten accepted to every school he applied to (disclaimer: he did not apply to any IVY league schools) as more and more of the colleges are weighing a kids entire academic life, not only test scores.

 

[disneyfanforever]

Thanks everyone. I feel better about the whole thing. Hopefully, he will still be able to get into the AP classes as his grades are good and he is well liked by his teachers.

I also hope with a lot of test prep he will be able to do well on his SAT and ACT to get into college (and a scholarship would be really really nice).

It looks like his Lexile score is fine if I am reading the link correctly so that is good.

I really appreciate everyone advice and help. Thanks!

 

[j's m]

I wouldn't worry about a standardized test if his grades are good.

It could be he didn't care about the test.

My DS15 admitted he didn't really care when he took the PSAT this year in 10th. He said since it didn't count for a grade and didn't count this year for merit scholarships, what was the point? He's a straight A student, never got a B yet.

 

[padams]

SAT 10 is the Stanford Achievement Test 10. You should talk with the school about his scores. The school/teacher will be able to give you perspective on the scores as well as inform you as to how the school uses the scores. If the scores affect what classes he will be placed in for next year, you need to know.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

SAT 10 is the Stanford Achievement Test 10. You should talk with the school about his scores. The school/teacher will be able to give you perspective on the scores as well as inform you as to how the school uses the scores. If the scores affect what classes he will be placed in for next year, you need to know.

Agree, totally. Talk to the school counselor, she may be able to give you the info. (I say may because dd's counselor did not know everything that she threw at her.)

My dd is the same age and I know we are going in armed for her to get into a weighted English class. This is to offset the weighted math that the gifted kids are going to be taking. They offer it, so stupid to not do it considering that is my dd's talented area. She has the scores, awards, and teacher's that will back her up.

OP, as much as I hate to say it, it is a numbers game.

However, with low scores that your son has he may not be able to compete with the higher scoring kids for a spot.

The high school will set the bar for AP admission. Have you checked your HS's rules? Every school is different, so we cannot give you that answer.

Anyway, if he cannot do AP it is not the end of the world. It probably will not get him anything if he cannot nail the AP exam. Although normally AP are weighted classes and help with ranking among seniors, provided he gets an A or B.

Stop stressing. I know how freaked you must be to see a low score. But work with your son and you will get to a place where you fit.

 

[disneyfanforever]

Well I called the school, and I feel better because it doesn't look like the standardized test they take in 7th grade matters that much because there are no Pre-AP type classes in 8th grade. However, when he takes the standardized test in 8th grade, he will need to do better because they will use that as one measure of where to place him in the 9th grade courses.

Hopefully, he will do really well next year. Thanks for all of the information and advice.

 

[padams]

You can find SAT 10 practice tests online. I'd have him do some practice tests over the next year, particularly as you get closer to next year's test date. Don't overwhelm him, but help him prepare and know what to expect.