Would you let your 7th grader...

[KelNottAt]

take the SATs?

DS has been invited to take the SATs in January. He's been invited to other GnT tests in the past and we went along with them cuz they seemed more age/grade appropriate.

But now, with the SATs, we're thinking "Why?" He's not going to college for another 6 years. And, since he's only 98th percentile (not 99) there will probably never be space for him in the GnT classes at school. So it's not like there's any peer pressure or in-school motivation to do it.

In the past his advanced tests would qualify him for special GnT summer camps. But he took one look at their geeky programs and nightly summer homework and let out a big "no way, mom!"

Part of me says "let a 12 yo be 12. don't rush to high school milestones." Then on the other hand, my friend say I should let him take the test, see how he does, and consider it an opportunity to become familiar with the process...regardless of score.

What do you think?
Kelley

 

[CheshireVal]

I took it when I was in 7th grade and I don't think it really helped or harmed me (Well, I was named Star Student in 12th grade for scoring the highest on SAT out of my class, but I doubt my 7th grade experience had much to do with that! )

A lot of 7th graders in my school (I'm a teacher) take it and the ones who have actually gone to the summer program as a result have really enjoyed it.

 

[tkd lisa]

Nope. I can't see much benefit. If it's just test familiarization, there are many sample tests available to see how the tests are set up.

IMO, taking the SAT just takes 4 hours (or however long it is now) out of his precious weekend time.

 

[BrerMom]

Sure, if he wants to. It takes away some of the mystery. If they're calmer when they take it the second time, they'll probably do better, right? So it can't hurt, as long as it's his idea. Practice tests don't have the same intensity of atmosphere and it may help him qualify for an extra program he wants to participate in later.

 

[luvmarypoppins]

I actually met a girl who did, I only knew her from one of the bowling teams that the ds played against. I got the idea that the mom really didnt push her, she wanted to do it, just for the experience. She was a sweet girl and even entered some beauty contest., her mom told me she was upset her daughter picked out such an expensive dress to wear. Oh well. I guess I wouldnt push it unless he wanted to etc. Good luck.

 

[CRB#33]

It may not qualify him for anything in his school, but he may be eligible for the CTY programs they offer. And they have some awesome one's for bright kids.

Plus, it gives him an upper hand when he has to take them for real. It won't be as nerve-wracking.

Keep in mind though, that the SATs are changing a bit. Today's format may be completely different in 4 years.

My DD took them when she was in 6th grade and she scored 1,000 total. Her mindset now is that she knows that she scored that well when she was 13, so she'll do great when she's 17.

Plus she took a Biology seminar at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore that was a highlight for her!

 

[KimR]

My DD is in the 7th grade and she will be taking the SAT in January. I think it will be a good experience for her and will give her an idea early on of her strengths/weaknesses and what she needs to concentrate on. I believe most of the kids in her class are taking it as well.

 

[Beauty]

I can definatly see the benefits. My 7th grader will be taking tha ACT in December.

I took the ACT in my 10th, 11th and 12th grade years. I improved my score by 2 points each time.

I'm not looking for him to do outstandingly well but I think it will help to show him the process he will be facing in the future.

I definatly can't see how a 4 hour test (with breaks in between) can hurt him.

There are 3 children in his class that made the Duke program and all 3, my son included are looking forward to taking the test. They will get special recognition at school and also have the opportunity to take the summer program.

I don't see any disadvantages whatsoever to taking it. I think its an honor.l

 

[bballmom56]

Originally posted by KelNottAt

consider it an opportunity to become familiar with the process...regardless of score.

Sure. My DD took it as part of the G&T program in 7th grade. Great way to see what the test is like with really no pressure.

 

[tracy51]

I took it in 7th grade... and the PSAT my freshman/sophmore year of high school and then the SAT again (for real this time) my junior year along with the ACT. I did decent (much better than average) but not perfect. The 7th grade time was more for the fun/experience of it. I don't think it helped me do any better when I took it for real.

As for the GnT stuff. In 3rd grade, school had me take an IQ test. My mom would not tell me my score and rightly so, but from that point on I was in GnT stuff for school. GnT kids can build up a lot of expectations for themselves and many adults do it to them too. Quite a few GnT kids I went to school with got burnt out before it was said and done. Let your son be your guide for what you let him do. If he's interested in doing some GnT stuff, encourage him and let him do it. If he wants to be a normal kid, let him be one. All I would do is make sure that he's not taking on too much or becoming bored in school. My daughter is in 5th grade and her father & I are talking for the first time about trying to get her into advanced math because she is consisently making 98-100 in the class and don't want her to become bored. Other than that, I have no desire to ever have her test for GnT. She's a bright kid, but until we see she is consistently aceing a subject and becoming bored, we aren't going to push for her to be in advanced or accelerated classes. I know people out there will think I'm doing her a disservice and that she may miss out on some great opurtunities, but having been down that road myself, I'm going to take my lead from her and let her be a kid for as long as she can. Besides, I know lots of people that weren't in advanced, accelerated or GnT classes who got great scholarships, have great careers and wonderful lives

 

[4nana]

Ours decided to take it for fun as part of the G&T program offered through Johns Hopkins. They found it to be a good experience testing their strengths and weaknesses. When the real McCoy came due, they were much more comfortable. It also opened the door to some very enjoyable and beneficial G&T summer programs. Best wishes to your DS if he decides to do so.

~ Sandie

 

[eeyore kelly]

I personally see no harm in taking the test early, but I see no real help either. I would let it be DS's choice.

 

[tar heel]

My oldest son didn't think taking it was a big deal, but he might have thought NOT TAKING it was since a lot of his peers were doing it. I think it was nice for him to see what it was like before he got to high school, but certainly not essential. The Duke programs he qualified for were way out of our budget, so he didn't get anything out of the TIP program itself other than the SAT experience and a bit of recognition.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Yes, it would give my dd the insight she needs to understand that she should pay attention in math.

 

[4greatboys]

My oldest ds took it when he was in the 7th grade through the Duke University TIP program. I think its a good experience for them.

 

[lapinluv]

I took it in 7th grade and did fairly well. It helped me understand what I was in for when I took it "for real" later. Just don't put any pressure on him about it. If he does horribly, no big deal. If he does wondefully, then great! One less thing to be scared of later in life.

 

[janette]

I've signed my 7th grader up. It is such an important score now that I think the extra practice certainly can't hurt. I'm not going to worry about the score & won't be doing any preparation. My DD will be going to college and is in a good school so the competition is even harder for top spots. I'd like her to have every advantage.

 

[Regina]

My middle child took it as part of the Johns Hopkins program when she was in 7th grade. My youngest qualified but didn't want to participate in the program.

It doesn't do any harm and she liked having a chance to see what the test was all about. She did pretty well as I recall.

 

[CJMickeyMouse]

If you want to improve chances for your child to be in TAG, then a decent score on the SAT's would definitely open some eyes.

My 9th grader will take the ACT for the 4th time, and the SAT for the second time (he wants to take the new version just to see what the changes are). He thinks it's fun to try to beat his previous scores, and he has already scored well enough to enter the college of his choice.

My 7th grader will take the ACT for the second time, and the SAT for the first time this year. He is also scoring very well.

I guess it all just depends on the child.

The first time I dropped off my oldest son (he was in 6th grade at the time) I told him I did not care what he scored, just to familiarize himself with the test and guess if he did not know an answer. He came out saying it was easy - I think he scored a composite of 22 that year. Each year since he has gained at least two points.

I DEFINITELY think it will help them score higher when the test "matters". As for the practice tests being the same as the real deal.... I disagree. Going to the site, registering, and sitting among a bunch of other students who are trying to do well is a whole different experience.

Good luck to him if he decides to give it a try!!

 

[Sandy51]

Yes, my son took it in 7th grade. It helps to get them familiar with standardized testing. He took it two more times and did better each time.

Sandy