Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Identification, Testing & Assessment SAT 500 = Algebra Readiness per SMPY?

I am rereading portions of Developing Math Talent by Assouline & Lupkowski-Shoplik and am a bit puzzled by the following paragraph:

The work by the Study of Mathematically Precocious Youth (SMPY) at Johns Hopkins University has been useful in helping school personnel determine when students have the formal reasoning skills needed to make a rigorous Algebra I course. SMPY defined readiness as having earned a score of 500 or above on the mathematics section of the SAT 1 before age 13.

First of all, I don't really know how low of a score 500 on the SAT is, but would have guessed that it was somewhere in the middle range. However, as I recalled, SAT tests Algebra and Geometry. An inference from reading the text would be that you don't need algebra or geometry to do okay on the SAT? Would it be fair to say taht a 500 on the SAT would represent solid Pre-Algebra skills but no mastery/training in Algebra?

This is not a purely academic question. I am trying to figure out whether DS who will be starting 4th grade in the fall is ready to study Algebra. He has mastered the Pre-Algebra course in Aleks fairly quickly (a few weeks) and without much difficulty (occasional clarifications from me). Does this mean that he is ready for Algeba? However, I guess I am partly hesitating because the acceleration seems kind of radical, especially for a kid who is really more of a "verbal" rather than a "math" talent. If I leave everything alone, he would be scheduled to take Algebra I in 6th grade. These days I seem to be going back and forth as far as what is best for him.

I took the SAT in 7th grade (early to mid 1990's) while I was learning pre-algebra. I scored over a 500. I did not have any tutoring from my parents or anyone else, no advanced work at school (did not get along with my teacher that year at all... probably got a C in 7th grade math the same quarter I bested the average college bound high school Junior on the SAT.)

Many of the questions do involve algebra and geometry, but you can accumulate a decent number of points with simple reasoning and arithmetic. Some of the other pre-algebra students who took the SAT with me scored in the mid 400 range, and they did fine in their algebra classes.

The inevitable realization here is that the average college bound high school junior is making enough simple arithmetic mistakes to offset the answers they get right on account of actually having studied algebra and geometry. This happens despite the obvious importance of the test.

Similarly, I worked at a bank one summer and I was surprised to find out how often career bank tellers (some with more than 15 years of experience) didn't have the right amount of money in their drawers at the end of the day. Apparently practice does not make perfect.

Would it be fair to say taht a 500 on the SAT would represent solid Pre-Algebra skills but no mastery/training in Algebra?

I think that makes sense. Last year, a 500 was, as you thought, right in the middle at the 47th%-ile. My ds12 took it in January of last year at age 11, halfway through a 6th grade pre-Algebra course. He scored a 590 and we did no prep. I think he easily could have done Algebra last year, but that wasn't an option through our school.
Is your son at a traditional school or home-schooled? For me, I probably wouldn't accelerate much past Algebra in 5th or 6th, simply because there wouldn't be a lot of options where we live and I wouldn't really know at that age whether my child had enough of an interest to really want to do that kind of high-level math later on (but we're more laid-back than many parents of gifted, I think). Our younger son had a principal more open to acceleration and he is on track to do Alg in 6th, which will put him at Calculus in 10th. I figure if he does Calc III and AP Stats in HS, that will be more than enough. If he wants to major in math or engineering, he'll probably want to take anything beyond that at his college. I also want my kids to have "the college experience" - older dd is graduating in three years from college without much effort at all due to lots of AP, and honestly, she's a little disappointed (and being young to begin with, she's had a few age challenges when looking for work and/or internships). Anyway, I know that my view is WAY down the road and you're probably not even thinking about those things, which I completely understand. However, having two older ones now (dd21 has graduated and is working as a biochemist, dd19 is a senior in college), I do tend to take the long view.
However, all that said, if your ds is dying to advance in math and is really motivated and excited, I certainly wouldn't hold him back.

Thanks. That was very helpful perspective. I suppose I can always sit DS down with a released or practice SAT math and see if passes teh SMPY hurdle.

It's been a really long time since I took the SAT, but I seem to remember time and tricky questions as the factors, at least for the high end scores (above 700). However, I took the SAT back when it was considered a reliable estimate for IQ and before the test and scores got watered down so that over 700 was actually impressive as oppose to just very good.

DS is at a brick & mortar school. Actually, I wouldn't mind DS repeating Pre-Algebra for 4th grade and wait until 5th grade before taking Algebra. It's not really a race to finish the math sequence, but I want DS to not have to sit through material that is too many years below his ability level. On the other hand, I can't really say that he is dying to advanced or really motivated or excited.

Actually, I do appreciate the long view and that is one of the reasons that I did not pursue grade-skipping when it was suggested in second grade. In fact, it is the really long view that has me concerned with DS going through another year of math where he says that he only learned a couple of new things all year. I think I would rather he didn't do any math at school and be allowed to play chess on the computer or watch videos on Kahn Academy.

I suggest exposing your son at least briefly to all the math topics the SAT tests, using for example "Math Study Guide for the SAT, ACT and SAT Subject Tests" by Richard Corn before having him take it. My 8yo used the book and scored well.

Your suggestion is an excellent one if/when the goal is to achieve the highest score possible on the SAT. However, I would worry that he was only passing the SMPY hurdle because I prep him and therefore he isn't really ready. Okay - I can see that worry may be a tad irrational.