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My 8th grader is writing Explore today at the school. For a cost of $7.50, which is laughable compared to talent search
I am really curious how he does. He has never written Explore before .
Are your schools offering anything like that?

Our schools do it for 8th and 9th graders under the federal GEAR UP program (don't remember what that acronym stands for, but essentially it's college readiness). It's free and mandated for all district 8th & 9th graders. Then 10th graders take PLAN, 11th graders ACT.

P.S. It was weird last year when DS 9th grader took EXPLORE (he had taken it 3 yrs before). DS 5th grade also took it last year about the same time and DS 5th grade out-scored his older bro in math (by about 5 points!)

Well, he has said it was really easy, but he was sick that day.
I wonder how well he did, I am under the impression that he does better on more difficult tests rather than easier ones.

Cym - 5 points on the Explore is tons!

I know! Oldest DS is strong in English/Reading, and just good at math (not great). He loves math but has gone his whole schooling to date never having been taught math by someone who loves math and can teach outside the lesson plan & answer sheet. He's facing next year (pre-calc with teacher reputed to be awful).

Meanwhile DS10 is a natural in math, though he might not find someone to help him develop that (though I'm hopeful the community college might serve that purpose next year).