Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Identification, Testing & Assessment Question about Explore testing

I'm considering having my rising 4th grader take the Explore Jan 2010. I recall preping for the SAT/ACT. Do you do any prepping for the Explore or is the point to see see more ability then topics learned? I saw a sample sheet and was thinking of having DS work through that to get a handle on if it's even something we should attempt this year or wait a year.

Thanks,
Dazey

My DD didn't prep at all. Since I'm such a "type A", I tried in vain to find anything more than the booklet they send in the mail 2 weeks before the test (which has the same questions as the explore website has). At one time, I think they used to print a full-length practice test, but I couldn't find it.

Re: whether to test a 4th grader - depends on the kid. It is quite challenging for that age, and some kids might be upset that they can't answer all the questions. I think going through the practice questions might give you a good idea.

Hi,
My fifth grader took the Explore in January through TIP. The only prepping she did was to do the practice test that came with our registration pack. I would say its mostly to see ability and how they interpret data. If your child has experience with standardized testing I wouldn't worry. If not, then work on using a bubble sheet and transferring answers from the book to the answer sheet just to get comfortable. Overall it was a good experience for DD.
Wendy

The only prepping I'd do is to get him the calculator he'll use if he doesn't already have one, so it's not brand-new in January. DS had never used a calculator until maybe eight weeks before he first took the Explore, so we did a little math each day with it (like five problems) to make sure he knew how it worked.

OH yes, I meant to ask about that. So a calculator is needed. He does know how to use one but could definitely use more practice. I'll give him the sample sheets and think about if he should wait until 5th. He's ok with not knowing the all the answers but I'd hate for him to do devastatingly poor on it as it might give him a mental block towards taking it again.

That was one thing I emphasized with DS (especially since he was really REALLY young -- 7 1/2 -- when he first took it). I wanted him to be absolutely clear on the expectation that he wouldn't finish, that there would be questions he didn't know, and that there wasn't any minimum "good" score. Just taking it was impressive, and whatever he got was whatever he got -- I already know what he can do, so it's not a question of that.

DS just took the ACT for the first time this past weekend, and it was another round of the same idea. He didn't need to worry about score, or finishing, or anything - just do it, and when you get to something that looks too hard, guess and move on. What do you get if you do really well? donuts. What do you get if you get every single problem wrong? donuts. Yay for testing centers near Krispy Kreme (says she who is planning to schedule her own actuarial exams for the location right next to the Polish deli... Mmmmmm.... tests.....)

If you think he'll seriously freak out, then I'd skip it, but I do think it's a good thing to nudge them a little outside their comfort range (just a little!) so the second time is easier. At this point the Explore is a walk in the park - not because he gets them all right but because he knows it's no big deal. Standing in line with him at the ACT place I was struck by how freaked out some of the high school kids looked (and probably having a short 9 year old in their line didn't help... LOL)... I know it matters more to them, but it made me think that an earlier, laid-back start to it could go a long way to making it less overwhelming when it counts.

True, I can emphasize this is a practice run for later testing!

thanks!
Dazey