Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Age or Ability Specific Forums High School Talent Search in HS

yeah! Real perfect 2400 scores are pretty rare. Around 300 every year. Then there are also super-scored 2400, combined highest section score of different sittings. Don't know how many of them each year.

Ania, my older daughter is already in college. My younger one is a HS senior this year, in the middle of college application right now. For some reason, I had the impression that your oldest son is also a senior, may be I remembered wrong.

As for your question about ACT, I would think that they keep all the scores (not sure about the score before high school), you may want to call them just to make sure. CTY summer camps are more suitable for middle school kids. For high school kids who are interested in math, there are a number of more serious camps such as PROMYS, Canada/USA Mathcamp, SUMac, etc. They usually require entry test (fairly difficult) which weeds out anyone who are not serious.

My oldest (now jr) did not do talent search past 8th grade. But I think my 9th grader will take one of the tests this yr to keep "in the swing of it". Maybe even both--we'll see.

Ania--for your son who is so close to perfect scores, it might be good to give it another shot.

Okay, this thread has me a little worried now. WATS/RMATS had told us that scores from middle school would not be part of dd's SAT or ACT record -- as if she had never taken it. She took the SAT last year shortly after her 10th bd as a 6th grader. While she didn't bomb it (scored on par with the avg 6th grader in our talent search region who took the SAT), she certainly didn't do "well" by college admission standards.

She is registered to take both the SAT and ACT this year as a 7th grader. For her, practice really reduces anxiety which will be a good thing when she needs the scores.

From what you all are saying, though, it sounds like should she be applying to some competitive colleges at age 16, they will see her SAT scores from when she was 10. Is that correct? Also, does her record record age as well as grade in that dd is very young for grade?

no, they shouldn't appear when testing through talent search -- unless you specifically request that they retain the scores (that's my understanding).

Cricket2 - everything through and including 8th grade is not permanent, so test to your heart content.
After eight grade it becomes a little tricky. Both ACT and SAT have a "score choice" policy now BUT some colleges still want to see all scores. Go figure.
We have decided not to pursue ACT/SAT any more till son will be ready for college entrance. While I know that his scores would be good, I don't think that it is wise to have too many of them.
I know that practice would be good Cym, but I worry that he will have to take it 2-3 times in the future anyway .
PSAT for practice last Saturday (the score will not count for anything nor be included anywhere) Yep, practice alleviates fear. He is not bothered by any standardized tests at this point.