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My six year old is in the first grade. She's doing really well (aces her spelling and math quizzes). Her teacher emailed me to say that she'd like her tested into gifted if I was ok with that. I said 'sure'. Then I started Googling what that means. I assume (though I haven't confirmed with the teacher) that she will be taking the cogAT (form 6) test. I went on our district's website and it seems that this is what they give to students testing into gifted. But I'm confused - does she take the 2nd grade cogAT (form 6) test? Is there a 1st grade, 2nd grade, 3rd grade, etc versions of this form 6 test? Is the cogAT just a standard test but she's taking it early so that will help them decide if she goes into gifted classes? Or is the cogAT actually a specific test tailored for gifted children? Sorry, I'm new to all this! I'd like to help her prep a little (I looked at some sample questions and I'd like to print out a bunch (or even buy a book) to help her prepare). But I don't know if I'm supposed to be looking at cogAT for 2nd grade or what! If you can help, I'd appreciate it. Thanks.
DO NOT prep her for this. If she's gifted, she'll get in, if she's not then you are setting her up for failure by pushing her into a program that may be above her head.
Got it! Point taken. It's tough because you Google it and you see all these websites selling books to help your child practice. But then I come across lots of comments like yours too.
DO NOT prep her for this. If she's gifted, she'll get in, if she's not then you are setting her up for failure by pushing her into a program that may be above her head.
I have seen this very thing happen. These tests are meant to be taken without any prep and parents who prep their kids for it do them no favor.
My daughter's former school gave the cogAt test every year. There is a test for kindergarten and for first grade, so I would doubt they would give your child a second grade test. I believe it is the level that matters more than the form.
As for preparation, while I agree you can't really study for such a test, I think it is helpful to try a few practice questions so a child knows what to expect. One of my kids took a different gifted test at a university, and they offered a short sample test before she came. This can help with simple things like how to handle a scantron and what types of logic questions they may see. If a young child goes in completely cold, I think it can make them anxious. It eases the "unknown" factor by trying a few questions before test-taking time. There should be some sample questions online you can try.
DO NOT prep her for this. If she's gifted, she'll get in, if she's not then you are setting her up for failure by pushing her into a program that may be above her head.
Sorry, but I respectfully disagree. This is a very American way of looking at "giftedness." People of many other nationalities routinely prep their kids for those tests, and they do get into the gifted programs and they do succeed there. Americans believe that academic success comes from within and cannot be taught or forced. I think the proportions of Asian students in our gifted programs somewhat militates against that belief, at least to those of us familiar with Asian communities and their heavy participation in tutoring and test prep activities, even at a very young age. They believe academic success comes from hard work and that all their children can be "gifted" if they work hard enough.
If a child at the age of 6 or 7 is capable of prepping for a test at all, then they will likely do just fine in a "gifted" program. Notice I put gifted in quotes - the majority of students who are "gifted" are just hard workers who are smart - they are not little Mozarts. I have taught these kids, both in elementary school and when they get to college, and a few are really talented, but most are just smart and hard working.
Sorry, but I respectfully disagree. This is a very American way of looking at "giftedness." People of many other nationalities routinely prep their kids for those tests, and they do get into the gifted programs and they do succeed there. Americans believe that academic success comes from within and cannot be taught or forced. I think the proportions of Asian students in our gifted programs somewhat militates against that belief, at least to those of us familiar with Asian communities and their heavy participation in tutoring and test prep activities, even at a very young age. They believe academic success comes from hard work and that all their children can be "gifted" if they work hard enough.
If a child at the age of 6 or 7 is capable of prepping for a test at all, then they will likely do just fine in a "gifted" program. Notice I put gifted in quotes - the majority of students who are "gifted" are just hard workers who are smart - they are not little Mozarts. I have taught these kids, both in elementary school and when they get to college, and a few are really talented, but most are just smart and hard working.
Yep, and this is America.
The whole point of a gifted program is to help those student who "get it" faster. I think parents who (no matter what their nationality) push very young students too hard are doing their kids no favors and just want some bragging rights for themselves.
Sorry, but I respectfully disagree. This is a very American way of looking at "giftedness." People of many other nationalities routinely prep their kids for those tests, and they do get into the gifted programs and they do succeed there. Americans believe that academic success comes from within and cannot be taught or forced. I think the proportions of Asian students in our gifted programs somewhat militates against that belief, at least to those of us familiar with Asian communities and their heavy participation in tutoring and test prep activities, even at a very young age. They believe academic success comes from hard work and that all their children can be "gifted" if they work hard enough.
If a child at the age of 6 or 7 is capable of prepping for a test at all, then they will likely do just fine in a "gifted" program. Notice I put gifted in quotes - the majority of students who are "gifted" are just hard workers who are smart - they are not little Mozarts. I have taught these kids, both in elementary school and when they get to college, and a few are really talented, but most are just smart and hard working.
I agree that hard work is very important, and certainly children exposed to more reading, writing and math etc. are more likely to do better on tests. However, I think it is important to note that there is a difference between achievement tests and ability tests.
Children who work hard have a higher likelihood of doing well on an achievement test but not necessarily an abilities test. When my daughter took her test at the university, for example, they made it clear upfront in the literature that the math section could be completed without really doing any math or even knowing how to do the math. For example, my daughter had not learned how to do multiplication yet when she took the test. However, questions may include: Which is bigger 582 x 3 or 582 x 4? This is a simplistic logic question.
Whether or not such abilities tests should be used is a different question. However, it does seem to be true that children who do well on these tests tend to learn faster. Therefore, gifted placement may be appropriate for them.
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