The tests used by many schools to determine admissions to private schools can offer up conflicting and sometimes unexpected results. There are different tests for just about every age group and school type. There are tests for elementary, middle and high school Private Schools, tests for Catholic Schools and Public School gifted and talented programs. It seems that no matter where you go there is a test to determine your child’s ability to satisfy the rigors of a particular academic program.
The ISEE is one of the admissions tests that are used by many Private Schools. Though taken at the different levels, generally you can say that the ISEE consists of an essay and standardized verbal and quantitative reasoning tests that measure a student’s capability for learning, and reading comprehension and mathematics. Test results are supposed to give specific information about an individual student’s strengths and weaknesses.
Not every family is satisfied with the ISEE results, however. One Private School parent said:
Our son just had a bad day the day that he took the test. He woke up miserable; he was uncharacteristically tired and moody even though we had made sure that he was well rested the night before the test. We had to accept his rather miserable scores that day and move on. He wasn’t eligible to retake the ISEE for 6th months and the school received the score because he had to put down the school code when he signed up for the test. We had to rely on a great interview and rock solid application.
Another family, who had a child take a popular IQ test used by many schools, said:
Our daughter’s results weren’t just “Not top tier,” they were below average. It may have been the single most disappointing moment I have had as a parent. How would any school look past a below average score to see the bright, inquisitive but inconsistent child, a child so ready and happy to learn but still young enough to be distracted by a sunny day outside?
In the end, both of these children were accepted into the schools that they applied to, to the somewhat amazed delight of their parents. While testing is a crucial part of the Private School admissions process, the right school will look at the child beyond the scores.
Related posts:
Comments on this entry are closed.