Preparing your child for a gifted test is never easy. It takes a lot of studying and effort on both the child and parent to succeed. What makes it even more difficult is that schools don't always disclose the name of the test they use for their admissions. By focusing on these skills and using these tips, your child can better prepare for tests such as WPPSI, WISC, OLSAT, COGAT, NNAT and more.
When parent's first consider putting their child in a gifted and talented school program, they often panic and frantically try to prepare their child. Before you wonder "How can I prepare?" you need to take a deep breath. Any stress you display to your child could make them uneasy, which will affect their concentration levels and ability to learn. Keep a calm mind at all times as you prepare your child to the best of your ability.
Gifted and Talented school programs are very limited in number. Over 14,000 preschoolers take one of these competitive tests every year, making testing spots limited. Not only are you more likely to get the testing date you want if you register early, you will also be able to ease some of the stress you have later on.
Almost all G&T tests are administered one-on-one. This means that personal skills are very important. Your child will need to be polite and listen to instructions carefully. This will not only help them communicate their answers, it will also keep them calm during testing. Emphasize these skills as early as possible to increase the odds that your child will score high on each section of the test.
Spatial reasoning skills can include the ability to analyze patterns, solve riddles and understand shapes. Start by teaching different shapes and how they relate to one another. By paying close attention to different sizes, shapes, colors and angles, your child will be able to better analyze patterns used on most tests.
Most G&T tests will also include a verbal portion of the test. During this time, an adult will ask your child a question and expect them to answer. While your child will be given time to think, they will need to be able to communicate their answer in a way that makes sense. Use an online study guide to get examples of questions asked on various tests. The questions change every year, but they always emphasize critical thinking.
While tests tend to be split between verbal and nonverbal skills, communication is always the key to success. If your child speaks multiple languages, make sure you brush up on communication skills in the language the test will be taken in. You don't want a language gap to be the reason why your child doesn't get a passing grade. If necessary, make flashcards and label things around the house in the language your child needs to better learn. Have casual conversations in the language, giving your child plenty of practice before their test.
Passion is important when it comes to education. If you focus on learning constantly, your child may become disinterested. This can really show when it comes time for the admissions test and can lead to problems later down the line. Instead, relax and try to find fun ways for your child to learn. Educational games are a great way to get your child motivated about a topic or learn a process.
To learn more about current gifted and talented tests and study tips that can help your child, please contact us today.
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