Preparing for the NYC Gifted and Talented Test

posted by Karen Quinn, The Testing Mom - August 24th, 2014

If your child is taking the NYC Gifted and Talented test this year, it’s critical that they’re prepared. Taking practice tests for the NYC Gifted and Talented test is a great way to get your child ready for the test. Your child may get nervous and it’s a good idea to give them an idea of what they’re going to face on the test.

The NYC G&T test is super competitive, and getting more so each year. Many kids get nervous or anxious before taking the test, and a case of nerves can actually negatively impact their score. That’s why it’s important to both reassure your child and give them an idea of what they’ll face on test day so they go in feeling not only calm, but confident!

There several ways to get your child ready for the test. The first is to start preparing as early as possible. You don’t want to burn your kid out by cramming for the test within the last few days, forcing them to sit still an hour when they’ve never done so before. Start out gradually and build up your child’s concentration span so that when test day rolls around, they’ll be able to sit still and focus.

It’s also important to talk to your child about what will be on the test. Get their skills up to speed so that they won’t be stumped if any hard questions pop up on the test. Use a variety of different materials – workbooks, online games, brain games – to prepare for the test so that your child doesn’t get burned out using the same materials repeatedly.

Finally, the day before the test, make sure your child goes to bed at a reasonable hour. And give them a healthy, filling breakfast the day of the test so they have fuel to get through the test.