Karen and Michael Answer Questions of the Week
(Audio Teleseminar Feb. 1, 2011) – Top 1% and Top 5%
Listen to the teleseminar above as Karen Quinn and Michael McCurdy answer parent questions about private school admissions, gifted testing, interview anxiety, and preparing young children for academic evaluations.
In this 48-minute teleseminar, Karen and Michael discuss common concerns families face during the kindergarten admissions and gifted testing process, including school “playdates,” interview expectations, OLSAT scoring, and strategies for helping shy or anxious children feel more comfortable during evaluations.
Parents will learn what typically happens during private-school playdate sessions, in which children are separated from their parents and observed in small groups. Karen and Michael explain what admissions teams may be looking for during these sessions and how parents can gently prepare children ahead of time without creating pressure.
The teleseminar also covers questions about the OLSAT, including how scoring works for younger children and how many questions students may miss while still earning competitive scores for gifted and talented admissions. Families preparing for the Bracken School Readiness Assessment will also hear a discussion of how the assessment is administered as part of the New York City Department of Education gifted testing process.
Karen and Michael also provide reassurance for parents whose children struggle with separation anxiety, emotional shutdowns, or nervousness during school interviews. Additional advice is shared to maximize practice time before testing and to help children feel more confident and prepared on test day.
Questions answered during this teleseminar include:
• What happens during private school kindergarten “playdates,” and can children prepare for them?
• How is the OLSAT scored, and how many questions can a preschool child miss while still earning a strong score?
• What should parents do if a child cries, refuses to separate, or struggles during a private school interview?
• What are the best last-minute strategies for helping children perform well on gifted and admissions tests?
• What insights did educational expert Dr. Kim Har share about testing and child assessments?
• How is the Bracken administered during NYC gifted testing, and do testers stop sections after several incorrect answers?
• How does the application process work for gifted and talented programs, and when should parents apply to schools?
This teleseminar offers practical guidance and encouragement for parents navigating private school admissions, gifted testing, and early childhood academic evaluations.
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