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Many raised their eyebrows when the STAAR test replaced the famous Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills or TAKS test. The Texas STAAR test is similar to the TAKS in many ways such as the fact that it is conducted only to public school students throughout Texas. It also aims to assess the performance of […]

Preparation for ELA testing has become a regular routine for most households with school age children. However, this doesn’t mean it’s become easier or less expensive. With more standardized tests added, it seems, every year, test prep can quickly become almost overwhelming. This is especially true for parents with two or more school age children. […]

Does breastfeeding increase IQ? Well, according to researchers from Boston Children’s Hospital and Harvard University it does look like there is a correlation between breastfeeding and higher IQ. More than 1,000 babies who were breastfed from their mothers for at least a 6 month period were included in this research study. After that, the children […]

Is your child getting ready for the NYC gifted and talented test for OLSAT® and NNAT®-2? If so, here are some practice questions your child might expect to see. Can you believe they ask these questions of 4-year-olds? Oh my! These are difficult for most adults to answer correctly, let alone a little child. If […]

Finding the appropriate social studies ELA Common Core practice questions to help your child prepare for a test can be a challenge. There are plenty of study guides and software packages available, but determining which one is right for your child can be downright confusing. In addition, the cost of these packages quickly adds up […]

Perhaps you’ve heard of the Prep for Prep program and wondered what, exactly, it is. The program’s catchy name entices a lot of parents who are looking for a top-flight education for their little one. Prep for Prep was founded in 1978 by a Bronx public school teacher named Gary Simons. According to its website, […]

Many children struggle with math. You can hear your child complaining about how boring and difficult math is. It is difficult to keep math lessons fun in classrooms. That’s because they don’t have fun learning it in school. Perhaps they often hit the books during class and there are insufficient activities provided after their lesson. […]

Common Core math is just another part of today’s academic environment, which is very different from the environment of just a few short years ago. Competition, especially if a child is attempting to gain admittance to gifted, talented or advanced placement programs, can be fierce. In addition, even students in traditional public and private schools […]

The Canadian Test of Basic Skills™ (or CTBS™ test) is a test used commonly in Canada to qualify students for gifted and talented programs. Like tests in the United States, the CTBS test can be competitive and it’s important for children to feel prepared for the test lest they get blindsided by difficult questions. The […]

The Common Core State Standards Initiative, created by the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) and the National Governors Association (NGA), is aimed at ensuring that each graduating high school student has the knowledge and skills necessary for thriving in the world after graduation. In addition, the yearly tests help to ensure that each […]

The NYC Gifted and Talented test will be here in less than 3 months, and parents have precious little time to prepare. The test has seemingly gotten more and more competitive with each passing year, with children often needing to score in the 99th percentile just to have a chance at a seat in the […]

The Texas STAAR exam started only last year but so far, many are already aware of its disadvantages. The test is a product of Pearson education in partnership with Texas Education Agency as a replacement to the previous Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills or TAKS. Though the STAAR test has good intentions such as […]

What is the State Standards Initiative Test? A joint effort of the Council of the Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) and the National Governors Association (NGA), the Common Core State Standards Initiative test is actually a battery of tests. Designed to help students become better prepared for life after high school, the tests are given […]

Lots of parents in Northern Virginia find themselves wondering, what exactly is the Fairfax County AAP program and how can I get my child ready? As is true for so many school districts across the country, the program in Fairfax County is highly competitive and difficult for children to get into. The good news is […]

The ELA Common Core tests are given to children in every grade, including kindergarten and pre-kindergarten. However, there is a distinct difference between the tests used in grades K through five and the tests used in grades six and up. Younger children in lower grades receive only the English portion of the ELA Common Core […]

The Texas TAKS has now been completely phased out after being replaced by the Texas STAAR in 2012. But before schools finally say goodbye to this assessment tool that has been around since 2003, they should make use of the TAKS results to their advantage. There are schools that simply conduct Texas TAKS just to […]

If your child is facing an upcoming ELA Common Core test which will feature math, you’re probably wondering about the best and most effective way to help them prepare and study. With the large number of standardized tests facing students today and the ever-increasing pressure involved, test preparation has become much more common than in […]

Word is out in New York City and across the country about the AABL ® test, or Admissions Test for Beginning Learners ®. The AABL test is an achievement test that measures kids’ kindergarten readiness. Subjects tested on the test include phonics, math, and pre-reading. After private schools in New York City announced recently that […]

There are so many gifts and talents that include creativity, sports, music, arts but an IQ test evaluates a child’s academic gifts. IQ scores that put children in the gifted and talented range for academics are:     131 – 145 – Moderately Gifted     146 – 159 – Highly Gifted     160 – 179 – […]

One of the newest standardized tests, the ELA Common Core is a nationwide initiative aimed at improving the educational level of graduating high school seniors. Here, we’ll review the goals of the initiative as well as what it means for you and your child. What is the ELA Common Core? Designed through a collaboration between […]

The STAAR test, or State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness is an effective assessment tool utilized by public schools in the whole state of Texas. What makes it stand out from other tests out there is that it evaluates the academic performance of learners in each included subject area and the scores thereafter contribute […]

Due to the strong focus on English regarding the ELA Common Core standardized test, many parents become confused as to how to help their children prepare. Traditional science practice questions are not effective, as the test is specially designed to test and promote reading comprehension, even during the history, science and math portions. How to […]

The Fairfax County AAP, or Advanced Academic Programs, is the gifted and talented program for Fairfax County, in Northern Virginia. Testing for Fairfax County AAP consists of a mix of the CogAT® test and the NNAT® test. Fairfax County Public Schools does not share publicly which version of the CogAT test they use for AAP […]

When preparing for an upcoming standardized test, most parents are curious as to the best way to help their child practice. The ELA Common Core tests are no different. For many parents, they’re actually a bit more confusing than other, more traditional standardized tests. This is because while the tests have sections on subjects other […]

The OLSAT® test, or Otis-Lennon School Ability Test®, is a test commonly used by school districts across the United States to screen kids for entry into Gifted and Talented or other advanced programs. The OLSAT test is a cognitive test, meaning that it measures abstract thinking and reasoning skills. Cognitive tests are sometimes called school […]

Choosing a method of test prep for the ELA common core can be confusing and even frustrating for both students and parents. After all, there are more standardized tests being administered to students than ever before. These tests span all ages and grades and test every imaginable subject. The ELA Common Core is a relative […]

Should I apply my child for the NYC G&T test? This is a question many parents in New York City have to ask themselves as their child approaches kindergarten age. The obvious answer is that every child is different and will do best in a program that suits their unique talents and skills. That said, […]

The ELA Common Core test battery is the result of the State Standards Initiative. This initiative has several goals and is a joint effort of the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) and the National Governors Association (NGO). Broad Goals In the broadest terms, the State Standards Initiative is an effort to bring some […]

While many parents choose to purchase ready-made history practice questions in study guides and software when preparing their children for standardized tests, the cost can be quite high. This is especially true if you have two or more children in school. With the growing number of standardized tests being administered to children at all grade […]

Lots of parents wonder if science practice questions are necessary. Since the ELA (English Language Arts) Common Core testing battery places an emphasis on English language skills, many parents are confused when it comes time for test preparation and study. Are practice questions for other tested subjects, including science, history, math and social studies really […]

The ELA Common Core standards tests are right around the corner! Test prep can mean the difference between a student performing to their highest potential and a student earning an inaccurately low testing score. As a parent, you are in the best position to help your student prepare for the ELA Common Core standardized tests. […]

The NNAT® test is commonly given to children applying for entry in a Gifted and Talented or other advanced program. The NNAT test includes matrix reasoning questions made up of shapes and diagrams. The test is non-verbal, meaning that verbal skills aren’t necessary for the child to answer the question. The test is considered culturally […]

While the ELA Common Core test battery keeps its main focus on English language skills, other subjects are tested as well. One of these is history, and, if there is determined to be a significant difference between the two, social studies. Test prep is practically the norm these days; the number of standardized tests being […]

Many parents are looking for history practice questions for ELA Common Core Testing. Test preparation can be a stressful time for both students and parents. You want your child to do well on their upcoming ELA examination, but you don’t want to pressure them into testing anxiety. Thankfully, there’s no reason for test prep to […]

The CogAT ® test is a commonly given cognitive test that is often used to measure kids for their suitability for a Gifted and Talented program. Many school districts give the CogAT test early in the year and since the competition among parents is fierce to get their kids into a G&T program, the jockeying […]

Lately we’ve been hearing a lot about English Language Arts and math Common Core Standards. These are the super-tough state standards that are rolling out in schools across the country this fall. Today’s students are faced with more standardized testing than every before. Every month, it seems, another standardized test is announced. As a result, […]

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 […]

Today we’ll finish our list of back to school necessities! School is starting soon so make sure your child is ready! S. Study Island. This groundbreaking program helps prepare your child for Common Core and other testing in a variety of subjects, including math, language arts, science, and social studies. Naturally, it’s included in your […]

Many parents are already asking about the NYC Gifted and Talented test, given that school is starting across the country, and will be in session in NYC in just a few short weeks. The NYC Gifted and Talented test is a mix of questions from the Naglieri Nonverbal Ability Test ® (NNAT ® Test) and […]

A few days ago, we began a list of back to school essentials, from A to Z. Today we continue that list, with great back to school tips for you and your child! L. Live events. There is nothing more valuable than meeting with a group of parents in your area so you can swap […]

Are you smarter than a 4-year-old? Find out with the practice questions below that are given to 4-year-old kids to get into some of the most competitive kindergartens in the United States for gifted and talented and private schools. Even if a child scores a 99th percentile that still doesn’t guarantee placement in cities like […]

For parents familiar with the CogAT® test, it’s hard to believe that it’s almost that time of year again. The summer is winding down and soon kids across the country will be filing back into the classroom. Along with all the homework and extracurricular activities, kids will also be getting ready to take the Cognitive […]

Well, it’s the time of year for the back to school checklist.  I can’t tell you how many parents I’ve talked to who failed to get their child ready for the beginning of the school year. Proper back-to-school preparations are about much more than buying pencils and backpacks from Amazon, Wal-mart or Target. Back-to-school activities […]

For many parents, the relatively recent introduction of the State Standards Initiative’s Common Core has represented a challenge. How much will this new way of learning and teaching change the fairly routine process of test prep? Thankfully, with a bit of research, standards-based test prep becomes as easy as any standardized test your child has […]

The AABL Test assesses a child’s skills in the area of quantitative reasoning and mathematical skills. This covers a myriad of individual abilities, including: • computational skills (counting, adding, subtracting), • higher order mathematical thinking (patterning, sequencing, ordering, classifying, comparing), and • math reasoning (solving mathematical problems, understanding concepts of relativity, directionality, time, measurement). Hundreds […]

In the state of California, home of the California Standards Test, there are very specific testing criteria in place to ensure that each student receives a quality education. The standardized tests used to assess student progress are known by several different names. The California Standards Test (CST) is also commonly called the STAR exam or […]

The time is inching closer to the NYC gifted and talented test for all the talented tots across the 5 boroughs. Here are some sample questions for the New York City Gifted and Talented test.Are you smarter than a 4-year-old? Well, find out with the questions below. These are the types of questions a 4-year-old […]

Are you smart enough to get into a New York City elite kindergarten? Or should we ask are you ready, willing and AABL®? AABL, as in the Admissions Assessment for Beginning Learners®. Things have changed for NYC parents who are vying for a spot in some of the most competitive schools in the world. But we’re […]

The AABL Test assesses a child’s skills in the area of Verbal Reasoning. Verbal reasoning is a child’s ability to tune in, understand, and reason using language they hear or pictures they see. As students get older, this would be their ability to reasoning skills to solve problems or answer questions related to what they […]

If you’ve been parenting school age children in California for a while, you probably already know all about the CDE STAR test. If you’re a newcomer to the state, however, or if your young child is about to start school, the California Department of Education’s STAR test may be new territory for you. Here, we’ll […]

The AABL® Test assesses a child’s skills in the area of Early Literacy. This covers a myriad of individual abilities, including: Early Literacy Skills • a good vocabulary, • ability to identify numbers, letters, shapes , • knowledge of letter sounds, • can recognize and use rhyme and alliteration (Peter Piper picked a peck…), • […]

Thanks to the internet and to parents everywhere who are interested in their children’s academic futures, there are a lot of resources now available for practice questions for the CCAT™ test. Practice sessions can help children become more comfortable with, as well as more adept at, dealing with questions that require the application of reasoning […]

Parents of children in California often look for a description of the CA standardized test. In California, the standardized test given to elementary and high school students goes by several names. Officially known as the Standardized Testing and Reporting examination (or programs), the name is often shortened to the STAR exam, STAR program or STAR […]

Taking practice tests for the CogAT® test before sitting down to take the formal Cognitive Abilities Test ™ at school can be a way to relieve some of the stress from your child. Kids can get nervous over taking any kind of test, but particularly when taking a standardized test that so much rides on. […]

If you’ve heard of standards based tests in Spanish, or STS, you may be wondering what this term refers to. In the state of California, a set of standardized test are administered on a yearly basis. These tests assess the progress of each student as they advance through grade levels. You may know these tests […]

Here’s a wonderful video from Storyline Online for Library Lion read by Mindy Sterling. This video that allows children to listen to the book being read along with the visuals from the books. Not only will your child love it but you’ll enjoy it too!  Please like and share with your friends. Written by: Michelle […]

Parents of school age children across the country are all too familiar with the concept of test prep, including for the STAR test. However, each test brings with it a specific set of tested skills, facts and comprehension. the STAR test is no different. Several components to into selecting the best and most appropriate practice […]

Taking standardized math exams by state is common nowadays. In fact, no high school student graduates without taking state exams especially if he or she is enrolled in a public school. Some exams are given to measure the learning abilities of students and are used mainly for assessment while there are those that contribute a […]

The State Standards Initiative represents a new way of teaching standardized tests in the United States. The goal of the Initiative is to create a nationwide, agreed-upon set of educational standards. These standards can then be used to test children at every grade level, ensuring that each student in the country is receiving the same […]

For most parents, the summer slide is the last thing on their mind when the weather finally turns warmer. The vast majority of parents are more focused on barbecues, vacations, and sleepaway camps than they are on the dangers of letting their kids’ minds take a break over the summer. Unfortunately, there is danger lurking […]

Virtually every parent with school age children has become familiar with the process of prepping for standardized tests. The common core tests are no different. Although they represent a relatively new development in education and standardized testing, the common core tests require just as much prep work as past tests. Study Materials Since the common […]

Canada test prep is its own animal, yet similar to test prep in other countries. Throughout North America, standardized testing has become a part of regular student life. Parents of school age children are equally familiar with the process due to the large amount of at-home testing preparation required. Here, we’ll review some test preparation […]

Many parents ask us what the California Modified Assessment, or CMA, is. In the state of California, the accepted assessment of school progress is the STAR test, otherwise known as the Standardized Testing and Reporting examination. In order to remain in accordance with the guidelines set forth by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) […]

The ITBS® test, or Iowa Test of Basic Skills®, is a test given to children who are applying to advanced programs or schools, or who are being measured for some other academic purpose. Many parents don’t want to prepare their child for the ITBS test, either because they don’t believe in it or they don’t […]

Parents these days are always looking for online math practice – for so many different reasons! Math is one of the subject areas in school that students find difficulty in. That’s because it requires critical thinking, constant practice, and most importantly, patience. If you’re someone who struggles with numbers, you can stay ahead with regular […]

Many parents find themselves looking for Common Core math practice questions. Although the common core testing battery places a large focus on English language arts (ELA), it also tests history, math and science. These subjects often seem confusing at first, since ELA comprehension questions are integrated throughout. However, math practice questions and tests can help […]

Parents across the country regularly prepare for the CogAT test and are often stumped as to where to find questions for this test. The Cognitive Abilities Test is required for entry into many competitive Gifted and Talented programs and private schools, so many parents begin preparing for the test early – sometimes as early as […]

This article briefly explains how to identity a gifted child. There are many areas a child may be gifted (i.e. music, art, sports) but being gifted in academics is the easiest to measure when it comes to a very young child.  A group IQ test or an IQ test given by a trained psychologist are […]

Many parents write in to us asking about the summer learning loss. This phenomenon, also called the summer slide or summer slump, is a real and detrimental problem for kids across the country. The summer learning loss can be detrimental to even the smartest students. On average, students lose 3 months of progress that they […]

Recently, some confusion has arisen regarding the terms ‘STAR test’ and ‘CA Common Core’ and how they’re related. These terms can actually refer to one of two distinctly different forms of standardized testing. Here, we’ll briefly explore each test. CA Common Core One of the tests commonly referred to as the CA Common Core is […]

If you’re looking for state test practice questions, you’re probably very familiar with the process of standardized test prep. Many parents, however, have become slightly confused regarding state test practice question. This is due, in part, to the state-specific nature of the Common Core tests, as well as the different subjects tested at varying grade […]

The STAAR test or State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness is a statewide assessment tool conducted to public schools throughout Texas. Compared with previous tests like the TAKS test, the STAAR examination aims to measure the performance of students in every core subject areas. Thankfully, there are some helpful resources for the STAAR test […]

The ELA Common Core represents a new era of standardized testing in the United States. State common core tests can vary, based on each state’s option to reject or accept the common core. Here, we’ll review the common core itself and how you can help your child prepare for this new testing battery. What is […]

There are many reasons parents homeschool their children. You can download our complete Homeschool Survival Guide here. Please note: there are mentions of Common Core in this guide for those homeschool parents who do plan to eventually send their child back into the public schools. Here are just a few of the reasons parents homeschool: […]

Having been used state-wide since 1998, the California achievement test is known by several names, including the STAR exam, STAR test and the Standardized Testing and Reporting examination. The goal of the California achievement test is simple – quality education for all students. The test attempts to achieve this goal by testing students on an annual […]

There are so many signs of a gifted child and this article will shed light on many of those signs and what it actually means for a boy or girl to be gifted. The traditional way to measure whether a child is gifted or not is from an IQ test. Here’s the breakdown on where […]

When faced with an upcoming ELA standardized test, every parent’s natural instinct is to help their child prepare. Today’s academic environment is much more competitive than in years past, and standardized testing is a huge part of each students success or failure. While many regard them as annoying or too frequent, there’s no way around […]

There are many places to find practice questions for the OLSAT test and sites like Tests.com have consolidated the list for everyone! As you know, the OLSAT test is given around the country and in spots like New York City for the admission to the uber competitive gifted and talented program that starts in Kindergarten. The […]

If your child is facing an upcoming state performance review or other type of standardized test, you’re undoubtedly concerned over helping them perform to their highest abilities. You’re not alone – the vast majority of parents of school age children put a great deal of effort into standardized testing prep. With so many standardized tests, […]

If you make every learning experience in your classroom fun, even math lessons, students will become more interested and motivated to join in class discussions and activities and at the same time to study harder. Many students find math lessons boring and difficult but that’s because teachers use the wrong strategies. Indeed, we can say […]

If you’ve become curious about this relative newcomer in the world of standardized testing, common core, you’re not alone. It seems as though each year, students are faced with yet another battery of standardized tests. As a result, students, parents and teachers have begun to question their true purpose. In addition, there’s no getting around […]

When children do tell you the truth about something – they broke a vase because they were playing basketball in the house and they’re not allowed to do that – they tell you it. Instead of getting upset about them doing something they shouldn’t have done in the house, take a moment to say, “I’m […]

The CogAT, the Cognitive Abilities Test, is the cognitive test that is used across the country in different school districts to help identify gifted children for Gifted and Talented programs. The CogAT test is not an intelligence test or an achievement test. The CogAT test is a cognitive test, which means that it tests reasoning […]

When it comes to having a good family and raising great kids wouldn’t you love to have a magic pill that you could just give your kids, and presto they would do better in school. They would have closer relationships at home. They’d be healthier and protected from things like alcohol, smoking and drug use, […]

  Virtually all parents of school age children in the US and many other countries are familiar with standardized tests. In fact, many parents, teachers and students alike have begun to feel as though each new school years brings with it a new standardized test which requires special preparation  While the ideal of tests by […]

Of all the skills you’ll teach your children over the years, reading is one of the most important. This is true for a variety of reasons. Academically, children who are enthusiastic and proficient readers consistently out-perform their peers, even in subjects that have little or nothing to do with reading. Outside of school, children who […]

Getting your kids’ attention can be very difficult especially when you are teaching math. Not only is the subject least loved by most kids but it also requires a great deal of strategy to be able to teach the different math concepts creatively. Nevertheless, here are some ideas in teaching math lessons effectively and less […]

In place since 1998, the Standardized Testing and Reporting exam, commonly known as the STAR exam or STAR test, is a method of testing school age children. It tests learned knowledge and is not considered an intelligence test. Rather, it seeks to indicate whether or not students are properly absorbing and comprehending the materials being […]

Although it is not a major part of the common core, health is still a critical subject and will continue to be taught in the United States, regardless of each state’s decision on the common core testing battery. As in years past, each state will set its own requirements regarding which subjects are taught and […]

Like any standardized test, your child’s performance on the common core battery can be enhanced through the use of  at-home study materials. Here, we’ll review the varieties of study materials available to help your child prepare for the common core by subject and as a whole. Created Questions Since the common core is based on […]

Thanks for attending the webinar: How to Prepare Your Child for Testing. We hope you enjoyed it! As promised here are your free e-book and Parents Tip Sheet! Parents Tip Sheet (click here) Tips from Parents Whose Kids Scored In the 97th Percentile or Higher!  Testing Survival Guide E-book (click here) – In this guide, we will explain the […]

Although parents of school age children in the US and around the world are all to familiar with the world of standardized exams, the relatively new State Standards Initiative Common Core tests have confused many. The confusion stems from the fact that standardized exams by state may be different. Here, we’ll review the facts and […]

Created by a collaboration between the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) and the National Governors Association (NGA), the English Language Arts and Literacy tests are designed to prepare high school students and those in lower grades for life after high school. The test battery was created with some very specific goals in mind.  […]

Regardless of your child’s age, it’s never too early to get them interested and engaged in the exciting world of engineering. Engineering materials for kids are easy to find. Many of them are in your home already! Here, we’ll explore the important of interesting young children in engineering as well as provide a like to […]

Even in school districts where gifted and talented entrance requirements have come under fire as being discriminatory, the one shining beacon is the Naglieri Test. This test is called the Nagliei Non-Verbal Ability Test, and shortened to NNAT. Why is this? Essentially, it’s the culturally unbiased approach of the Naglieri test that makes it a […]

Thanks for attending our webinar! We hope you enjoyed it. As promised here are your two free e-books! Kindergarten Readiness Survival Guide E-book (click here) If you have a preschooler who will be assessed in the future for gifted and talented or private school admissions, you’ll want to be sure that he has all the […]

Have you noticed that your child has been lying more than normal? Some children will lie in a general way about all sorts of things because they’ve learned that the strategy is an effective strategy. They’ve maybe gotten away with it for a while without the adults noticing and they’ve learned, “Hey, I can do […]

If you or your child’s teacher believes that your child is gifted, there are many advanced-placement, gifted and talented programs out there. These programs are a huge help to gifted students. Not only do they get to experience a classroom full of students on their own level, but they will be challenged by their lessons. […]

If you think being a high school student is all about having a good time then you’re obviously mistaken. Students in today’s time are burdened with academic and co-curricular activities which aim to make them better individuals and help them reach their ambitions in life. In Texas, getting a good score in the STAAR test […]

Many parents wonder about why they should prepare their child for kindergarten testing. They think that kindergarten testing is supposed to be about your child’s natural ability and they do not want this preparation to skew the test results and not reflect your child’s natural ability. But parents have to think about all of the […]