Are children expected to prep for the OLSAT? Isn it just an IQ test?
The OLSAT is not an IQ test, but rather a test of cognitive ability, and as such, it is quite easy to improve a child’s chances for success on the OLSAT through practice. The New York City Department of Education, which uses the OLSAT to determine placement into the Gifted and Talented program does not place any restrictions on preparation, so parents are free to take advantage of whatever materials are available to them. Personally, we believe that while standardized testing is not the best way to assess individual ability or intelligence, it is nevertheless a part of our educational system. Therefore, parents and students should prep whenever prep is possible. For an exam like the OLSAT, or any other test administered to very young children, the main purpose of prep is to familiarize the child with the kinds of questions that they need to expect, to improve their concentration and to give them the confidence to do their best. Our “Cognitive Skills for Kindergarten and First Grade” bo
