How do you choose ISEE or SSAT preparation for an eighth grader when the private-school shortlist is still changing?
We're looking at a few private high schools and I haven't finished checking what each one wants. My 13-year-old is willing to do some prep, but I don't want to buy two courses because I'm disorganized. What order would you sort the school list and test questions in?
I'd make a little table from each school's current admissions instructions before picking a course. Required test, accepted alternatives, deadline and who to contact if unclear. A tutor's general statement wouldn't be enough for me to spend the money.
Don't let the first prep company you call choose the school list for you. I'd narrow the actual options, then ask what preparation is needed for those applications. Otherwise every possible test starts to sound essential.
I'd tell your child that changing the list isn't wasted work or a failure to decide. You're checking fit. That might make it easier to do a small amount of targeted preparation while you finish the research.