best nyc guide books
Saturday, September 24th, 2011
Bright Kids NYC OLSAT Workbook Review
Bright Kids NYC offers a test prep workbook that get children ready to take the OLSAT test for admissions to gifted and talented or GATE programs. Their workbook offers 200 practice questions, covering all sections of the OLSAT. It sells for $89 + shipping.
Here is what I like about their product:
* It is comprehensive. Each section in the workbook offers plenty of practice questions that range from easy to hard (just like the test itself).
* It is divided into two workbooks. The first is a parent’s guide that gives you a script to follow in asking the questions. The second is a question-filled workbook that your child will use. It is easy to navigate the various sections and questions in these workbooks.
* The price – $89 plus shipping. This is in line with other test prep products on the market. Still, if you decide to buy this, you might want to share it with a friend. Just have your child point to the answer and the workbook can easily be shared.
* The questions accurately reflect the types of questions that are on the actual test so practicing with them should be an effective way to prepare your child.
Here is what I don’t like about the product:
* The questions use black and white clip art that is boring and unattractive. It gets the job done, but is fairly dull. On the other hand, the real test uses boring black and white art, so this is good practice.
* I did questions from this book with 5-year-old volunteers. Both kids were fairly engaged with the questions and tried to do their best. The questions use black and white clip art and they are rather hard. So I won’t kid you. If your child has a low tolerance for school-like activities, you may have to help him build up his tolerance for this.
Bottom Line: This is an accurate, reasonably priced, comprehensive resource. If you buy it, don’t overdo it. The boring artwork and difficulty of many of the questions makes it hard for young kids to focus for too long. 15 minutes a day should be plenty. You don’t want your child to be sick of these types of questions by the time he’s tested. If you are deciding between this product and those offered by Kindergarten Test Study System (KTSS), Arrington Publishing, or Critical Thinking Company, I’d recommend this one or KTSS. KTSS is $60 and Bright Kids NYC is $89, but if you prefer a workbook to 7 individual folders, this product is for you. In my opinion, either of these products are more effective prep for the OLSAT than Arrington Publishing’s practice test booklets or the Critical Thinking Company’s OLSAT Test Bundle.
The Bright Kids NYC OLSAT workbook can be purchased at www.brightkidsnyc.com.
To see reviews of other kindergarten test prep materials available to get children ready for private school admissions testing, gifted and talented program qualification, and public school ability group placement, visit www.kindergartentestingwithouttears.com.
About the Author
Karen Quinn is the author of Testing For Kindergarten, a parent’s guide to getting your child ready for ERB, Stanford-Binet, WPPSI-III, OLSAT or other IQ tests for private school admission and GATE or gifted and talented program qualification. She is a former kindergarten admissions advisor from NYC and is the inventor of IQ Fun Park, an IQ test prep kit (that feels like play) for children ages 3 to 6. Visit her at www.testingforkindergarten.com.
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