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Any older HOD kids that have taken PSAT or SAT?

Posted: Tue May 29, 2012 8:55 am
by intotheirhearts
My husband is wondering if any of the older children in HOD have taken the PSAT or SAT yet and how have they done? Yes, I realize that testing is only one way to see how a child has learned, but to my husband it is important as that can determine some college scholarships.

Thanks

Re: Any older HOD kids that have taken PSAT or SAT?

Posted: Tue May 29, 2012 10:31 am
by LynnH
Since most dc don't take those tests until 11th grade I imagine there are only one or 2 that have used HOD for any length of time that would have taken those at this point. I think even Carrie's oldest is only going to be a junior.

My dd has taken both and the ACT, but she hasn't used HOD. Just want to make sure you realize that the PSAT and SAT do not cover Science or History. Only Math, Reading Comprehension and Language Arts skills. If you find people who have used Rod and Staff all the way that would give you some indication for the Language Part of the test. Looking at all the practice test etc I can't imagine that they wouldn't do very well. The ACT has science, but it is not about how much science do you know. My dd said it felt like a reading comprehension test because you were more reading a passage and then pulling information out of it and then also using scientific reasoning to figure out graphs and charts. She said they purposefully used examples that were very abstract an that most people would know nothing about because they wanted to see your reasoning skills. HOD does really emphasize this type of science learning and not just memorizing facts and dates etc.

Re: Any older HOD kids that have taken PSAT or SAT?

Posted: Tue May 29, 2012 1:06 pm
by intotheirhearts
Ah, that's true. Should look at how Rod & Staff kiddos do on the SATs, etc. And yes, I know it is just math and english. My husband said that if you take the PSAT in 10th grade that your results on that is what can help determine certain scholarships that are given based on the PSAT. That is why I asked about any kids that possibly took the PSAT.

Where would I find info about Rod & Staff and how they do on PSATs/SATs, etc?

Re: Any older HOD kids that have taken PSAT or SAT?

Posted: Tue May 29, 2012 1:07 pm
by intotheirhearts
Let me add, I have no doubts. But my husband has questions. I am sure that since the Austin's are looking to fiver their sons a great foundation in grammar so they can go on to study greek and hebrew, then I am sure the English in HOD is superb. My husband would enjoy some facts though. :-)

Re: Any older HOD kids that have taken PSAT or SAT?

Posted: Tue May 29, 2012 1:45 pm
by LynnH
The only scholarships that are given based on the PSAT are the National Merit Scholarships and the only scores that count towards that are ones when they take it in 11th grade. They can take it in 10th but those scores don't count towards the National Merit Scholarship. The other thing to remember is the number of kids that actually get National Merit Scholarships is very, very small. Colleges give most of their scholarships based on SAT or ACT scores.
You could go to a more general homeschooling board and ask there about kids that have used Rod and Staff and how they did.