Should Your Child Take the NYC G&T Test?

posted by Karen Quinn, The Testing Mom - September 27th, 2014

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, there are obvious benefits of enrolling a child in the New York City gifted and talented program.

The first benefit is that they will get in-depth instruction in subjects that other kids’ classes may simply gloss over. Kids in gifted programs get to explore subjects that other students may never see, and they’ll emerge with an understanding of concepts that will serve them well in school and in their careers. Additionally, NYC kids in gifted programs will be with other bright, motivated kids, so the teacher’s attention won’t be on propping up kids who don’t understand the material or who are falling behind. Finally, kids in gifted programs will be motivated to do their best, since they’ll be surrounded by kids of above-average intelligence.

The best way to get ready for the NYC G&T test is to start preparing early. Take a look at some practice questions that are similar to those your child will find on the test and determine the skills that your child will need to develop to excel on the exam. Then, develop a plan and a schedule for practicing. Start with 5 to 10 minutes of practice per day. It’s important that your child doesn’t burn out too early, and building their attention span takes time. Eventually, move up to 15 minutes per day, then 20, then 25, until your child is accustomed to sitting for the amount of time that they’ll be in the testing room.

Additionally, make sure that you use a variety of practice materials so that your child doesn’t get bored. Use online practice questions, workbooks, interactive games, and whatever else you feel will be helpful for preparing your child! The more sources you use, the more engaged your child will be – and the better their chances for testing success.