Self-study for 7th and 8th graders

ridethewave
Wed, 26 Sep 2012 16:28:06 +0000

CTScoutMom:
“It’s great that your kids did well on the ACT - but they didn’t do THAT well. The students you refer to who claimed these exams were easy, and they only studied a week often did so after taking the class! Those that self-studied often did so after already mastering the art of taking AP tests, and are scoring far above a 24 on the ACT. A 24 in 7th grade suggests that he will do very well when he takes it again in HS, but it hasn’t happened yet. How will he end up doing well then? By living his life now!”

This is an important point. High-school juniors and seniors scoring a 24 on the ACT probably are not taking very many APs. The students on here who are taking as many APs as they can find also are scoring well over 30 on the ACT, I’d be willing to bet. When EvD’s kids are in high school, odds are they also will score comfortably over 30 on the ACT, and they will be ready to take on multiple APs each year.

I think EvD is misinterpreting reactions on this thread. With very few exceptions, the best way to prepare for college is not to take APs in middle school. Laying the groundwork for excelling in high school makes more sense – read, read, read. And the reasoning that not wanting to take APs in middle school = lack of motivation and desire to help the family is flawed.

I do know a (very) few students who have taken AP exams earlier in their academic careers. The ones I know I have unusual needs that are not met in a standard school situation. For example: My son took his first APs at thirteen and did well; he was twelve when he took the ACT, and scored a 35.