OLSAT^® preparation with Kindergarten Test Study System

Author's statement: Testimonials for versions of KTSS, 2007-2009

Every year after test scores and placement results were released, we got emails from parents thanking us for helping their child get a great score and/or get into a sought-after program.  When we got these emails, we generally told parents that KTSS familiarized their child with critical thinking skills so that they could overcome barriers to doing their best.  However, the child’s performance was all his or her own, and nobody but the child produced that score. 

The truth about test preparation-- all test preparation-- is that there’s no good evidence that it can significantly “get results,” or “gets kids in” to programs (Wall Street Journal, 5/20/09).  What test preparation can do, if it’s done appropriately, is overcome barriers that can prevent children from doing their best on a test.  In other words, you can think of test preparation as practice that can rid your child of handicaps that can mask his or her true ability.  Children may do better on tests than they otherwise would without preparation, but with appropriate test preparation, their performance cannot rise beyond their actual ability level. 

So, because we’ve no aspirations to mislead anyone, we’ve left out testimonials about “getting in” and have stuck with some that reveal parents’ reactions to KTSS itself: 

Wonderful!!  This system was perfect. It really prepared my daughter for the OLSAT- it helped her think about the questions and why each answer was the correct one. By the last packet, she was saying things like "I'm sticking with it." On the day of the test, she took 1 hour and 45 minutes to finish, while other children were in and out in 45 minutes. The proctor told me that she was giving elaborate explanations for each of her answers, which proved to me that she was really thinking each question through. Thanks!    ––Anonymous Parent Survey 2008

There is nothing as concise as KTSS for preparation for the OLSAT.  Working with this kit far exceeded my expectations.    –email, New York, NY, 2009  

This is a well-researched and thought-out system.  The adult’s script made me become “the best tutor in the world.”  All the stuff about persistence was a bit of a pain—but this is test prep after all—and it DID make my child “stick with it.”   This is all I could have asked for—and you’re a nice person to deal with by the way.    –Anonymous Parent Survey 2008    

I cannot tell you how reassuring it was to get straight talk about this test.  The instructions to parents alone was invaluable to me.  After we were done with the last KTSS folder, I had the feeling that I did the absolute best thing I could do before going into the test.  THANK YOU!!!!      –email, New York, NY, 2009  

I think the program was well structured and very helpful. My son did not enjoy it as much as other exercises (Brain Quest) but I believe it offered a very good level of preparation.     ––Anonymous Parent Survey 2008

I was very happy with the price and quality of the product. I do think the content of the prep packet is more advanced than questions presented on the real test. But overall, the packets familiarized my son with the expectations, format, and skills of the test which added to his confidence when taking it. One suggestion - on the test my son took he had to fill in small circles under the answer he chose. If this is standard protocol perhaps the circles should be added to the test packet, so that children don't get in the habit of circling the entire answer. Additionally, adding the circles can help to refine their fine motor skills. Thanks a lot.     ––Anonymous Parent Survey 2008  (after other similar suggestions, the current version of KTSS has answer circles)

Fantastic instructions that really helped us present the material properly and sensitively. A little more challenging than the actual test, which seems to me a plus.     ––Anonymous Parent Survey 2008

I’m a mother of twins and felt doomed from the start because I was sure that they wouldn’t listen to anything on a test.   Thank you so much for answering my emails and giving such accurate advice.  You and your kit helped my kids to the point that they listen and concentrate in a way I didn’t think was possible.     –email, Brooklyn, NY, 2009

This kit has shown me that my daughter really CAN listen to instructions—I’m so grateful that I found this resource.  This has been a cure for MY test anxiety.  EXCELLENT!     -email, Chicago, IL, 2009

I can’t believe how much this helped---- when my son took the test the teacher told me that he gave EXTENSIVE answers. Before doing KTSS, he wouldn’t do this, but KTSS really helped him explain things very well, and I can only think that this helped him do his best on the test.     ––Anonymous Parent Survey 2008

KTSS was very helpful to my 5 year old son - he stayed focused and actually listened when I had to read something to him - even though he has already taken the gifted and talented assessment test - he still wants to do the KTSS.     –Anonymous Parent Survey 2008

My son called it homework and looked forward to doing it every night!  He was upset when it was all done! If there are more, I would love to buy more in order to continue with the practice!  Thank you so much.    ––Anonymous Parent Survey 2008

Your KTSS is a brilliant idea, presented with professional excellence, and there's nothing else like it.    –email, New York, NY, 2009 

This kit was perfect-- fantastic instructions, easy to use, and clearly helped my son do his best on every type of question.  Thanks!     -email, New York, NY, 2009

This test prep was not one of the great joys of my life.  But it did the job.  My child LISTENS and DOES NOT EXPECT ME TO REPEAT MYSELF.  I was a psychology major in college, and see all kinds of subtle behavior psychology techniques throughout this.  This was interesting, but admittedly, not that enjoyable.    -Anonymous Parent Survey 2008

Thank you for providing the KTSS.  It was extremely helpful.  It's really something that I'll recommend to others next year. I felt like I was dealing with a real person who was trying to help me and not just some test prep book.  -email, Brooklyn, NY 2008

There were times that my son got discouraged, but there were times when he really seemed to "stick with it" and emerge victorious.  This is the spirit that I want him to have when he takes the test, and I don't know that working with any other workbook could do this for him.    -Anonymous Parent Survey 2008

I though that this had possibly too many questions.  But it did an excellent job familiarizing my child.  We didn't complete the whole thing, but I felt like we didn't need to.  It's good that you put the most important listening skills up front so that you make sure to get to it.  At first, I didn't get the connection of all the puppy and kitty stories to the actual test, but once I got into it with my child, I really saw that it worked.  I can very much understand how the things in your test prep can really help.  -Anonymous Parent Survey 2008