Manhattan parents have been registering their four-year-olds for the new ERB test called the AABL. If you have not already checked out the kindergarten demonstration video on the ERB website, take a look. The tasks are challenging.
If your child will be applying to Collegiate, Horace Mann, Riverdale, or Avenues, here are some tips to help your child succeed on the ERB / AABL test:
-Your child will take the ERB / AABL test in a room with up to five children and one proctor. Have your child practice using the iPad while wearing and listening to instructions on regular headphones, not earbuds.
-Practice on apps that specifically target areas on the ERB / AABL test:
- Sit with your child while he or she interacts with the apps so your child can explain responses to you, and you can learn where your child is finding success and where your child needs more support.
- On the ERB / AABL test, your child will need to “drag” items across the iPad when responding to questions and “tap” answers. The mix of apps below will allow your child to practice both movements.
- Encourage your child to look at all the pictures before choosing a response – a life-long important test-taking strategy.
Apps to Try
Little Solver – Preschool Logic Game – These analogies reveal questions involving classification, change in size, change in quantity, mirror image, change in color, animal associations, etc. Sometimes the size of the pictures can be confusing (e.g., the fish might not seem to fit into the fishbowl, but the fishbowl is the correct response), and questions can become repetitive. You can track your child’s progress and adjust the level accordingly.
Different Roads to Learning: What Goes Together – Your child will match pictures that go together from a choice of two (easy) or three (more difficult) items.
Brain-Go! – What Does Not Belong? Your son or daughter will drag incorrect items into a garbage can. There are ten questions at ten different levels. Five pictures will appear, and one does not belong with the others. Encourage your child to verbally explain WHY the picture does not belong and what the other choices have in common.
Bright Kids NNAT2 – Your child will practice visual reasoning and logic through puzzles.
“Bag Game” / What’s in the Bag? – There are many relevant pictures to choose from. There is no need to bother with the questions along the right-hand side of the screen; simply provide your own clues for each other until your opponent guesses what is in the bag.
Figural Analogies by Bright Kids – This app can help improve analytical reasoning skills while practicing figural analogies.
Qwizful HD: Prep quiz your wiz kids – This app works on shapes and numbers through analogies, sequencing, vocabulary, and telling time.
Remember, admission to Manhattan private kindergarten is not solely about the ERB / AABL test. There are many additional skills your child needs to demonstrate. Please read through my blogs to find out more.
If you live on the Upper East Side of Manhattan and are interested in kindergarten prep, please contact me, Stephanie Sigal, at sayandplay@yahoo.com. Good luck!