Is GAT Prep Needed? An ALTERNAITVE WAY of looking at it.

Research has shown that many children often fail to achieve a good IQ score due to temperamental difficulties rather than intellectual failings. Psychologists judged this to be true to a significant extent as they investigated the effect of emotional states on IQ scores.

In one study, kindergarten children were tested on their IQ, and then six months later, retested. There was a considerable improvement in IQ. The researchers concluded that the change had been due to anxiety or strangeness of the problems or both during the original test. Research has shown that practice in solving problems similar to those contained in an IQ test can make a big difference to the results. Thus, suggesting that it is the UNFAMILIARITY of the problems which suddenly confront them which throws them off balance. Henceforth, can an IQ test truly reflect a child's potential? And we should never forget the fact that some children warm very slowly to new tasks. It is then not their mental capabilities we are testing here.

Let's take the above and analogise it to the General Ability Test given to 12-year-old children when they have to apply for the direct school admission. For children who have never seen these questions prior the actual test, is it the anxiety or unfamiliarity that throws them off balance or are they simply unintellectual enough to do the test?

I am not advocating that all children should go for any prep classes. This is NOT my intention. In my opinion, the playing field for this GAT is not level, AND it is never going to be so. Isn't this the same for all kinds of academic pursuits - PSLE, O Level, IB programme, A Level, even in the University? Aren't almost all kids get prepped for all academic pursuits?

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