TJ Admission Process Dissected: The One Question Problem Solving Essay

The pivotal TJ Problem Solving Essay and what you must know about it? Have you ever taken a one problem test? They are not common because they are not good at testing your knowledge except on that single question. So why does TJ  admissions use a single multi-step problem and an associated essay to evaluate TJ applicants? 

The Problem Solving Essay is ostensibly used to eliminate all but the very best students. Unfortunately, the one question Problem Solving Essay, also eliminates those highly capable students who make one careless error or have a “bad day.” According to some news articles, TJ removed the TJ admission test, which had been in use for over 30 years because they were fearful that many students would underperform because they had a “bad day.”

My focus is not on analyzing TJ’s motive for relying solely on a single question Problem Solving Essay but it is on what you must know about the Problem Solving Essay so you don’t fall victim to the admission process. To rephrase, smart students with all A’s including an A in math, may get on the wait pool or get rejected if they make a careless error due to lack of proficiency, test anxiety, or nervousness.

So how can you prepare to conquer the single question Problem Solving Essay? The challenge may sound insurmountable but it is not. If you work with a teacher who has seen it all and who has not only helped hundreds of 8th graders prepare for TJ test but who has a thorough understanding of the multitude of math concepts that can be used to create the Problem Solving Essay question and who can judge the likelihood of whether most students who have completed Algebra I or Geometry can realistically solve the problem and complete the essay (TJ admissions is unlikely to assign a problem that at least 5-10% of the students can't solve). Such a teacher can reliably train you on all relevant math concepts and associated math problems that it is extremely unlikely that a problem will appear whose underlying concepts are unknown to you. For example, for the March 2021 test, all of Dr. Tripathi’s students have solved dozens if not more problems similar to the math question behind the problem solving essay essay on the March 2021 assessment.

Now to assess the practicality of correctly solving the question without any prep, realize that over the past five years there has been a growing trend throughout the region wherein most Algebra I, Algebra II and precalculus classes do not teach or train how to solve word problems; consequently most students getting an A in Algebra I or II do not sufficiently practice or even learn how to solve word problems. Next, understand that even those students who are able to solve word problems are often unable to do so quickly and therefore they find it nearly impossible to solve the problem and complete the essay within a 30 minute time limit. Anyone who aspires to do well on the math and/or science problem solving essay must ensure 1) sufficient proficiency in a wide range of math and science concepts and reasoning skills, 2) sufficient speed of problem solving so as to solve the problem and write the essay within allotted time, and 3) maintain sufficient calm and poise that test anxiety or nervousness would not affect his or her performance.

A Consumer's Guide to Selecting the Best TJ Student Portrait Sheet and Problem Saving Essay Prep Program

Updated August 2, 2021. Originally, this post was written in 2013. In view of the drastic changes to the TJ admission process. the post has been updated to include the critical requirements for the TJ PS and PSE.

An online search for TJ Prep shows dozens of programs. How is a parent to decide where to go for help?  This answer is created not only by a TJ Prep instructor of over twenty years experience but by a father of two TJ (TJHSST) graduates.  Your foremost objective should be to find the best program for your student. We suggest the following steps to make your final selection and your decision.

You should begin by conducting a survey of available programs on Google, Bing and Yahoo. Print a list then look at the quality of the teacher (not the business owner); if possible, see the teacher in action. Next, you should narrow your list by eliminating any TJ prep program which does not offer a no-cost, no-obligation assessment and a complimentary class. Finally, you should narrow your list further by eliminating programs which require you to pay for multiple classes in advance. A TJ prep program which, once enrolled, requires you to stay with it because you have paid a lot of money in advance may become a trap if your child does not like the program after some time, or if she does not make excellent progress. Your child should enjoy the learning and the motivating atmosphere created by a caring and dedicated instructor who loves to teach, who loves to bring out the best in your child by motivating her to try her best and excel, and who does not treat your child's education as secondary to any other objective.

Most importantly, you should choose a program that meets the following requirements:

1. Trains and teaches your student to solve any conceivable Math and/or science problem and create a Problem Solving Essay that is concise yet mathematically/scientifically accurate and rigorous.

2. Trains to your child to accomplish 1 with confidence and without anxiety in 30 minutes.

3. Train your child to create Student Portrait Sheet essays that reflect your student’s experience and ambitions in the best possible manner.