SCAT Intermediate (4th-5th Grade) Practice & Test Guidance

About the 4th-5th Grade Intermediate SCAT

4th and 5th grade students take the Intermediate SCAT Test, an above-grade-level-test, in order to gain admissions to the Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth (CTY) program. The SCAT scores of 4th graders are compared to a general 6th grade level and the scores of 5th graders are compared to a general 8th grade level. For more information, check out SCAT Registration FAQs.

Note that once your child has taken the intermediate SCAT exam once, s/he will most likely not be required to take the exam again, until s/he reaches the next level (i.e. advanced), which makes it even more imperative to be prepared come test day.

SCAT Intermediate Format & Content

As in the case of both the Elementary and Advanced SCAT Tests, the Intermediate SCAT is made out of two sections- verbal and quantitative. Each section has 55 multiple-choice questions, five of which are experimental. The range of scaled scores varies between the two sections, with 419-506 for the quantitative section and 405-482 for the verbal section.

Students must complete each section within a time frame of 22 minutes for each portion, and a 10-minute break in the middle.

The SCAT Intermediate Quantitative Section tests the student’s abilities in math. The questions are presented as comparisons of two mathematical concepts, from which students must choose the greater. The difference between SCAT Intermediate math testing and many other forms of gifted math testing is that there is almost no calculation involved. In fact, most of the questions require recognizing the quantity of a specific equation by sight alone.

The SCAT Intermediate Verbal Section evaluates students’ vocabulary strength and verbal reasoning ability. Each question provides a student with a pair of words that relate to each other in a certain way. An example of this can be “Baby : Crib”. Students must then choose a pair of words from the answer options given with the most similar relation. For example, “Chick : Nest”. 

10 Prepping Tips for the SCAT Intermediate Test

Preparing for any gifted children test can be daunting. Luckily, TestPrep-Online is here to help! Here are ten tips for both you and your child to help lead you in the right direction:

• Provide a tangible goal. Sometimes, when a difficult task is before you, it’s hard to see the endpoint, let alone stay positive about it. This is true for everyone, but especially young children. Don’t forget to remind your child why you’re doing this. Remember to add an element to your reminder that can motivate them as well.
• Consult the instructors. No one knows your child’s academic abilities better than his or her teachers. Take the time to book a meeting with your child’s math and English instructors to get a feel for where his or her strengths lie. By taking their input into consideration, you will be able to better understand how to structure your study plan, and where to put your greatest efforts.
• Keep your studying limits reasonable. Some topics may take more time than others. As a result, you may find yourself taking a longer time working on them. While this is a logical approach, keep in mind that covering everything might not always be possible. Instead, give yourself a limit to how much time you give each topic.
• Eat right, sleep right. No matter how organized your study schedule is or how clear your goals are, none of the benefits will show if your child can’t properly process the information. Don’t forget to make sure your child is getting the right sources of energy to carry out the studying necessary to succeed. Remember to include nutritious snacks (examples include nuts, fruits, and unprocessed foods), as well as a proper sleep schedule (the recommended amount of time is 9-11 hours).
• Have fun. Unfortunately, boredom is the cousin of pattern and routine. To avoid this detrimental side effect, your child will need something fun to remain focused and excited to learn. Don’t be afraid to make things more entertaining by adding interactive activities into your studying routine, and maybe even prizes. Baking, sports, and scavenger hunts are some of the many activities you can choose from.
• Encourage question asking. A great way to keep your child active in the learning process is to encourage plenty of question asking. This will motivate him or her to pay attention, as s/he will have to find topics to ask about.
• Keep it varied. Remember to vary both studying locations and  material. Many recommend not studying a topic for more than two hours at a time
• Take breaks. Regular breaks are an essential tool for ensuring optimal performance. Breaks have been shown to improve focus and information absorption.
• Practice with practice tests. To really help your child become accustomed to the testing format, we suggest utilizing practice tests. Arguably the most important tip for practicing for an exam, this method will both familiarize your child with the format of the test and decrease the likelihood of testing anxiety. You can even start today! Try TestPrep-Online's Free Intermediate SCAT Sample Questions.

SCAT Intermediate Practice Test for the 4th & 5th Grade

To do as well as possible on the SCAT, your child must be as prepared as possible. Ideal preparation consists of study guides based on the material, plenty of practice questions, and a simulated testing environment.

TestPrep-Online currently offers child-friendly SCAT Practice Test packs for your 4th or 5th grader. Each pack comes with questions based on specific sections, and detailed explanations to follow. Plus, with our online accessibility, you can practice anytime, anywhere!

Looking for a different SCAT Practice Pack? Check out our other products! 

Not sure about our products? Try some free sample questions!