The Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth (CTY) is a world leader in gifted education, dedicated to identifying exceptional students and providing them with the tools to reach their potential. To identify gifted students, the CTY administers the School and College Ability Test (SCAT). High SCAT scores are crucial for acceptance. Learn more about:
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The School and College Ability Test (SCAT) is a multiple-choice, standardized test administered by the Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth (CTY). It is an above-grade level test which assesses math and verbal reasoning abilities among gifted children. Once your child takes the SCAT, scores remain valid until s/he reaches the next level (i.e. from elementary to intermediate, or from intermediate to advanced).
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An above-grade-level test assesses students at a higher grade level than the one they are in at the time the test is administered. For example, 2nd-3rd grade students take a test designed for 4th-6th grade students.
Free SCAT Practice Resources |
SCAT Elementary Sample Test |
SCAT Intermediate Sample Test |
SCAT Advanced Sample Test |
The SCAT is scored through a combination of both a raw and scaled scoring system. The scoring is section-specific.
Raw Score. The raw score is calculated by tallying the total number of questions answered correctly out of the 50 scored questions.
Scaled Score. The raw score is converted into a common scaled score. This enables administrators to compare various scores to each other. Scaled scores range from 400 to 514, according to the test version. Scaled scores are finally converted into SCAT Score Percentiles.
Find out what score your child needs to be accepted to the JHU CTY programs.
There are three different levels of the CTY SCAT:
The SCAT is made up of two sections, including quantitative reasoning and verbal reasoning:
The quantitative reasoning section on the SCAT assesses a student’s comprehension of number operations and mathematical reasoning. This section includes multiple choice mathematical comparisons, consisting of two quantities, of which students must determine which is greater than the other.
The SCAT verbal section assesses a student’s verbal reasoning and vocabulary skills. This section includes multiple choice verbal analogy questions, consisting of two words that go together in a certain way, followed by four pairs of words (the answer choices). Students need to select the pair of words with the same relationship as the first two words to best complete the analogy.
The SCAT test has two sections: Verbal and Quantitative. Each section includes 55 questions, out of which five are experimental questions that are not counted towards the student’s final score. Each section is 22 minutes long, with an optional 10 minute break in between the two.
Which column is bigger?
Wrong
Wrong
Correct!
Wrong
The correct answer is C.
To solve this question we can compare the components of the expressions in each column. The first number in column A (78) is bigger by 1 from the first number in column B (77). The second number in column A (15) is smaller by 1 from the second number in column B (16). Therefore we can see the total of both numbers in column A and in column B are the same.
Another way to solve this question is to add the numbers in each column. In column A, 78+15= 93, in column B, 77+16 = 93. Therefore, the part in column A is the same as the part in column B, and the correct answer is C, the two parts are equal.
Which column is bigger?
Correct!
Wrong
Wrong
Wrong
The correct answer is (A). Looking at the coordinate graph, the coordinate is in the fourth quadrant, in which 𝑥 is a positive number, and 𝑦 is a negative number. Therefore, without knowing the exact values of 𝑥 and 𝑦, we can see that the part in column A (a positive number) is greater than the part in column B (a negative number), and the correct answer is A.
The given pair of words is related to each other in a certain way. Choose the pair of words that is related to each other in the same way.
Counselor : advice ::
Correct!
Wrong
Wrong
Wrong
The correct answer is: benefactor : aid.
A counselor provides advice as a benefactor provides aid.
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In order to succeed on the SCAT, it is important to set aside time and practice with TestPrep-Online. Help your child start preparing for the Elementary SCAT Test for 2nd and 3rd graders, the Intermediate SCAT Test for 4th and 5th graders, or the Advanced SCAT Test for 6th-8th graders so s/he can be confident and ready to succeed on the day of the test.
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Since 1992, TestPrep-Online has helped individuals prepare for all kinds of tests. From entrance exams into gifted programs, to assessment tests, and graduate assessment and placement tests, TestPrep-Online can help you prepare and pass.