What is it?
- SCAT is the School and College Ability Test
- Multiple-choice, standardized test
- Administered by the Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth (CTY)
- Assesses math and verbal reasoning abilities among gifted children
- It is an above-grade-level test, assessing students at a higher grade level than the one they are in at the time the test is administered, eg 2nd-3rd grade students take a test designed for 4th-6th grade students
- Scores remain valid until students reach the next level (i.e. from elementary to intermediate, or from intermediate to advanced)
Levels – Elementary, Intermediate, Advanced
There are 3 levels of CTY SCAT – Elementary, Intermediate, Advanced
- Elementary SCAT – for current 2nd and 3rd grade students (the test is designed for 4th-6th graders, scored in comparison to 4th and 5th graders)
- Intermediate SCAT – for current 4th and 5th grade students (the test is designed for 6th-9th graders, scored in comparison to 6th-9th graders)
- Advanced SCAT – for current 6th-8th graders (the test is designed for 9th-12th graders, scored in comparison to 9th – 12th graders)
How is the SCAT scored?
The scoring is section-specific and is scored through a combination of both a raw and scaled scoring system.
Raw Score – calculated by tallying the total number of questions answered correctly out of the 50 scored questions.
Scaled Score – Converted into a common scaled score. This enables administrators to compare various scores to each other. Scaled scores range from 400 to 514, and are converted into SCAT Score Percentiles.
How each grade is scored
- 2nd graders are compared to 4th graders.
- 3rd graders are compared to 5th graders.
- 4th graders are compared to 6th graders.
- 5th graders are compared to 8th graders.
- 6th graders are compared to 9th graders.
- 7th graders are compared to 12th graders.
- 8th graders are compared to 12th graders.
How to be accepted?
Scores needed to be accepted to the Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth (CTY) program:
| Grade | Quantitative | Verbal |
| 2 | 435 | 430 |
| 3 | 440 | 435 |
| 4 | 450 | 440 |
| 5 | 465 | 445 |
| 6 | 470 | 450 |
Format & Results
- 2 sections: Verbal and Quantitative
- Multiple choice questions
- Computer-based
- Each section includes 55 questions, out of which five are experimental questions that are not counted towards the student’s final score
- Duration – under an hour: each section is 22 minutes long, with an optional 10 minute break in between the two
- Results – received in 48 hours
1. Verbal (50 questions, 22 minutes)
- Assess a student’s verbal reasoning and vocabulary skills
- 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.
Elementary Sample Question
Shoe : foot
A) Glove : hand
B) Coat : hat
C) Buckle : belt
D) Eye : face
Intermediate Sample Question
Weary : sleep
A) Thirst : water
B) Tired : food
C) Pillow : bed
D) Dark : night
Advanced Sample Question
Alphabet : letter
A) Novel : mystery
B) Synthesis : opinion
C) Orchestra : instrument
D) Data : quantity
2. Quantitative (50 questions, 22 minutes)
- Assess a student’s comprehension of number operations and mathematical reasoning
- Multiple choice mathematical comparisons, consisting of two quantities, of which students must determine which is greater than the other
Elementary Sample Question
A if the part in Column A is greater
B if the part in Column B is greater
C if the two parts are equal
One half hour 30 minutes
Intermediate Sample Question
A if the part in Column A is greater
B if the part in Column B is greater
C if the two parts are equal
D if not enough information is given for you to decide.
A whole number that is greater than 23
A whole number that is less than 24
Advanced Sample Question
29 days Number of days in Month k
Ampla’s CTY SCAT Preparation Courses
Following our initial assessment, students will receive a customized plan based on the following curriculum which is designed to imitate the CTY SCAT test.
Verbal Skills
- Develop vocabulary base
- Enhance knowledge about word roots (e.g. suffixes and prefixes) in order to figure out relationships between different words (e.g. synonyms and analogies)
Maths Skills
- Practice mental arithmetic
- Master fundamental concepts from algebra to geometry
- Strengthen ability to answer complicated questions tactically
- Become familiar with a range of different types of questions
Ampla’s SCAT Course Highlights
- 24/7 on-demand tutoring with our experienced team of test prep specialists
- Flexible scheduling: online/ face-to-face/ home tutoring lessons available
- Tailor-made lesson plan complemented by weekly timed quizzes and progress reports
Strategic Plan
A week-by-week study plan specifically designed for you.
Targeted Approach
Review each topic with a focus on weaker areas, with condensed notes and study materials provided.
Practical Skills
Cover test-taking strategies including time management, making informed guesses and how to handle stress.
Exam Drill
Familiarize with different exam styles/ techniques/ mark schemes through practice papers.
Complimentary Consultation
Contact us now to schedule a mock test and arrange a complimentary meeting with our dedicated US school specialists.
