How to Read a SCAT Test Score?

Children learn and adapt to new lessons at their own pace. You cannot compare one child to another. SCAT test is for gifted children who have above average intelligence and often do not feel challenged with the school curriculum.

SCAT stands for School and College Ability Test and is conducted by Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth (JHCTY). It presents ample learning opportunities for gifted children by identifying special abilities and allowing taking some of the most well-designed courses at JHCTY. These courses are taught by subject matter experts and the brightest teachers in the country.

SCAT tests verbal and quantitative skills. This test comes across as challenging because students are expected to know more than their desired grade level. If a grade 2-3 student wants to take SCAT, they have to prepare for a test designed for grades 5 and 6. This makes the SCAT unique.

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Now, why should someone take this test? You should take this test to be identified as gifted and to become a part of some of the most sought-after gifted programs in the country. This test can expand your horizon like no other test and will brighten your academic future.

John Hopkins is a very prestigious university. It offers many such opportunities to children that enhance their growth curve. Its special programs better their existing skills and prepare them for future challenges.

Students can ace SCAT with proper preparation and a lot of practice. All you need is a strategic study plan and excellent guidance.

The SCAT test is divided into two sections. The verbal part tests students’ understanding of the language. The higher the level, the more difficult it gets. The quantitative part has number operations. Each part has to be solved in 22 minutes. Although the entire process takes 90 minutes, the test itself can be done in an hour or so.

Students can also take an optional 10 minutes break. Just like the test, the scoring pattern is also unique. Students are asked 55 questions in each section. Thus, a total of 110 questions are asked in SCAT.

SCAT score is different for students at different levels. It ranges from 400 to 515 (section-wise), depending on which level the student is. For scoring, SCAT has three levels – elementary, intermediate, and advanced. Each level follows its scoring system. For example, at the elementary level, the verbal section ranges from 401 to 471. And the quantitative section carries some 412 to 475 marks.

Now, let’s talk about how does a student gets scored in SCAT? And what is a good score? Since SCAT tests students with concepts from higher grades, the comparison of scores is also made accordingly.

SCAT percentile is calculated based on how well a student has done compared to the average children of the respective higher grades. So, the student’s SCAT percentile is based on the average score of the higher grade. But apart from that, SCAT also follows a raw scoring pattern and scaled score.

As the name suggests, a raw score is the number of correct answers given by the student out of all the questions. So, for example, if a student’s score is 45 in one section, it means that out of 50 questions, he/she has answered 45 correctly.

On the other hand, a scaled score is a comparison of a student’s performance with other people at the same level. JHCTY has a limited number of seats, and only the top scorers get placed there. However, everybody gets a certificate of participation.

Thus, now that you know what the structure of SCAT looks like, what are you waiting for? This test will improve your learning curve and might open the door to several academic opportunities. Even if you are not looking for special programs, preparing for the test will definitely have a positive impact on your future.