Eligibility

• How can I arrange for eligibility testing?
• What courses will I be be eligible to take?
• What are the eligibility guidelines and scores I need to qualify for CTYOnline?
• Once I establish qualifying test scores, how long will I remain eligible for CTYOnline?

CTYOnline programs are designed for academically gifted students in grades Pre K - 12. Eligibility for admission is based on the student's performance on one of several specific tests depending on the student's grade in school. See Eligibility Guidelines and Qualifying Scores for CTYOnline for the qualifying tests and scores that determine for which programs and courses a student is eligible to enroll.

How can I arrange for eligibility testing?

Eligibility testing for students between Grades 2 - 8 is generally arranged by CTY Global Talent Search. Students who can demonstrate outstanding academic abilities but are unable to test through the Talent Search in time may apply for provisional admission to take one CTYOnline course. They will need to register for the Talent Search to obtain testing materials. To continue in the CTYOnline program or to participate in summer residential or commuter programs, students must submit qualifying scores on an assessment appropriate for their grade level. Contact ctyonline@jhu.edu for information.

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What courses will I be eligible to take?

CTY focuses on challenging academically gifted students in their areas of strength, not on remedial studies. Students who excel in the mathematical reasoning portion of the qualifying test become eligible to take courses in math, science, computer science, and engineering courses. Those who achieve qualifying scores on the verbal (or reading) portion of the above grade test become eligible to take writing, critical reading, grammar, humanities, or social science courses. Students with qualifying math or verbal scores may enroll in Forensics, Intro to Web Design, JavaScript, music, or any world language course if the other prerequisites are met. If you already have the student's scores for SCAT, College Board SAT, or ACT, use the convenient CTY Eligibility Assessment form to find out which programs and courses the student may take.

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What are the eligibility guidelines and scores I need to qualify for CTYOnline?

• Grades Pre K - 2
• Grades 2 - 6
• STB for Grades 5 to 10
• SCAT for Grades 6 to 10
• Grades 7 and Above
• PSAT for Grades 9 to 12

Grades Pre K - 2

CTYOnline offers challenging math courses to academically gifted students beginning in Pre-Kindergarten. Language arts (Young Readers' Series and Building Blocks) and world language courses (Chinese, Arabic, and Spanish) are available to students in 2nd grade and up. Children in grades K-1, who are too young to join the CTY Talent Search and take the SCAT, can become eligible to enroll in online courses by submitting alternative test results that demonstrate high academic potential, such as these:

WISC-IV, WPPSI-III, Stanford-Binet V:

• Math or world language - a Full scale, OR Performance/Perceptual Reasoning/Nonverbal composite score of 127 or higher.
• Language arts or world language -, a Full Scale or Verbal composite score of 127 or higher.

Superior scores on other tests, such as Woodcock Johnson Tests of Achievement, Cognitive Abilities Test, Key Math, or WIAT-III, may also be used to establish eligibility. These tests are available from most private practice child psychologists. Many parents also arrange for special testing with the CTY Diagnostic and Counseling Center (dcc@jhu.edu). Before enrolling, please contact ctyonline@jhu.edu to request a review of your child's standardized test scores and other information that you want us to consider in deciding upon eligibility for CTYOnline.   

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Grades 2 - 6

Academically gifted students in grades 2 - 6 take the School and College Abilities Test (SCAT) to qualify for CTY programs. This computerized above-grade level test is offered through the CTY Talent Search year-round.

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Grades 7 and Above

By the end of grade 7, academically gifted students must have qualifying scores on the Advanced SCAT, ACT, or College Board SAT -I to continue enrolling in CTYOnline distance courses. Students should register for CTY Talent Search and take the ACT or SAT during the 7th grade so their scores will be available by the end of grade 7. At this time, only the ACT Reading, SAT Verbal (prior to 3/05), or SAT Critical Reading score (3/05 or later) will be considered for CTY humanities course eligibility.

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Qualifying Spatial Test Battery [STB] Scores for Grades 5 - 10

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PSAT Scores for Grades 9 - 12

Official PSAT scores may be submitted for academically gifted students in grades 9 - 12 only.

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SCAT Testing for Grades 6 - 10

Effective 09/01/10, students who have taken the Advanced form of the SCAT are eligible for CTYOnline courses, as indicated in the chart below.

Please note:

• Use of the Advanced SCAT for program eligibility for students in 7th grade or higher is currently in a pilot phase. Score requirements are subject to change in future academic years.
• Visit SCAT testing for 7th and 8th graders for more information.

Once I establish qualifying test scores, how long will I remain eligible for CTYOnline?

Academically gifted students in grades Pre K - 6 become eligible for CTYOnline distance education courses for which they meet the prerequisites by achieving qualifying scores on the assessments shown below. Once admitted, they may continue to enroll in courses for which they are eligible until

• the end of the 2nd grade (if they qualified by one of the qualifying tests for Grades Pre K - 1), or
• until the end of 7th grade (if they qualified by SCAT scores taken in grades 2 through 5). By the end of 7th grade, students must have qualifying ACT or College Board SAT scores to continue enrolling in CTYOnline.
• under a pilot program, students who earn qualifying scores in the Advanced SCAT taken in the 6th grade or older, remain eligible to enroll in CTYOnline courses until the end of high school.

Academically gifted students should participate in the CTY Talent Search to take the SCAT during grades 2 through 8 or to take the ACT or College Board SAT in the 7th or 8th grade.

Students with qualifying SAT, ACT, or PSAT scores remain eligible until they complete high school.

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