SCAT
Grades 2-12
The School and College Ability Test (SCAT) is a multiple-choice test usually taken on a computer. With its short testing time and flexible scheduling, it’s a great option if you are looking to qualify for CTY programs on a deadline.
Format
The SCAT is administered at one of three levels depending on grade:
- Students in grades 2–3 take the Elementary SCAT
- Students in grades 4–5 take the Intermediate SCAT
- And students in grades 6 and above take the Advanced SCAT
The test is split into two sections, verbal and quantitative, separated by an optional, student-directed 10-minute break. Test appointments are 90 minutes long, but the test itself usually takes less than an hour.
Verbal Section
This section is 22 minutes long and contains 50 questions that assess verbal reasoning skills and understanding of meaning—plus five unidentified experimental questions that won’t count towards your score. These questions are multiple-choice analogies where you’ll choose the pair of words that best complete the presented comparison.
Quantitative Section
This section is 22 minutes long and contains 50 questions that assess mathematical reasoning skills—plus five unidentified experimental questions that won’t count towards your score. These questions often don’t require computation. Instead, these questions are multiple-choice comparisons where you’ll evaluate two quantities: whether one is greater, both are equal, or (for older students) if there’s enough information to determine an answer at all.
Scoring
All of our testing is done above grade level, meaning that prospective CTYers taking the SCAT will take a version of the test meant for older students. Likewise, test results will show how a child’s scores compare to those of older test-takers.
SCAT scores are scaled at different ranges depending on the test level:
| Verbal | Quantitative | |
|---|---|---|
| Elementary | 401-471 | 412-475 |
| Intermediate | 405-482 | 419-506 |
| Advanced | 410-494 | 424-514 |
Sample Questions
If you’d like a sense of what to expect on the SCAT, you can practice with these sample tests. We recommend printing out a copy of the appropriate test level and setting a five-minute time limit per sections. Actual test questions will vary in difficulty and cover many more topics.
Tips
- Don’t panic! Remember, this is a test designed for older students and you are not expected to know all the answers. If you feel stressed, take a moment to relax. Close your eyes and concentrate on your breathing.
- You have to answer each question before moving on, so try not to spend too much time on any one question. Read all of the choices, eliminate any that are obviously wrong, and carefully consider the rest.
- If you get stuck, don’t be afraid to guess—there’s no penalty for wrong answers on the SCAT. If you don’t have enough time to finish, use the last minute of each test section to fill in any remaining answers.
- If you have extra time, use the “previous” button to go back and check your answers. Trust your instincts, though—only change your answers if you are certain you got them wrong the first time.
Fees
- U.S. students: $60 USD
- International students: Cost varies by country. Visit Prometric.com for more information.