Spatial Test Battery (STB)

Format

The STB is administered at one of two levels depending on grade:

• Students in grades 5–6 take a test with three sections, lasting around an hour and a half,
• And students in grades 7–8 take a test with four sections, lasting around two hours. 

Both tests contain sections assessing visual memory, surface development, and block rotation. Seventh and eighth graders will also take a section on perspectives. Some of the test questions are experimental and will not count toward the student's score. 

Each section is timed separately and is preceded by a tutorial, which lasts a few minutes. A screen timer shows students how much time remains for each. 

Visual memory section

This section is split into two phases: memorization and recall, with the recall subsection presented much later in the test. The memorization phase is 8 minutes long and contains 17 shapes (22 for grades 7–8) to memorize. The recall phase is also 8 minutes long and contains 17 questions (20 for grades 7–8) to answer, which ask students to identify a series of irregular shapes by their contours and interiors.

Surface development section

This section is 12 minutes long and contains 30 questions that assess two- and three-dimensional reasoning. These questions present a series of irregular shapes with fold lines next to a box, asking students to identify which of the shapes could be folded to create the box.

Block rotation section

This section is 12 minutes long and contains 20 questions that assess three-dimensional rotational reasoning. These questions ask students to mentally rotate a shape and determine a matching one from a list of options.

Perspectives section (grades 7–8) 

This section is 19 minutes long and contains 22 questions that assess three-dimensional rotational reasoning. These questions ask students to mentally rotate a shape and determine a matching one from a list of options.

Scoring

All of our testing is done above grade level, meaning that prospective CTYers taking the STB 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.

After taking the test, you’ll receive two scores. Your raw score is the total number of graded questions answered correctly. Your scaled score is a percentile which shows how your raw score compares with other prospective CTYers from the same grade.

Sample Questions

If you'd like a sense of what to expect on the STB, you can practice with these sample tests. Depending on your screen's resolution setting, you may not be able to see all the images at the same time. If this is the case for you, we recommend printing out a copy of the sections you'd like to practice with.

• Visual memory, learning phase
• Surface development
• Block rotation
• Visual memory, recall phase
• Perspectives (grades 7-8)
• Answers

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 can skip questions within a section or go back to change an answer. Once a section is exited, however, you can’t re-enter it to change answers.
• If you get stuck, don’t be afraid to guess—there’s no penalty for wrong answers on the STB. 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 within a section, 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: $75 USD
International students: Cost varies by country