SCAT scores are scaled, which are based on the number of questions the student answers correctly out of the 50 scored questions in each section (with the 5 extraneous ones thrown out).
Scoring is based on a three-step process in which a child’s raw score is scaled based on the test version and then compared to the results of the test scores of normal students in the higher-level grade. The percentile ranks for the SCAT have not been updated since 1979, when the Center for Talented Youth (CTY) first began. So, when your child takes this test, your child is being compared to a national sample of children who took the test in 1979.
SCAT Scaled Scores range from 401 to 514 depending on the level the student takes. Here are the ranges:
Elementary Level
Verbal Range = 401-471
Quantitative Range = 412-475
Intermediate Level
Verbal Range = 405-482
Quantitative Range = 419-506
Advanced Level
Verbal Range = 410-494
Quantitative Range = 424-514
SCAT percentiles are used to compare students to the older population to whom the student will be compared. For example, Grade 2 students are compared to a general population of 4th graders, Grade 3 to Grade 5, Grade 4 to Grade 6, Grade 5 to Grade 8, Grade 6 to Grade 9, Grade 7 to Grade 12 and Grade 8 to Grade 12.
The minimum scores required for qualification for the 2nd to 10th grade CTY summer courses are below:
- Grade 2 – higher or equivalent 430 SCAT Verbal or 435 SCAT Quantitative
- Grade 3 – higher or equivalent 435 SCAT Verbal or 440 SCAT Quantitative
- Grade 4 – higher or equivalent 440 SCAT Verbal or 450 SCAT Quantitative
- Grade 5 – higher or equivalent 445 SCAT Verbal or 465 SCAT Quantitative
- Grade 6 – higher or equivalent 450 SCAT Verbal or 470 SCAT Quantitative
- Grade 7 – higher or equivalent 455 SCAT Verbal or 475 SCAT Quantitative
- Grade 8 – higher or equivalent 460 SCAT Verbal or 480 SCAT Quantitative
- Grade 9 – higher or equivalent 465 SCAT Verbal or 485 SCAT Quantitative
- Grade 10 – higher or equivalent 470 SCAT Verbal or 490 SCAT Quantitative
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