A student's CTY identification level is determined based on their grade and performance on approved exams. CTY offers flexible pathways for students to achieve identification levels. Students may submit existing scores from approved tests or choose to take one of the exams offered by CTY, including the School and College Ability Test (SCAT) or the Spatial Test Battery (STB).
Once an identification level is established through the student’s chosen test, it remains valid throughout high school, and retesting is not required. Learn more about retesting.
In-Person School and College Ability Test (SCAT): The in-person SCAT is available at Prometric testing centers for CTY students in grades 2-12. It is a computer-based, timed, multiple-choice assessment in verbal and quantitative reasoning. Each section is 20 minutes long, with additional time for sample questions and a 10-minute break between sections. With its short testing time and flexible scheduling, the SCAT is a convenient option for families seeking to qualify for CTY programs by a specific deadline. Learn more and register.
Online SCAT: The Online SCAT is available for students to take at home at any time on a desktop or laptop computer. This test is open to CTY students in grades 2-12. It is a timed, multiple-choice assessment in verbal and quantitative reasoning. Each section is 20 minutes long, with additional time for sample questions and a 10-minute break between sections. Test scores are typically available within 10 days. Learn more and register.
Spatial Test Battery (STB): Open to CTY students in grades 5-12, the STB is a computer-based test that addresses a unique skill set. It provides information about students’ spatial reasoning abilities, which are important in fields of study such as math, science, engineering, and computer science. Learn more and register.
CTY also accepts students’ scores from a variety of tests that students may have already taken at school or for other academic purposes. Learn more.