SCAT Flashcards

Definition

The SCAT compares students to older students rather than age-peers. A 5th-grade student takes the version normed for 7th graders. This 'above-level' approach identifies truly exceptional students who would score at the ceiling of a grade-level test — ceiling effects hide the differences between highly gifted students.

Definition

The SCAT verbal section uses A:B::C:? analogy format. "Hot is to Cold as Fast is to ___?" Most questions are antonym or synonym-relationship analogies. Vocabulary is deliberately 1–2 grade levels above the student's current level.

Definition

Each SCAT math item shows two quantities (Column A and Column B) and asks which is greater, or if they're equal. No calculators. Requires mental math, estimation, and algebraic thinking above the student's current grade level. Speed matters — 55 items in ~30 minutes.

Definition

Johns Hopkins' gifted education program that uses SCAT scores for admissions. Offers intensive summer courses, online programs, and family academic programs. CTY qualification opens doors to the most rigorous academic enrichment available to K-12 students in the US.

Definition

The broader concept of above-level testing for gifted identification, pioneered by Julian Stanley at Johns Hopkins in the 1970s. Also conducted by Duke TIP, Northwestern CTD, and Carnegie Mellon CSTEP. SCAT is the primary instrument used by the Johns Hopkins program.