Preparing for the SCAT test? Do you want a guide to help you out?
Here’s a quick guide on key topics to cover before SCAT.
What Is The SCAT Exam? Who Hosts It?
The SCAT is a school and collegiate,above-grade-level, aptitude test used as an entrance exam by the JH-CTY or the John Hopkins Centre for Talented Youth. This test is held for students in classes 2-8.
This test is equivalent to the CAT4 test run by GLAssesment consisting of four separate tests, Verbal Reasoning, Non-verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, and Spatial Reasoning.
Source: Wikipedia
How Many Parts Exist Under The SCAT Test?
The SCAT is divided into the verbal and reasoning sections. These sections consist of 55 questions each of which 5 are experimental.
This Test Is Divided Into:
1. Verbal Reasoning: This part of the test is where students are judged based on their vocabulary and knowledge of English grammar.
This section of the SCAT test evaluates a candidate’s knowledge of US English. Knowledge of applied english and having an extensive dictionary of words is essential to master this part of the test.
This is generally considered the harder of the two as can be seen by the lower required cutoff scores.
2. Quantitative Aptitude: This test consists of mathematical and logical reasoning concepts that test the ability of a student’s mathematics as well as some occasional computation.
A strong foundation as well as knowledge of mathematics greater than or equivalent to that possessed by higher grades-men and higher order reasoning skills are a must to clear this part of the test.
Most people score a lot higher on this section of the test making clearing this section a lot harder, thus requiring a lot more dedication, especially for those who feel quantitative aptitude isn’t their strong point.
The Syllabus consists of standard mathematical and english knowledge for the respective grade being tested. Using books and papers of the prescribed material can be extremely beneficial to you.
What Are The Scores Required To Clear Different Levels?
There are three levels of SCAT, these are:
1. Elementary level: For students belonging to grades 2-3 who will take a test designed for 4-5th graders.
- Qualifying Verbal Score: 428 – 433
- Qualifying Quantitative Score: 433 – 438
2. Intermediate level: For students belonging to grades 4-5 who will take a test designed for 6-8th graders.
- Qualifying Verbal Score: 438 – 443
- Qualifying Quantitative Score: 445 – 455
3. Advanced level: For students of grades 6-8 who will take a test designed for 9-12th graders.
- Qualifying Verbal Score: 448 – 463
- Qualifying Quantitative Score: 468 – 480.
In a lot of cases, people decide to hire coaches and counselors to help them decide what to prepare for the SCAT test. Although the test follows the standard curriculum followed by government schools, having specialized preparation in areas you are weaker in can be quite an advantage especially if you aren’t academically gifted.
What Would Be The Appropriate Topics For Me To Prepare For?
This can vary from person to person. For some, studying the standard American curriculum and Reading books meant for higher grades can help you expand your vocabulary and your mathematical prowess.
However, for others, this is going to be much less efficient. Especially those who are quite used to studying advanced material. For these students planning your study pattern and topics to study with an instructor would be the best way for the SCAT test prep.
Advanced Preparation Tips:
If you’re sure of your skill, here are a few advanced preparation tips to improve your accuracy, speed, and efficiency in solving the SCAT. Here are a few advanced tips to help you top the test:
- Hire a tutor. Most of the time, students end up struggling with learning newer concepts, hiring an online tutor can change this scenario for you.
- Take practice tests. This is not just important, it’s essential, writing tests can keep away the tension of the approaching exam and save you a lot of needless stress.
- Stay consistent. By ensuring you put in some prep every single day you can ensure an uplifting cycle that can push you forward to eventually clear the test.
However you decide to prepare, there is no substitute for dedication!
Good Luck!
