Frequently Asked Questions

Basic information

What is MATS?
Go to Program Description.

Why should a gifted student enroll in the Midwest Academic Talent Search?
Go to Benefits and Research.

What is above-grade level testing?
Go to Research and explore the articles to get more background on the concept.

What are the eligibility criteria for the Midwest Academic Talent Search?
Go to Eligibility.

What should I do if my school does not administer achievement tests?
Go to Eligibility.

What if I feel that my achievement test scores do not accurately reflect my true abilities?
Your parent or teacher may nominate you to participate in MATS. Go to Eligibility.

Must my school recommend me for participation in this program?
No, students may sign up for Midwest Academic Talent Search either individually or through their schools.

How do I apply/qualify for financial aid (a fee waiver)?
Go to Policies & Fees.

How do students prepare for the test?
Students should become familiar with the types of questions asked on each test and with the pace and time limits associated with each test. All students will receive test preparation materials and a copy of A Student Guide: Participating in the Midwest Academic Talent Search, which explains each test and offers test-taking tips. Students should read the booklet for the test they plan to take and complete the sample test or sample questions well before the anticipated testing date.

When do test results arrive?
Test results arrive directly from the testing agency four to five weeks after the test.

What will I receive from MATS?
All students will receive a spring mailing which will include the following:

• A Long-Range Academic Plan,
• A Planning & Resource Guide,
• A Statistical Summary of all participants' scores,
• Talent newsletter,
• The Educational Program Guide (sent separately).

A certificate of participation will be sent to the student's school or to the student's home.

In addition, students receive practice taking tests for high school and college admission. They also remain on CTD's mailing list until they are in 12th grade.

Will my school be notified of my test results?
Your school will get your results and your certificate of participation if you provide your school's MATS ID number or school name when you register.

Who will be invited to participate in the CTD Award Ceremony at Northwestern University?
Once we have analyzed the testing results for all MATS participants and created our statistical summary, we will establish the criteria for eligibility. Letters will be mailed in late April to invite selected students in grades 4 to 8, usually those who score in the top 1% for ACT and SAT and the top 2% for EXPLORE.

Are other award ceremonies planned?
Yes, educators and gifted associations in several individual states conduct award ceremonies in which they recognize high-scoring students from their states. Eligibility criteria for these local or state award ceremonies may differ from the criteria for the CTD Award Ceremony. As a result, students may be invited to more than one ceremony. Students will be notified by mail if they have been invited to participate in any of these award ceremonies.

In addition, many schools present MATS participants with their certificates of participation during school award ceremonies.

My school offers no gifted programs; should I still participate in MATS?
Yes, CTD will inform you of educational resources that can help you if your school does not offer appropriate courses. You will receive both published listings of programs and, in some cases, by-mail invitations to participate in specific programs for which you qualify.

Can (and should) homeschoolers participate in MATS?
Absolutely. The resources we provide will help all students plan for the future. Homeschoolers with few opportunities for formal assessment of their abilities can particularly benefit from MATS.

Is identification time consuming for schools?

• Having students participate in MATS will actually save school staff time.
• Staff can avoid making time-consuming guesses about gifted students' real abilities.
• Staff can spend less time locating resources for each individual gifted student.

Is testing expensive?

The total cost ranges from $56.00 to $75.00, depending on which test students take, compared to a typical individual educational assessment at $400 to $600, yet the information is comparable. The value is even greater because students continue to receive information about gifted programs from CTD throughout high school. In addition, financial aid is available to students who qualify (see Policies & Fees).

Since students can take the ACT and SAT tests on their own, why pay to register with MATS?

ACT and SAT test scores for younger students are confusing when viewed out of context, but MATS provides easy-to-understand material to help young students interpret scores and plan their educational futures.

Our students are not interested in out-of-town opportunities, so why test?
See Benefits.

• To receive test scores and interpretive material
• To practice taking tests used for high school entrance (EXPLORE) and college entrance (ACT and SAT)
• To receive information about many kinds of programs that may interest the student
  

How do MATS students perform on these tests?
Most participants perform above the level of chance; the tests are NOT too difficult or frustrating for qualified students. As a group, MATS students perform about as well as the older students on the ACT and SAT and even better than the older students on EXPLORE.

FAQs about the ACT and SAT tests (for students in grades 6 to 9)

Why should I take the SAT or ACT test?
Not every student should take the ACT or the SAT, but these tests have a long track record as good measures of academic talent. MATS uses these challenging tests because they are often more appropriate for academically talented students than standardized tests designed for their age group. In fact, between a quarter and a third of these students score as well as or better than the average college-bound high school senior. By taking the ACT or SAT test, MATS students get a more detailed picture of their abilities in comparison with other bright students. In addition, most college-bound students will take the ACT or SAT as part of the college admission process, and participating in MATS allows students a “practice run” to become familiar with the test format before scores are recorded for college admission use.

Which test should a 6th- to 9th-grader take, SAT or ACT?
CTD does not recommend one test over the other, since research has shown that the majority of students have comparable scores on the two tests. Students can qualify for any of CTD's educational programs, the CTD Award Ceremony and other special programs for gifted students with either SAT or ACT scores. Please note that 6th graders scoring at the 95th or 96th percentile on grade-level achievement tests should consider taking the EXPLORE test, while 6th graders scoring at the 97th to 99th percentiles should consider taking either the ACT or SAT test.

What is the ACT Assessment?
The ACT focuses directly on academic skills taught as part of the standard college preparatory curriculum in English, mathematics, reading and science. The ACT is offered at more sites in the Midwest than the SAT, and more of these sites are in small towns and rural areas.

Will I take the ACT Writing Test?
In February 2005 the ACT added an optional Writing Test component. This option is not available on the MATS registration process at this time, but may be in the future. If you want to take the ACT Writing Test please call ACT at 319-337-1270 once we have transmitted your registration and they will register you for the test.

What is the SAT test?

The SAT is a measure of the critical thinking, mathematical and writing skills you will need for academic success in college. The SAT assesses how well you analyze and solve problems -- skills you learned in school that you will need in college. Created in 1926 for the College Entrance Examination Board, various forms of it have been administered to millions of eleventh and twelfth graders applying for admission to American universities.

Will ACT and SAT test scores from tests taken through MATS be reported to colleges when students apply to college later?
No, ACT and SAT test scores achieved through MATS participation prior to 9th grade are not reported to colleges. In addition, ACT does not send scores for tests taken after 8th grade unless specifically requested by the student. SAT sends all scores for tests taken after 8th grade. As a result, MATS does not allow 9th graders to take the SAT test.

FAQs about the EXPLORE test (for students in grades 3 to 6)

What is the EXPLORE test?

The EXPLORE is a paper-and-pencil test. It is a multiple-choice format that was developed for 8th graders to measure educational achievement in English, mathematics, reading, and science. It is an appropriate test for talented 3rd to 6th graders. The English test measures understanding of standard written English and rhetorical skills. The mathematics test measures mathematical reasoning. The reading test measures reading comprehension, and the science test measures developed scientific reasoning skills.

Why should I take the EXPLORE test?
Not every student should take the EXPLORE test. MATS uses this challenging test because it is more appropriate for academically talented students in grades 3 to 6 than standardized tests designed for their age group. Qualified students who take the EXPLORE test will get a more detailed picture of their true abilities. In addition, taking the EXPLORE test allows students a “practice run” to become familiar with the test format which many high schools are using as entrance exams.

Information for students who have registered

Information for students who have registered for the EXPLORE test

What happens after I register?

We send a record of your registration to the testing agency. In December, you will be sent an admission ticket and test preparation material. On the day of the test you must take your admission ticket to the test center where you have been assigned.

How do I prepare for the test?
Read the booklet Getting Ready for EXPLORE, which is sent to students who register for EXPLORE.

Why was I assigned a different test center from the one I chose?

There are a limited number of seats available at each test center. If all the seats at the test center you chose are filled, the testing agency will assign you to a nearby test center. You increase the chance of getting the test center you chose by registering early and by choosing two test centers.

What should I do if I do not have an admission ticket for the upcoming testing?
Call EXPLORE at 319-337-1369 to confirm you are registered and to find out where you are testing.

How long is the test?
Arrive at your assigned test center by 8:00 a.m. The test starts at 8:30 a.m. There will be a break. The test is over between 11:15 and 11:45 a.m.

What should I take with me to the test center on the day of the test?
Take your EXPLORE admission ticket, a calculator, two #2 pencils and a snack.

What should I do if the weather is bad?
Listen to your local radio or TV for an announcement. If the center is closed, EXPLORE will notify you about a rescheduled test date. If you have not received a reschedule letter by the Thursday after the original test date, please call EXPLORE at 319-337-1369. If the test center remained opened, but you are unable to get to it safely, call EXPLORE to see if you can reschedule (see below).

What happens if I miss the test date?
You should call EXPLORE at 319-337-1369 to see if you can reschedule for another test date. You will be charged $18.00 for rescheduling the test. There may be limited sites available for the later test date.

Information for students who have registered for the ACT test

What happens after I register?
We send a record of your registration to the testing agency. In December, you will be sent an admission ticket and test preparation material (in separate mailings), including an ACT student ID form for you to complete. On the day of the test you must take your admission ticket and your completed ACT student ID form to the test center where you have been assigned.

How do I prepare for the test?
Read the booklet Preparing for the ACT Assessment and take the practice test that is enclosed. This booklet was enclosed in the preparation packet that was sent to you.

What should I do if I do not have an admission ticket for testing?
Call ACT at 319-337-1270. They will confirm your registration number, your test center location and that your name will appear on the roster at that site. If you experience a problem at the test center, instruct the testing supervisor to call ACT to make the same confirmation.

Why was I assigned to a different test center from the one I chose?
There are a limited number of seats available at each test center. If all the seats at the test center you chose are filled, the testing agency will assign you to a nearby test center. You increase the chance of being assigned to the test center you chose by registering early and by choosing two test centers.

Can I go to another test center instead of the one to which I was assigned?
You may take a chance of changing the test center on the day of the test. Take your ACT admission ticket and your completed ACT student ID form to the center where you want to test. If space and materials are available you will be admitted before standby candidates. ACT will bill you $20.50 for the test center change, but there is a good chance you will get in.

How long is the test?
Arrive at the assigned test center by 8:00 a.m. The test starts at 8:30 a.m. There will be a break after the first two tests. The test is over around 12:15 p.m.

What should I take with me to the test center on the day of the test?
Take your ACT admission ticket, your completed ACT student ID form, calculator, two #2 pencils and a watch if you want to pace yourself.

What should I do if the weather is bad?
Listen to your local radio or TV for an announcement concerning the status of your test center. If the center is closed, ACT will notify you about a rescheduled test date. If you have not received a reschedule letter by the Thursday after the original test date, please call ACT at 319-337-1270. If the test center was opened, but you are unable to get to it safely, call ACT to see if you can reschedule (see below).

What happens if I miss the test date?
You should call ACT at 319-337-1270 to reschedule for a later test date. You will be charged $20.50 to make this change.

Information for students who have registered for the SAT test

What happens after I register?
We send a record of your registration to the testing agency. In December, you will be sent an admission ticket and test preparation material (in separate mailings), including an SAT student ID form for you to complete. On the day of the test you must take your admission ticket and your completed SAT student ID form to the test center where you have been assigned.

How do I prepare for the test?

Read the SAT Preparation Booklet and take the practice test that is enclosed. This booklet was enclosed in the preparation packet that was sent to you.

What should I do if I do not have an admission ticket for testing?

Call SAT at 866-756-7346. They will confirm your testing location and that your name will appear on the roster at that site. They will also give you a registration number.

Why was I assigned to a different test center from the one I chose?
There are a limited number of seats available at each test site. If all the seats at the test center you chose are filled, the testing agency will assign you to a nearby test center. You increase the change of getting the test center you chose by registering early and by choosing two test centers.

Can I go to a another test center instead of the one to which I was assigned?

How long is the test?

What should I take with me to the test center on the day of the test?

Take the SAT admission ticket (or registration number), your completed SAT student ID form, calculator, two #2 pencils and a watch if you want to pace yourself.

What should I do if the weather is bad?

Listen to your local radio or TV for an announcement concerning the status of your test center or go to SAT Test Center Closings. If the center is closed, SAT will notify you about a rescheduled test date. If you have not received a reschedule letter by the Thursday after the original test date, please call SAT at 866-756-7346. If the test center remained opened, but you are unable to get to it safely, call SAT to see if you can reschedule (see below).

What happens if I miss the test date?