Research

Research shows that participation in talent seaches benefits gifted students:

• MATS participants continue their achievement into high school.
• They take more accelerated and advanced courses than other students.
• They receive more awards and honors.
• MATS participants in advanced or accelerated courses tend to excel, NOT burn out.

To read articles describing the results of this research, go to Resource Articles.

Research also shows that Midwest Academic Talent Search students perform about as well as older students on the ACT and SAT (see the tables below) and even better than older students on EXPLORE.

Back to top

ACT Scores for MATS Participants and College-Bound Seniors

Data for MATS participants from 2005 and 2006; data for college-bound seniors from 2006.

SAT Scores for MATS Participants and College-Bound Seniors

Data for MATS participants from 2005 and 2006; data for college-bound seniors from 2006.

Back to top

Program Recommendations for SAT and ACT Test-Takers

Each student taking the ACT, SAT or EXPLORE test as part of the Midwest Academic Talent Search receives the Recommended Planning and Resource Guide with the follow-up material that is sent in the spring. This guide helps families create an appropriate academic plan based on the student's test scores.

As an illustration of how the guide works, John Smith, who scored 540 on the math portion of the SAT, would be advised to try the following:

John Smith, SAT 540 Math

Back to top