The Center for Talent Development's Midwest Academic Talent Search
CTD's Midwest Academic Talent Search
Register for CTD's Midwest Academic Talent Search
FAQs

Academics

Admissions

Financial Aid

Information for Accepted Students

Logistics

NUMATS ACT registrants

NUMATS FAQs about the EXPLORE test (grades 3 to 6)

NUMATS SAT registrants

NUMATS students in grades 6 to 9

Program Benefits

Program Policies

Tuition

Academics

  • 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.


  • My school offers no gifted programs; should I still participate in NUMATS?
    Yes, CTD informs you of educational resources that can help you, especially 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.



  • What is above grade-level testing?
    Explore Our Program for more background on the concept.


  • What is Northwestern University's Midwest Academic Talent Search, or NUMATS?
    Go to Program. 


  • What is NUMATS?
    Based at the Center for Talent Development in Evanston, Illinois, NUMATS combines above-grade testing—using the EXPLORE, ACT and SAT tests usually given to much older students—with guidance as to the appropriate academic followup for individual students based on their test scores.



  • Will my school be notified of my test results?
    NUMATS sends your test scores and your certificate of participation to your school if you provide your school's name or NUMATS ID number when you register.


Admissions

  • Can (and should) homeschoolers participate in NUMATS?
    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 NUMATS.


  • Can I participate in NUMATS if my school does not administer achievement tests?
    Go to Eligibility. 


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


  • 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 NUMATS. Go to Eligibility.


Financial Aid

Information for Accepted Students

  • 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. Some 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 have their own award ceremonies during which their NUMATS participants receive their certificate of participation.





  • 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 receive test preparation materials that explain each test and offer test-taking tips. Students should read the material for the test they plan to take and complete the sample test or sample questions well before the anticipated testing date.


  • Who is invited to participate in the CTD Award Ceremony at Northwestern University?
    After we analyze the test scores for all NUMATS participants who test before March, we establish the criteria for award ceremony eligibility. Invitations are mailed in late April to the highest-scoring students in grades 4 to 8, usually those who score in the top 1% for ACT and SAT and the top 2% for EXPLORE.



  • 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 getting the test center you chose by registering early and by choosing two test centers.



Logistics

  • Is identification time consuming for schools?
    • Having students participate in NUMATS actually saves time for school staff.
    • Staff can avoid making time-consuming guesses about gifted students' real abilities.
    • Staff can spend less time locating resources for each individual gifted student.





NUMATS ACT registrants

  • Can I go to another test center instead of the one to which I was assigned?
    You may try to change your test center on the day of the test by taking 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 for the test center change, but there is a good chance you will get in.



  • How do I prepare for the test?
    Read the test preparation material that we send you: Preparing for the ACT and the Student Guide. You should also take the practice test that is enclosed in Preparing for the ACT.



  • How long is the test?
    The total time for ACT is about four hours, including time for a break and for distribution of materials. Arrive at the assigned test center by 8 a.m. The test starts at 8:30 a.m. The test is over around 12:15 p.m.



  • 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.



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



  • 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.



  • 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.



NUMATS FAQs about the EXPLORE test (grades 3 to 6)

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



  • How long is the EXPLORE test?
    The EXPLORE test is 2 1/2 to 3 hours total, including time for a break and for distribution of materials. Arrive at your assigned test center by 8:00 a.m. The test starts at 8:30 a.m. The test is over between 11:15 and 11:45 a.m.



  • What happens after I register for the EXPLORE test?
    We send a record of your registration to the testing agency. At least two to three weeks before the test, you will receive 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.



  • What happens if I miss the test date?
    If you are registered for the January test, call EXPLORE at 319-337-1369 to see if you can reschedule for the February test date. You will be charged $18 for rescheduling the test. There may be limited sites available for the later test date. There are no tests available after the February test.



  • What is the EXPLORE test?
    The EXPLORE is a paper-and-pencil test in a multiple-choice format that was developed for students in grade 8 to measure educational achievement in English, mathematics, reading, and science. It is an appropriate test for academically talented students in grades 3 through 6. 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 scientific reasoning skills



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



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



  • 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.



  • Why should I take the EXPLORE test?
    Not every student should take the EXPLORE test. NUMATS uses this test because it is more challenging for academically talented students in grades 3 to 6 than standardized tests designed for their age group. Students who qualify to take the EXPLORE test through NUMATS will get a more detailed picture of their true abilities compared with other students at their grade level who test through NUMATS. In addition, taking the EXPLORE test allows students a “practice run” to become familiar with the test that many high schools use as an entrance exam or placement exam.



NUMATS SAT registrants

  • Can I go to another test center instead of the one to which I was assigned?
    You may try to change your test center on the day of the test by taking your SAT admission ticket and your completed SAT student ID form to the center where you want to test. If space and materials are available you will be admitted before standby candidates. SAT will bill you $22 for the test center change, but there is a good chance you will get in.



  • How do I prepare for the test?
    Read the test preparation material that we send you: the SAT Preparation Booklet and the Student Guide. You should also take the practice test that is enclosed in the SAT Preparation Booklet.



  • How long is the test?
    The total time for the SAT is about five hours, including time for a break and for distribution of materials. Arrive at the assigned test center by 7:45 a.m. The test begins around 8:15 a.m. The test is over around 1:00 p.m.




  • What happens after I register?
    We send a record of your registration to the testing agency. At least two to three weeks before the test, you will receive 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.



  • What happens if I miss the test date?
    You should call SAT at 866-756-7346 to reschedule for a later test date. You will be charged $22 to make this change. Do not reregister for a new test date.



  • 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.



  • What should I do if the weather is bad?
    Listen to your local radio or TV station for an announcement concerning the status of your test center or go to SAT Test Center Closings. If the center closes, 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 remains open but you are unable to get to it safely, call SAT to see if you can reschedule (see below).



  • 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.



  • 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.



NUMATS students in grades 6 to 9

  • What happens after I register?
    We send a record of your registration to the testing agency. At least two to three weeks before the test, you will receive 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.



  • What is the ACT?
    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.



  • 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 are learning 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 students in grades 11 and 12 who are applying for admission to American universities.



  • Which test should students in grades 6 through 9 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 students in grade 6 who score at the 90th or 91st percentile on grade-level achievement tests should consider taking the EXPLORE test, while those scoring at the 92nd percentile or higher should consider taking either the ACT or SAT test.




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



  • Will ACT and SAT test scores from tests taken through NUMATS be reported to colleges when students apply to college later?
    The testing agencies (ACT and SAT/College Board) do not retain test scores achieved through NUMATS participation prior to grade 9, and thus these scores are never reported to colleges. Starting in grade 9, the scores are retained and may be reported for college admission. However, when students ask the testing agencies to send ACT and SAT scores to colleges (usually in grade 11 or 12), they may withhold their grade 9 scores if they wish. While ACT has long held this policy, it is a change for SAT, starting with the class of 2010. Please check with the testing agencies for more information.



  • Will I take the ACT Writing Test?
    NUMATS does not require that students take the optional ACT Writing Test, nor is this option available on the NUMATS registration at this time. If you have registered for ACT through NUMATS and wish to take the ACT Writing Test, please call ACT at 319-337-1270 after you have received the ACT admission ticket.




Program Benefits

  • 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.


  • How do NUMATS 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, NUMATS students perform about as well as the older students on the ACT and SAT and even better than the older students on EXPLORE.


  • Our students are not interested in applying for out-of-town programs, so why test?
    See Benefits.
    • To receive test scores, interpretive material and information about academic planning
    • To practice taking tests used for high school entrance (EXPLORE) and college entrance (ACT and SAT)
    • To receive




  • 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.


  • Since students can take the ACT and SAT tests on their own, why pay to register with NUMATS?
    The score reports that students receive from ACT and SAT show their scores in relation to all the students who took the test, including the high school students. Because this information can be confusing when viewed out of context, NUMATS provides easy-to-understand material to help young students interpret scores and plan their educational futures with the help of their parents.




  • What will I receive from NUMATS?

    All students receive the following items in a spring mailing:

    • 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 is sent to the student's school (or to the student's home for students in grade 9 or for those who give no school name or NUMATS ID number when they register).


    In addition, students receive practice taking tests for high school and college admission. They will also continue to receive information about gifted programs through grade 12.




  • Which students benefit from participating in Northwestern University's Midwest Academic Talent Search?
    Go to Eligibility.


  • Why should a gifted student enroll in Northwestern University's Midwest Academic Talent Search?
    NUMATS provides students with test scores that reflect a more accurate assessment of their abilities. They get valuable practice taking the same tests used for high school and college admissions. A student guide sent prior to the test offers test-taking strategies, test information, and career planning suggestions.

    But beyond testing, participants reap many other benefits. They gain self-confidence. They’re more willing to take on challenges. And they start to think more about what they can achieve not only in school, but in life.

    Research shows that participation in talent searches such as Northwestern University’s Midwest Academic Talent Search (NUMATS) benefits gifted students in a number of ways. Participants continue their achievement into high school, college and beyond, receiving more awards and honors than academically talented non-participants. They take more accelerated and advanced courses than other students, and they tend to excel, not burn out.



  • Why should a gifted student enroll in Northwestern University's Midwest Academic Talent Search?
    Go to Benefits.


Program Policies

  • When do test results arrive?
    The testing agencies send a score report to students four to five weeks after the test.


Tuition

  • Is testing expensive?
    The total cost ranges from $57 to $78, 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 Financial Aid).