ACT or SAT (PSAT) Tests Through the NUMATS Program

Northwestern University Midwest Academic Talent Search (NUMATS)

Neenah School District's ID # is 8705951

Link to online registration: https://my.ctd.northwestern.edu/ Paper registration form can be found on the bottom of this page.

Link to find local test centers by date: http://www.ctd.northwestern.edu/numats-test-centers

What is NUMATS?

Northwestern University's Midwest Academic Talent Search (NUMATS) is a program that offers above-grade-level testing for academically talented students in grades 3 through 9. NUMATS has been serving students in the Midwest and beyond since 1981. Every year, nearly 31,000 students use NUMATS to help them understand their abilities and plan for their future.

NUMATS is an academic talent search program sponsored by Northwestern University. As part of this program, an above-grade-level test is offered to students in grades 3-9. Testing opens the door to many opportunities through the Talent Search Program. Studies have shown that students who score in the top 5% to 10% on school achievement tests differ widely in their abilities and educational needs. Grade-level achievement tests cannot give an accurate picture of these students' levels of ability. In contrast, above-grade-level tests (tests intended for older students) contain more difficult test items than in-grade tests. For talented students, above-grade-level test scores act like high-powered microscopes, giving greater detail about their academic ability.

The Gifted Program serves as a conduit of NUMATS information, however, this test is optional. The GT Department shares information about this program as a high quality, reputable, resource available and appropriate for GT/Magnet students and their families.

As part of this program students receive:

• • Practice test materials (sent early to mid-January)

  • Certificate Of Recognition

  • Individual Score Report

  • Statistical Summary

  • Recommended Course Sequence

  • Educational Program Guide

  • Talent Development Magazine

Who qualifies to participate in NUMATS?

1. Students -all students in the GT program including Magnet Program students.

2. Students who have already participated in the Talent Search Program.

3. Students who have very high achievement test of 90th percentile or higher on a nationally normed achievement tests

My child qualifies—how do we register?

You may register online at http://www.ctd.northwestern.edu/numats/ Registration is taking place. You will need Neenah School District's identification number which is 8705951

Ms. Cleveland is the site coordinator.

Why Should My Child Take the PSAT, the ACT or the SAT?

Not every student should take the PSAT, the ACT or the SAT. If a student is particularly stressed by the test or needs a break from several years of testing, we recommend passing on the test. However, for most high ability students, the test offers an appropriate challenge.

Reasons for participating in the NUMATS testing:

• • Many talent search students have “topped out” of the age-appropriate tests they normally take in school. By taking the ACT or SAT students get amore detailed picture of their abilities in comparison with other bright students.

  • Students are provided with a practice and experience of taking the ACT/SAT without it “officially” counting on their school record.

  • Each student gets a preview of an important test they will ultimately take again during their junior year of high school for the purposes of college admission. This experience may help them focus their high school study and test preparation efforts so that they may improve their scores.

  • Testing may draw attention to a child's particular academic need. Gifted teachers may use this information to levy more differentiation and/or acceleration in the classroom.

  • It provides another opportunity to receive Gifted services. ACT & SAT scores may now be used as a test qualifier to enter the GT program.

Which Test Should My Child Take the PSAT, the ACT or the SAT?

We recommend the PSAT for 3rd- through 6th-grade students

The PSAT is a test written at about 8/9th-grade level by the College Board (creators of the SAT) in preparation for the SAT (usually taken Junior year of high school). Therefore, it provides your younger students, who are most likely to test for National Merit/Achievement Scholarships opportunity to prepare. Students at the 7th-through 9th-grades may take the SAT or ACT. Although the PSAT is open to 3rd-grade students, it really needs to be an exceptionally bright student who participates in NUMATS because the PSAT questions are written at an 8th-or 9th-grade level. The PSAT is an appropriate option for any 4th- or 5th-grade GT/Magnet student whose parent would like to have a more accurate measure of their child's above grade level abilities.

We recommend the ACT for 7th-grade students for several reasons:

1. The ACT is comprised of four subtests: English, Math, Reading and Science Reasoning (optional writing). The writing portion is optional. The subtests break up the testing time and make the testing pacing more appropriate for our younger students.

2. The subtest subject area information is more useful to the gifted teacher when doing specific programming. For example, the need for science enrichment or acceleration stands out more clearly on the ACT.

3. There are more ACT test sites near the Fox Valley Area.

4. The ACT is the most

commonly used in our Midwest region.

During your child's 8th-or 9th-grade, you have the option of taking the ACT again or your child might be interested in trying out the SAT. Some 9th-grade students like to take the SAT in preparation for the National Merit/Achievement Scholarship Award program that begins Sophomore year and requires high scores on the SAT to qualify.

10 Reasons for Your Child to Participate in NUMATS

Who Pays for the NUMATS Tests?

Families pay for their child's NUMATS participation. NUMATS is a program run by Northwestern University outside of the Neenah School District that supports parents of gifted and high ability students in the mid-west region. Score results are mailed home directly to the parents as well as other program opportunities. Parents may then wish to share the test information with the schools or simply keep the test scores for their own records. Participation in the NUMATS program is optional.

Is there any Financial Assistance for Students to Participate in the NUMATS Program?

Financial aid is available for one test per school year to students who qualify for a federally subsidized program such as free or reduced-price lunch. Parents will need to contact school personnel and submit a letter of request for reduced NUMATS fee.