Is it Beneficial to take SCAT at Elementary Level?

School and College Ability Test is a special exam that is designed by John Hopkins Centre for Talented Youth. This exam explores the academic excellence of students between grades 2-12. This verbal and quantitative test is designed in a way that students attempt for more complex and demanding problems than their current level. To ace this exam, students not only need to excel in their current class but also have to prepare for more difficult levels. 

This might make you think that SCAT is only for senior class students who are planning to go to college. That is not true. SCAT is for anybody who wants to take up academic challenges. Anybody in and above grade 2 is qualified to take this exam. Grade 2-3 take the SCAT exam designed with the curriculum of grade 4-6 and 4-5 take the exam with grade 6-8 curriculum. If you are wondering why a 6-7 year old must take up such a challenge very early on in life, you will be amazed to know the benefits of SCAT preparation and taking this test. This article might help you make up your mind about SCAT. 

Head start: SCAT - whether your child clears it or not, opens up the mind to multiple crucial skills. Practicing for SCAT can help your child ace the current subjects and stay ahead of the peers. This exam will give them more time to explore other skills that they might be interested in. Moreover, SCAT also shows children that there is a huge world of opportunities outside the school that most students are not aware of until very late in their academic lives. 

Opportunities: There is a reason why SCAT is so popular and at the same time difficult. This exam designed by John Hopkins University opens up a plethora of opportunities for students. Once they clear the test, they will be introduced to a whole new world where they can learn the most up-to-date skills and take up whatever courses that interest them. They will also come in contact with people of their age who share the same interests as them. It is like a whole new world for gifted minds. 

Confidence: If your child successfully cracks SCAT, it will be great for their confidence. There is a lot of practice and hard work that goes into preparing for this test. So, they will also go through the process in which they will realize that they can do anything if they set their mind to it. Such positive confidence is extremely important in children and can create a strong foundation for their life. 

Timed exams: SCAT exam is divided into two parts - verbal and quantitative. For each section, the students get 22 minutes each and they are separated by a 10-minute break. No matter how well a student has prepared, if they don't have a sense of deadline - much of the work they do will lose its value. Taking the SCAT test prepares students and teaches them the importance of timeliness. This goes on to become an extremely crucial life skill. 

Polished concepts: Elementary education is extremely crucial because it serves as the foundation of the rest of the learning years. Taking a SCAT early in their education years will prepare them in a way that their concepts will be polished for the rest of their life. It is embarrassing how so many people don't have their elementary math or language concepts clear. SCAT allows students to polish their fundamental learnings and look beyond their curriculum. 

Whether your child qualifies for SCAT or not, taking this exam is an experience that might prepare them for future academic challenges. All learnings from this exam’s preparations and the exam itself can put them on a higher pedestal than their peers. SCAT is the perfect exercise for gifted minds.