John Hopkins University Center for Talented Youth (JHU CTY) Program Test Preparation and Tips – 2025
Are you a parent considering enrolling your child into a John Hopkins University Center for Talented Youth Program? If you are, you need to be aware of the different types of programs offered by the university and understand their application requirements. Students will be expected to complete one of five different aptitude tests before being accepted into the program. This article will provide you with everything you need to know about the different programs offered at this university and what you need to do to prepare your child for them.
What Is the John Hopkins University CTY Program?
The John Hopkins University Center for Talented Youth, also abbreviated as JHU CTY, is a special program for children that have been identified as gifted. The JHU CTY program provides an accelerated learning environment for students that have exceptional cognitive abilities. JHU CTY offers a variety of programs nationally and internationally, as well as online. These programs are offered to students in elementary school through high school. In order to be admitted into this type of program, students will be required to take an aptitude test that is used to assess a child’s learning ability. Most aptitude tests use material that is not often taught in school. In order to be prepared to take this exam, students will need to prepare with practice exams and study guides using resources found online. The JHU CTY program is competitive and only enrolls students that have received exceptionally high scores compared to their peers.
What Are the John Hopkins University CTY Standardized Testing Methods?
Unlike other gifted and talented programs, the JHU CTY program allows parents to choose the type of testing method. There are five different tests that your child has the option of taking, but only the SCAT exam is offered to students in all grade levels. To learn more about the different types of aptitude tests offered, refer to the following table.
| Test Name | Testing Grade Level | Test Sections | Testing Time |
| SCAT | 2nd grade – 8th grade | – Verbal Section – Quantitative Section |
Each section includes a testing time limit of 22 minutes. Between each section students will receive a 10-minute break. |
| ACT | 7th grade – 9th grade | – English Section – Math Section – Reading Section – Science Section – Non-compulsory Essay |
The entire test includes a testing time limit of three hours, with an additional 40 minutes to complete the essay at the end of the exam. |
| STBT | 5th grade – 9th grade | – Visual Perspectives Section (only for 7th graders and higher) – Surface Development Section – Block Rotation Section – Visual Memory Section |
Children in 5th and 6th grade will have 83 minutes to complete the entire test. Children in 7th through 9th grade will have 109 minutes to complete the entire test. |
| SAT | 7th grade – 9th grade | – English Section – Math Section – Reading Section – Non-compulsory Essay |
The entire test includes a testing time limit of three hours, with an additional 50 minutes to complete the essay at the end of the exam. |
| PSAT 8/9 | 5th grade – 6th grade | – Reading Section – Writing and Language Section – Math Section |
The entire test includes a testing time limit of two hours and 25 minutes. |
What Are the Different John Hopkins University CTY Programs?
There are several JHU CTY programs offered to gifted students. Parents should learn about every program offered in order to identify one that would be the best fit for their child. Below are the different types of programs offered by the John Hopkins University.
John Hopkins University CTY Summer Program in Greece
The JHU CTY Summer Program in Greece offers students an opportunity to study at the Anatolia College in Thessaloniki during the summer. For children in 3rd through 6th grade, the program will include activities and courses all conducted in Greek. For students in 7th through 11th grade, students can attend either a residential or day program with activities and courses all conducted in English. The residential and day programs both include the option for students to choose an immersive course in either humanities or science.
Students interested in this program will need to take an entrance exam, most likely the SCAT exam. Scores from this exam will determine if a child can enroll in the JHU CTY Summer Program in Greece.
John Hopkins University CTY Family Program
The JHU CTY Family Program provides gifted students with the opportunity to spend an entire day, overnight, weekend, or week-long course learning about advanced information with like-minded students. This program provides students with tours of research institutes, colleges, museums, and more.
Students interested in this program will need to apply through the JHU CTY Program Talent Search, either online or through a paper application. Students in 2nd through 8th grade will be required to take the SCAT exam if they are eligible for the program. Scores from this exam will determine if a child can enroll in the JHU CTY Family Program.
John Hopkins University CTY Educational Travel Programs
The JHU CTY Educational Travel Program offers students an opportunity to partake in various learning experiences located throughout the world. The program is typically held in several different locations throughout the summer. This program allows students to be introduced to different cultures, environments, and histories pertinent to the studying location. Students are also introduced to local families and can learn about the way different cultures live.
Students interested in this program will need to apply through the JHU CTY Program Talent Search, either online or through a paper application. You will be notified which aptitude test your child should take, but most of the time students are required to take the SCAT exam. Scores from this exam will determine if a child can enroll in the JHU CTY Educational Travel Program.
John Hopkins University CTY Hong Kong Program
The JHU CTY Hong Kong Program offers students an opportunity to spend the summer studying in Hong Kong. Children in 2nd through 6th grade will study at the ISF Academy, and children in 7th through 10th grade will reside at the University of Hong Kong. Students will get to experience an immersive learning environment that allows them to meet like-minded students and learn more about the culture in Hong Kong.
Students interested in this program will need to apply through the JHU CTY Program Talent Search, either online or through a paper application. You will be notified which aptitude test your child should take, but most of the time students are required to take the SCAT exam. Scores from this exam will determine if a child can enroll in the JHU CTY Hong Kong Program.
John Hopkins University CTY Online Gifted and Talented Program
The JHU CTY Online Gifted and Talented Program offers students an opportunity to learn material at an advanced rate online. Courses are held throughout the year and do not require the students to leave their home or skip school. This program is offered to students in kindergarten through 12th grade. The materials cover over 170 different courses and can be accessed at any time. Courses could include computer science, Chinese, AP math, writing, and much more. Courses are admitted in a variety of formats convenient for the students.
Students will need to take one of several different tests in order to qualify for this program. Students in 2nd grade through 8th grade typically have their testing scheduled through the CTY Talent Search. Students that score high on the mathematic reasoning section of the SCAT exam will be eligible for courses relating to math, computer science, engineering, and science. Students that score high on the verbal section of the SCAT exam will be eligible for courses relating to critical reading, social science, grammar, and writing. Finally, students that score high on math or verbal sections may be authorized to enroll into chess, music, JavaScript, forensics, web design, or any world language course offered.
How to Prepare for the John Hopkins University CTY Programs?
If you are a parent considering enrolling your child into a JHY CTY program, your child will most likely be taking the SCAT exam. The SCAT exam is divided into three different tests based on a child’s grade level, which include a SCAT Elementary Test, a SCAT Intermediate Test, and a SCAT Advanced Test. These tests each include a Verbal Section and a Quantitative Section that conduct in-depth analysis on children’s learning abilities. The test may require students to identify similarities between words or use mathematical reasoning to compare word problems.
The best and easiest way to prepare for the SCAT exam is through the utilization of practice exams and study guides. These online resources are available to everyone and include extremely useful sample questions that reflect the actual exam. Practice exams are a fantastic way to familiarize children with material that is not familiar to them. Practice exams also include question explanations that serve as an overview for why certain questions must be answered in a certain way. Explanations will overview every single answer option and explain why the answers are either reasonable or unreasonable. Children that repeatedly practice with practice exams are more likely to score higher on the aptitude test. John Hopkins University offers a variety of enriching and challenging programs that will surely aide your child intellectually. Make sure your child is qualified to enter one of these programs by helping them study and prepare.