<p>I just took the SAT test today. I thought it was the hardest of the tests that I have taken (or it could have seemed that way because I was so stressed out. I never had test anxiety that bad) and there were like twelve middle schoolers taking the test. I saw them holding the CTY Talent search thing. The first parent I saw holding an envelope with CTY Talent search on the front made me think that the "talent" search was for like those wannabe models and actors and I was confused why she was carrying it to the SATs, but I didn't think that much of it. But then I saw more parents with it. I was just wondering what this actually was. Is this for gifted students? Are these the kids that are supposed to get like 1600s by the time they are in High School?</p>
<p>I'm not sure what the "CTY" thing is, but I took the SAT in 7th grade through Duke's TIP (talent identification program) and got a 1270. I think smart kids (top whatever percent) are recommended to the program by their guidance couselors...</p>
<p>If you do decent on it you get tons of mail inviting you to expensive summer programs... i never went because they were all thousands of dollars.</p>
<p>I felt really smart at the time but it's really just a ruse. I think colleges just do it to flatter the kids and try to get the smart ones interested in their school early in their college search process.</p>
<p>The CTY program allows students in middle school to take the SATs to qualify for summer programs and distance education courses based on SAT scores. Most people I know scored from 400-650 in each section in seventh grade</p>
<p>From their website:
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The Johns Hopkins University Center for Talented Youth recognizes children with above-average abilities. The top three percent of students nationwide who have taken standardized tests, are eligible to take part in thr world-renowned CTY Talent Search.</p>
<p>CTY has a 25-year history of recognizing and nurturing academically talented children. Since its founding in 1979, CTY has touched the lives of over one million children through its talent searches and academic programs.</p>
<p>CTY has grown to become a global leader in reaching out to young students with exceptional mathematical and/or verbal reasoning abilities.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>So, to answer your question, the kids you saw were above average but not necessarily 1600 material (nevermind the fact that they will be taking the New SAT when they get to High School). Three percent of students are eligible for CTY, but far far less that that make a perfect score on the SAT.</p>
<p>Oh, I did CTY when I was in middle school. You know when you take the standardized test at the end of the school year? (CAT6, STAR, ERB's, etc...) Well, if you scored 97% or higher on the math and/or language arts sections, you'd qualify for Johns Hopkins. Then if you want you can take the SAT's when you're in 7th or 8th grade. Some people do it in 8th. Some people do it in 7th. I took it in 7th grade. Anyway, you take the SAT to see how smart you are, I guess... Hamster, how'd you prepare for the SAT when you were in 7th grade???</p>
<p>
[quote]
Hamster, how'd you prepare for the SAT when you were in 7th grade???
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<p>I read a ton all through elementary and middle school which really helped me on the SC/CR aspects of the test.</p>
<p>I was also on my school's MATHCOUNTS team so I had plenty of experience struggling with math problems considered out of my league (I was in pre-algebra and MC is for kids up through Geometry, I think.)</p>
<p>The only real SAT prepping was done with Up Your Score: Underground Guide to the SAT [url=<a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0761133259/qid=1106446714/sr=8-1/ref=pd_csp_1/002-4799542-4952063?v=glance&s=books&n=507846%5Dlink.%5B/url">http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0761133259/qid=1106446714/sr=8-1/ref=pd_csp_1/002-4799542-4952063?v=glance&s=books&n=507846]link.[/url</a>] My mom bought it for me because she thought it looked much more engaging than the other SAT books. While it probably isn't the most thorough review book out there, it was great for me because the humor kept me interested; I actually wanted to keep reading it.</p>