Frequently Asked Questions:

How long will the testing last?

The session usually lasts around 30 minutes for three-year-old children and 40-60 minutes for all other ages. The length of the session depends on the pace set by the child and tester and is not indicative of the child’s performance on the test.

How can I prepare my child for the test?

Make sure your child gets a good night’s sleep and eats a healthy breakfast. Approach the testing in a relaxed manner while letting them know that they will be meeting with a person who works with young children. Most children enjoy the one-on-one attention and enjoy the variety of tasks presented to them. It is not helpful to tell your child that a person will be “playing games” with them as this often leads to disappointment when games are not offered. Tutoring is strongly discouraged. Previous exposure to the test materials invalidates test results and may lead to disqualification for your child.

Where will the testing session take place?

All testing sessions are held at the psychologist’s private office. You will be given directions to the office once your child has been assigned a testing time.

When will I be notified of my child’s test date?

Upon receipt of the registration form, the applicant is assigned a test date, time, and tester. Letters or e-mails notifying parents of this information are sent out within two weeks of receipt of the registration form.

What if the assigned date does not work for our child?

If at all possible, please try to keep the assigned date. If you must reschedule call or e-mail the CATS office as soon as possible to arrange a different time. If you cancel the appointment less than 24 hours before the scheduled time you will be charged a $50 rescheduling fee.

What if my child becomes ill on the morning of the test?

Please call both the CATS office and the tester’s office to notify them of the illness. The CATS office will return your call to reschedule. All rescheduling must go through the CATS main office. Individual testers will not reschedule your child’s appointment.

What if my child is shy and does not want to accompany the tester to the testing room?

Many pre-school age children are shy with strangers. All of the testers are highly experienced in working with young children. The tester will spend as much time as is needed to establish rapport in the waiting room before asking the child to go to the testing room. If your child refuses to accompany the tester to the testing room, arrangements can be made to reschedule the testing appointment. A $50 fee is charged for such rescheduling.

When will I receive the test results?

You will receive a summary of the test results by the second week in January if your child tested before January 1^st and by the second week in March if your child tested after January 1^st. No reports are mailed to parents until an application is completed at a participating school.

Should I be concerned if my child displays a large difference between his/ her Performance IQ and Verbal IQ?

Children display a variety of strength/ weakness patterns; parents should not assume that a difference in Verbal and Performance IQ’s is indicative of a learning problem. In fact, approximately 35% of 3-year-old applicants display a 15-point or more difference between Verbal and Performance IQ, while approximately 25% of 4-to 6-year-old applicants display a 15-point or more difference between Verbal and Performance IQ.

When do the schools receive the test results?

The schools to which your child is applying will receive the test results within three weeks of your child’s test date or sooner if the school is approaching admission deadlines.

Can I register by FAX?

No, all registration forms must be received by mail with a check for the $275 registration fee. Please do not send your registration form by certified mail or FedEx; the CATS office is not set up to receive mail which requires a signature upon receipt.

Can I hand deliver the registration form to the CATS office?

Absolutely, but please do not knock on the door to deliver the form. Simply place the form through the mail slot on the door adjacent to the waiting room entrance or slide the registration form under the interior waiting room door.

How do we apply for financial aid to cover the $275 registration fee?

CATS has a sliding scale fee based on income levels. If you would like to apply for financial assistance to help cover costs of the fee, please mail in the registration form along with your income tax statement from the previous year’s filings. The CATS office will assess a fee from $50 to $275 based on your income level.