Purpose of Assessment
To help create the best match between a student's academic needs and the learning environment, some Center for Talent Development (CTD) courses have admission requirements. Standardized test scores are one method families can use to demonstrate readiness to succeed in the selected course.
Because many students, particularly young children, do not have the opportunity for testing within their schools, CTD offers achievement and school abilities testing. The testing done by CTD is not a general psychological evaluation. It provides a "snapshot" of a student's academic achievement and readiness for the CTD learning environment.
Any child from age 4 through grade 3 may register for the Kaufman Test of Educational Achievement (KTEA Brief). In select circumstances (students without access to other testing, international students, etc.), older students may be eligible to participate. Contact ctd-assessment@northwestern.edu for details.
Students taking the KTEA for program eligibility may also be given the Kaufman Brief Intelligence Test (KBIT) if their scores on the KTEA indicate a need for additional information. The KBIT is a brief, individually administered measure of verbal and nonverbal reasoning ability.
For very young children, parents should wait until their child is showing some familiarity with letters and numbers since a majority of the test battery will assess achievement related to this content.
CTD does offer courses during the academic year and during the summer that do not require test scores for participation, so please check the course description for the course to which you are applying for any eligibility requirements. This will help you determine what is needed to complete the application.
Please note that successful completion of an open-enrollment course, such as the Online Family Program does not qualify a student to enroll in future CTD courses as a pre-qualified participant. Students who complete a CTD open-enrollment course will be required to apply as a new student with test scores or an admission portfolio when applying for courses with eligibility criteria.
Registering for Individually Administered KTEA Testing (age 4 through grade 3)
To register for KTEA testing, you will need to create a new account in MyCTD, which is CTD's online system, or login to your existing account. After you create a student profile select the “Courses” tab at the top and search for the assessment for which you want to register.
Please note that KTEA test dates include a 5-hour window. Your student will be scheduled for a one-hour test session within that five-hour window. Your test consultant will contact you a week before your test date to confirm your specific time for testing within the window you selected.
Testing Locations
Test sites are available in Evanston, Illinois on the Northwestern Campus.
Cost for Testing
The cost for KTEA is $200. Fees are paid via credit card during the registration process.
If you have questions about the testing, call 847/467-1575 or e-mail ctd-assessment@northwestern.edu
If your child has an identified disability that requires an accommodation or if you have questions about the test environment and your child's needs, contact CTD for assistance. Please call 847/467-1575 or e-mail ctd-assessment@northwestern.edu to speak with a staff member.
We have updated our refunds and cancellations policy for assessment. See language here we use in emails:
Refund and Cancellation Policy: Because seats are limited, a license and space have been reserved for you. Since you are confirmed into a session, a $75.00 change fee/cancellation fee will be applied to requests made prior to 7 days before the test date. After that point, no changes, cancellations, or refund requests can be made. No shows and test day cancellations are not eligible for any refund.
On the day of the test, after the testing staff introduces themselves to the parent(s), the child will be asked to go to the testing room with the tester to complete the assessment (one-on-one for KTEA/KBIT). The parent is close by in the waiting area while the child is being tested. Parents may not be in the test room or participate in the test process.
For the KTEA, testing can take 20 minutes or less (for 4 or 5 year olds) or up to an hour (older children). Administration time will vary due to children's needs and the assessments administered. Scores will be available to CTD within 1 to 2 days for use in program applications. A written review of the test scores will be sent to parents, usually within four to six weeks after testing is complete.
For more information and assistance with selecting the correct test for your child, contact the CTD admissions and pathways advising office at ctd-assessment@northwestern.edu.
