What Is NUMATS Should You Participate

What Is NUMATS Should You Participate SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips In this guide, I'll be discussing NUMATS or Northwestern University's Midwest Academic Talent Search Program.NUMATS provides advanced tests to younger students to find their academic strengths and weaknesses and to suggest academic supplements to help these gifted students thrive. Depending on your score on the test, you may be offered a chance to attend one of theirsubprograms. While you can read all about this programon the NUMATS website, the information can be difficult to dissect. For this reason, I’ve gathered all the necessary information and put it into this easy-to-read guide. I recommend reading the entire guide, but I’ve created a Table of Contents that lists the specific sections to help you find whatever information you need. What IsNUMATS? What Do You Do in the Program? Why Should You/Your Child Participate? How To Apply and Application Requirements How Much Does ItCost? Tips on How to Get In What Is the NUMATS Talent Search? What Do You Do in the Program? NUMATS is a program that offers advanced children above-grade-level testing to accurately measure their academic strengths. Depending on how well they perform on the tests, there may also be other programs available toparticipants. While students are already tested in school, if you or your child scores above the 90th percentile on their standardized tests, the scoreisn’t telling you what your child knows beyond what was covered on the test.NUMATS provides students with theopportunity to take certaintests years before they normally would. For example, the EXPLORE test, typically given in eighthgrade, is offered to students in grades three through six, and the ACT andSAT, typically taken in 10th or 11th grade, areoffered to students in grades six through nine. After studentstake one of thetests, theyreceive recommendationsonareas theycan improve in, and, depending on their score, theymaybe offered an invitation to participate insupplemental programs.These supplemental programs include online, weekend, and summer programs. Supplemental programs offer advanced, unique courses to students that allow them to be appropriately challenged and learn more about a subject of interest to them. Some supplemental programs last onlya single weekend while others run formultiple weeks or weekends. Supplemental programs canbe online or in-person classes, depending on the specific course. Who’s Eligible for the NUMATS Program? Students in grades three through nine who meet one or more of the following criteria can enroll in the program: Participated previously in NUMATS or another talent search program. Qualify for their school’s gifted program. Be recommend bya teacher or parent, based on their exceptional verbal or mathematical reasoning skills, consistently high level of performance on demanding coursework, or repeatedrequests for more challenging academic experiences. Meet grade-level assessment criteria in either verbal/reading or math on a nationally normed or state achievement test. What Are the NUMATS Test Dates for 2015-16? EXPLORE, SAT, and ACT tests are offered through NUMATS year round. There are test centers throughout the US, so you can participate in NUMATS no matter where you live.You can search for a test date at a test center near you through the NUMATS website. Why Should You Participate in NUMATS? When you participate in NUMATS, you’re provided with test preparation materials.After you take atest and receive your scores, you’ll get recommendations for selecting future classes and extracurriculars in math, science, social science and the humanities based on your scores. Also, you’ll receive instructional resources for use at home and in the classroom.For high scorers, there will be an award ceremony at Northwestern with scholarships presented to first-place scorers. Depending on your score on the tests, you may receive invitations toNorthwestern’s other gifted programs. As I mentioned before, these programs include online, weekend, and summer programs, and are offered to students ages 4 through 17. Through these supplemental programs, students cantakeadvanced, unique classes that allow them to be appropriately challenged and learn more about a topicof interest to them. However, ifyou live far from Northwestern, you may be limited to participating in online and summer programs. These courses can help you connect with other gifted students and will push you to rise to your full potential. In addition, you get to test out subjects you're interested in (such as playwriting or rocket science) at a young age to see if you might want to pursuea career in that field. It's great to get this exposure at a younger age rather than wasting time and money in college debating what you should major in. For students in high school, you also can get access to AP courses online for which you can get college credit. If you've never heard of AP, learn more about AP classesin our other guide. I’d highly recommend doing NUMATS if you qualify and can afford it. How To Apply and Application Requirements You apply through the NUMATS website by creating an account. The application requirements are the same as the eligibility requirements listed above. As I said before, you need to meet one of the following requirements and provide proof in your application: Previously participated in NUMATS or another talent search program Participate in the gifted program at your school Meet grade-level assessment criteria in either verbal/reading or math on a nationally normed or state achievement test Can provide a teacher or parent letter of recommendation stating you’re performing at a consistently high level in verbal/reading or math. How Much Does NUMATS Cost? The exact cost of taking the NUMATS test is $74-93.50, depending on which test you take. This feecovers the cost of taking the test and the cost of the NUMATS program (which includes access to all of the benefits listed above in the Why Participate section). Is There Financial Aid? How Do You Apply For It? Yes, NUMATS offers need-based financial aid only for applicants whoqualify for other federally subsidized programs (such as the National School Lunch Program).Financial aid can be requested when you register for NUMATS online. To apply for financial aid, you must submit a letter stating you meet the financial aid eligibility criteria. The letter must be written on school letterhead and signed by a school official. Here is an example of a financial aid eligibility letter.Submit the letter to NUMATS by your chosen test's registration deadline.Fax to 847-467-4283, email numats@ctd.northwestern.edu, or mail to NUMATS Financial Aid, 617 Dartmouth Pl, Evanston, IL 60208. Tips on How to Get a High Score You should try to score high on your NUMATS test (EXPLORE, SAT, or ACT) because if you score high enough, you can qualify for the amazingsupplemental programsI mentioned above, as well as scholarships. First place scorers are invited to an award ceremony at Northwestern and presented with scholarships. Additionally,depending on your score, you could be offered grants to participate in the supplemental programs (mentioned earlier) in partnership with theJack Kent Cooke Foundation. If you’re hoping to do well in the NUMATS program, you’ll want to do a lot of EXPLORE, SAT, or ACT prep.We’ve got great resources to help you prepare for the SAT and the ACT. You should check out online resources for EXPLORE preparation or consider buying an EXPLORE prep book. What’s Next? Learn aboutother pre-college programs such as the Emory Pre-College Program. Not sure where you want to go to college? Learn how to do college research right.Not sure how you'll pay for college? Check out our guide to paying for college. Trying to decide where to go to high school? Learn how to compare high schools using SAT or ACT score. 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