Standardized Tests

The Comprehensive Test Program 4 (CTP 4) is administered to sixth-, seventh-, and eighth-grade students in the fall semester. The CTP 4 exam, published by Educational Records Bureau, is a series of tests designed to assess verbal and quantitative abilities and achievement through a multiple-choice format.

The major purpose of the testing program is to afford the Middle School faculty an opportunity to compare the effectiveness of the curricula in grades six, seven and eight. The national and independent school median norms allow each grade to monitor progress over the three years of the program. Because student assessment in Middle School is largely performance-based through written and spoken demonstrations of learning, another purpose of the testing program is to give students practice in taking multiple-choice tests in a low-risk and relatively comfortable setting. The scores are reported only to parents and are not released without their permission.

Parents should note that the CTP 4 is not a diagnostic testing instrument; it cannot evaluate a student’s learning difficulties. When a student’s score is lower than expected, school-family conferencing will determine if additional evaluation and attention would benefit the student.