JATP Frequently Asked Questions
How do I prepare my child for testing?
All individual appointments are scheduled during the morning as young children are most alert during this period. Do not send preschool children to school before the appointment because this can result in over-stimulation or fatigue. Use your own judgment with school-age children.
Your child’s appointment will take approximately 60 minutes, depending on his or her cognitive tempo. Please do not schedule other appointments too closely around your child’s testing as individual differences among children produce some variability in the time required to complete the testing.
In order to ensure the comfort and confidence of your child, you should plan to remain in the waiting room during the appointment.
What do I tell my child about the appointment?
You will have to take into account his or her sophistication and curiosity. The following should give you some ideas. “Psychologists are thinking doctors They are interested in how children learn. In order to figure out how you learn best, they will ask you questions and ask you to look at pictures. They will spend about an hour with you. Some of it will be easy for you and some will be a little bit hard. You should just try your best on all the questions and problems; you are not expected to know everything they will ask you. Most children will enjoy it, and you probably will, too.”
“We are going to see someone who figures out how children learn best. This will help us decide upon the right school for you.” (Note: Do not say the tests have to do with a school’s decision about admission. Focus on your decision about the best school for your child.)
Please do not say that the psychologist will be playing games with your child. While some of the activities are game-like and fun, others require both effort and discipline. Although the materials and the tempo of the test are designed to appeal to children, the purpose of JATP testing is to help assess a child’s suitability for an accelerated curriculum.
For older applicants (if the above does not satisfy her or him):“Working with the psychologist is part of what we do to decide about a school. Do your best. Remember that even though you may do very well, there may not be a space available at the schools we are interested in.”
How do I apply to have my child tested in the JATP program?
Visit the JATP website (www.jatp.org) and download the fillable PDF application form. When you have completed all questions, save the PDF to your computer and email the application to the psychologist of your choice. You will receive a confirmation that the application has been received, along with instructions for completing the electronic payment. Upon receipt of your JATP registration and payment, the psychologist will contact you for an appointment. Testing of applicants begins in October, and early contact with the psychologist is encouraged. A JATP registration can only be submitted to one psychologist.
After setting the appointment with the psychologist, please “delegate” the psychologist in your Ravenna account so that test results can be entered into the system. This is done by entering the psychologist’s name and email in the appropriate field within any one of your school applications. A school application only has to be started (not necessarily completed) in Ravenna, and you only need to delegate the psychologist once. Parents do not receive test results until the delegation step is completed.
Test results will be transmitted electronically to the school(s) indicated on the registration through the Ravenna system. Parents will receive an overview of the test results (ability ranges only). If you would like further explanation of the test results and consultation regarding your child's performance, you may schedule a follow-up appointment for a standard JATP fee of $200.00. These consultations are provided as an additional service; they are not required by the JATP schools. The feedback session includes a written report, explicitly prepared for you, including all test scores that the schools receive and observations of your child during the assessment. In addition, follow-up consultations provide an opportunity for you to discuss with the psychologist related questions you may have about your child's development.
All individual appointments are scheduled during the morning as young children are most alert during this period. Do not send preschool children to school before the appointment because this can result in over-stimulation or fatigue. Use your own judgment with school-age children.
Your child’s appointment will take approximately 60 minutes, depending on his or her cognitive tempo. Please do not schedule other appointments too closely around your child’s testing as individual differences among children produce some variability in the time required to complete the testing.
In order to ensure the comfort and confidence of your child, you should plan to remain in the waiting room during the appointment.
What do I tell my child about the appointment?
You will have to take into account his or her sophistication and curiosity. The following should give you some ideas. “Psychologists are thinking doctors They are interested in how children learn. In order to figure out how you learn best, they will ask you questions and ask you to look at pictures. They will spend about an hour with you. Some of it will be easy for you and some will be a little bit hard. You should just try your best on all the questions and problems; you are not expected to know everything they will ask you. Most children will enjoy it, and you probably will, too.”
“We are going to see someone who figures out how children learn best. This will help us decide upon the right school for you.” (Note: Do not say the tests have to do with a school’s decision about admission. Focus on your decision about the best school for your child.)
Please do not say that the psychologist will be playing games with your child. While some of the activities are game-like and fun, others require both effort and discipline. Although the materials and the tempo of the test are designed to appeal to children, the purpose of JATP testing is to help assess a child’s suitability for an accelerated curriculum.
For older applicants (if the above does not satisfy her or him):“Working with the psychologist is part of what we do to decide about a school. Do your best. Remember that even though you may do very well, there may not be a space available at the schools we are interested in.”
How do I apply to have my child tested in the JATP program?
Visit the JATP website (www.jatp.org) and download the fillable PDF application form. When you have completed all questions, save the PDF to your computer and email the application to the psychologist of your choice. You will receive a confirmation that the application has been received, along with instructions for completing the electronic payment. Upon receipt of your JATP registration and payment, the psychologist will contact you for an appointment. Testing of applicants begins in October, and early contact with the psychologist is encouraged. A JATP registration can only be submitted to one psychologist.
After setting the appointment with the psychologist, please “delegate” the psychologist in your Ravenna account so that test results can be entered into the system. This is done by entering the psychologist’s name and email in the appropriate field within any one of your school applications. A school application only has to be started (not necessarily completed) in Ravenna, and you only need to delegate the psychologist once. Parents do not receive test results until the delegation step is completed.
Test results will be transmitted electronically to the school(s) indicated on the registration through the Ravenna system. Parents will receive an overview of the test results (ability ranges only). If you would like further explanation of the test results and consultation regarding your child's performance, you may schedule a follow-up appointment for a standard JATP fee of $200.00. These consultations are provided as an additional service; they are not required by the JATP schools. The feedback session includes a written report, explicitly prepared for you, including all test scores that the schools receive and observations of your child during the assessment. In addition, follow-up consultations provide an opportunity for you to discuss with the psychologist related questions you may have about your child's development.