JATP Joint Admissions Testing Program FAQ

JATP Joint Admissions Testing Program FAQ The Joint Admissions Testing Program (JATP) offers an unbiased, consistently administered and evaluated assessment for students (rising K through grade 5) seeking admission to a consortium of private schools. The purpose of the testing is to help determine various cognitive strengths and weaknesses and to observe behavior patterns in a structured test setting. Individual schools also conduct specific testing and observation sessions to augment JATP reports and further rely on evaluations from teachers and administrators in order to select students for a specified number of spaces from a pool of applicants. The JATP offers a student an opportunity to be tested with one test during the course of one year for the intent of admission to a JATP school. The following are answers to frequently asked questions: Question: The deadline for testing through JATP is mid February. Is it best to wait until the deadline for a test date so that my child will be more mature? Answer: Actually, each child’s evaluation is based upon his or her age group – so waiting until the deadline for testing is not an advantage at all. In fact, the cold winter weather tends to bring about illnesses – so it’s recommended that parents register early and avoid having difficulty due to high demand at the time of the deadline. As your child matures, so do the others; waiting may actually be problematic due to the reasons listed above. Question: It would be helpful for me to have my child take the test without applying to a school; is it possible to take the test just for more information regarding my child’s academic potential? Answer: The purpose of the testing is for admission to a JATP school; therefore the scores must be reported to at least one JATP school. Question: My child’s scores don’t seem to reflect his/her current academic status. Should I contact the school(s) for more information or apply for a retest? Answer: Neither. As the schools did not administer the test, it is not possible for them to give adequate information that would be helpful to you. ALL of the JATP psychologists are available for a feedback session to offer insights that were observed during the testing procedure. The fee is consistently the standard fee charged for the testing. Retests are not permitted. A test may be scheduled once a year. Question: There are several businesses and schools advertising tutoring sessions or prepping for the JATP. Which ones do you recommend? Answer: None. Any establishment offering tutoring or prepping for the JATP has not been authorized nor sanctioned to perform such services. In fact, psychologists are to report to the schools any signs of coaching or tutorial support for the test. This is a very serious matter and is not taken lightly by the JATP psychologists and schools. Participating in such activities may actually severely limit your child’s admission possibilities. Testing in JATP is a cognitive process, not academic. Question: How should I prepare my child for the test? Answer: Make sure that your child is rested and fed before arriving at the appointment. Siblings may be a distraction, so it may be best to leave them under the care of another person. Your child will be tested one on one with a person similar to a teacher – with a variety of activities; the testing will provide information to parents regarding the way a student learns. Question: Is the deadline for JATP the same as the schools’ application deadlines? Answer: Not necessarily; each school determines an application deadline, so make sure that you have scheduled the JATP well in advance of those deadlines. Question: What are the policies regarding cancellations or forgetting the appointment? Answer: No show appointments will be charged the full amount of the testing, as well as those who cancel an appointment with less than 48 hours of notice. You will receive a refund (minus $25) if the appointment is cancelled at least 7 days in advance or a refund (minus $50) if an appointment is cancelled fewer than 7 days in advance. Question: If my child seems ill (or there are some unexpected events within the family) prior to the testing, should we just proceed as scheduled? Answer: Call and discuss the matter with the psychologist. Regardless of a full JATP schedule, the psychologist will accommodate sickness and unforeseen family emergencies (the more notice the better). Question: My child ran a fever and became ill within 24 hours after the testing appointment. How should this situation be handled? Answer: Immediately report any symptoms, doctor visits, or missed school to the psychologist so that the file may be documented. Question: What should I do if I am unhappy with my child’s experience in the psychologist’s office? Answer: First, contact the psychologist and address any concerns. A feedback session (fees will be consistent with the testing fee) may be helpful. If not, you may contact the JATP chairperson. The JATP results are just one part of a child’s application; re tests are not permitted.