Spatial Test Battery (STB)

Center for Talented Youth Learn more about your child s unique abilities Spatial Test Battery (STB) 2009-2010 STB Registration Bulletin l a n o i t i d y d t a i n n u A t r o opp ualify s to q gram ro p r fo

Spatial Ability What is spatial ability? Spatial ability is the ability to: understand and remember the spatial relationships among objects manipulate images in space visualize how separate parts of complex physical systems interrelate. This ability can be viewed as a unique type of intelligence, distinguishable from verbal, mathematical, and other forms of intellectual talent. How can spatial ability help me? Individuals with highly developed spatial abilities, those who can see patterns, will become more and more in demand. It has become increasingly clear that new technologies and techniques, especially in computer graphics, scientific visualization and medical imaging, require the ability to visualize and manipulate images in space. Spatial ability has long been recognized as a factor contributing to success in: medicine mathematics and statistics natural sciences engineering physics finance architecture and other fields of study. For example, visualizing the structure of complex molecules in chemistry, understanding the interactions of mechanical systems in engineering, and interpreting x-ray pictures in radiology, all require spatial ability. The Test The Spatial Test Battery (STB) was developed by The Johns Hopkins University Center for Talented Youth after seven years of research on the critical components of scientific innovation. Who is this test for? The STB is open to students in fifth grade and above. If you are interested in learning more about your spatial ability, you may enjoy taking this test. It is a test primarily for students who have an interest in, or demonstrated talents in, mathematical, computer, and scientific studies. However, it may also be of interest to students who excel in the arts and humanities, as it may reveal unrecognized talents of which the student is not aware. Along with an assessment of verbal, mathematical, and other forms of ability, the recognition of spatial ability provides a more comprehensive profile of talents that can be used for academic and career planning. Why should I take this test? There are many benefits of taking the STB. Taking the STB can: identify a previously unrecognized talent (one that is not assessed by most standardized tests). serve as a complement to your SAT or SCAT scores, school grades, and other documentation of academic ability. if you are a current year Talent Search participant, it offers you the opportunity to be recognized at a CTY awards ceremony, if qualified. increase your chances for eligibility for CTY s mathematics and science courses. assist you in making decisions about educational and career choices. Find out more at www.cty.jhu.edu/ts/stb_index.html How is the test different from the SAT, ACT, or SCAT? Unlike the problems in the SAT, ACT, or SCAT, the tasks in the STB are figural, not verbal or mathematical. The only text included in the STB is that of the instructions which tell you how the various types of items can be solved, and how to use the computer. The types of items on the test are described on pages 2-4. When taken in conjunction with the SAT, the STB has been shown to provide an enhanced prediction of success in CTY s mathematics and science courses. Therefore, in 1997, CTY expanded its eligibility criteria for academic programs in math and science to include a combination of STB and SAT scores. This expansion has continued. There is now an STB option for the ACT and SCAT. 1

Where is the test given? The test is available on the computer at Prometric Testing Centers. Is the STB a timed test? Yes. Each subtest will be timed separately. Within the subtests, easy tasks will come first and more difficult ones later. All items are multiple choice, and each task will have only one correct solution. Presentation of the items will stop when you have finished all the questions and passed the warning screen at the end of the subtest, or when the time allowed for the subtest is up. You will have a timer indicating the time remaining in the subtest and should pace yourself accordingly, remembering that later questions are more difficult. You may also skip tasks in the subtest and return to them later. If you wish to change your answer to a task that you have already completed, you may go back and do so. However, you may not move between different subtests you may work on only one subtest at a time. You will receive a warning screen before you exit a subtest. Once you pass this warning screen, you will not be able to go back. You cannot go back and change responses in a subtest once you have moved on to the next subtest. Before you start the test, you will be asked several background questions. The data collected from these questions will be used for informational purposes and will have no effect on your STB score. How long does the test take? Your appointment time at the test center will be for 2 hours; however, the actual test administration will not take that long. The actual time a student needs to take the STB varies greatly according to: (1) whether the Perspectives Test is given, (2) how fast the student works, and (3) the time needed to complete the tutorials. Some students manage to take the test in under 30 minutes. Testing times of more than 90 minutes are the exception. For a complete list of the number of items in each section and the maximum times allowed, please visit www.cty.jhu.edu/ts/stbtiming.html Is there a penalty for guessing? No. What is the test like? The STB is a collection of four subtests that assess various types of visual-spatial ability: Visual Memory Surface Development Block Rotation Perspectives (The Perspectives Test is not given to fifth and sixth graders.) I took the STB as a 5th or 6th grader. Can I use these scores as a 7th grade and above student to qualify for CTY Programs? No. Students who are 7th grade and above take a different STB exam and must qualify again. Following are sample items for each of the subtests. The items you see on the computer screen will be larger than those presented here. The purpose of the sample items is to familiarize you with the question types. The actual test will be more difficult. The solutions to these sample tasks are located at the bottom of the last page of this bulletin. Study the sample tasks carefully. In the test, detailed instructions will be given how to solve the tasks. However, it will be to your advantage to know the various item types beforehand, so that you can focus on the actual tasks in the testing situation. Please also visit cty.jhu.edu/ts/stb.html Visual Memory Test: Learning Phase In the Visual Memory Test: Learning Phase, you will have to memorize a number of irregular shapes, parts of which are blackened. Then, about 30 minutes later, after completing two other subtests, you will need to identify these shapes in sets of identical figures with different blackened parts. These could be some of the shapes you have to memorize: More samples and moving images can be viewed at cty.jhu.edu/ts/stbformat.html Remember that you will have to complete two other subtests before you are presented with the Visual Memory Test: Recall Phase to identify the shapes you memorized earlier. 2

Surface Development Test Item 1: Surface Development In the Surface Development Test, you will see irregular, flat shapes, such as pieces of paper or cardboard and boxes created by folding these shapes; it will be your task to find out what edges of the flat shapes correspond to what edges of the boxes. In the flat shapes, like those shown below, the solid lines indicate the edges of the shape, and the dashed lines show you where it can be folded. An arrow on each flat shape and on the respective box will help you to identify the orientation of the box relative to the shape. Item 2: Surface Development In the sample tasks on the right, try to find out what letters on the boxes correspond to what numbers on the flat shapes. Note that one letter may correspond to more than one number. Block Rotation Test In the Block Rotation Test, you will see objects of different shapes with cubes, cylinders, and other objects on them. The block in the upper left-hand corner is the model block. It is shown in a box to distinguish it from the other blocks. The other five blocks are answer choices, labeled A through E. Only one choice is exactly like the model block when rotated in space. The other four answer choices show a different block rotated to various positions in space. Your task is to identify which of the five answer choices shows the model block when rotated in space. Here are three sample tasks: Item 1: Block Rotation Item 2: Block Rotation A B C D E Item 3: Block Rotation A B C D E 3 More samples and rotating images can be viewed at http://cty.jhu.edu/ts/stbformat.html.

Visual Memory Test: Recall Phase Take a moment to remember the shapes from page 2. Don t look back now! Can you pick them out? This is how the shapes will be presented later among other figures: Item 1: Visual Memory Item 5: Visual Memory Item 6: Visual Memory Item 2: Visual Memory Item 3: Visual Memory Item 4: Visual Memory Note that these shapes will be presented only after you have completed the Surface Development Test and the Block Rotation Test. As you see, in the Learning Phase of this subtest, it is not important to memorize the order of the shapes or where they appear on the screen. The task is to memorize the contours of the shapes and where they are blackened. In the actual test, you will have to memorize 22 shapes (15 if you are a 5th or 6th grader). Use all of the time allotted wisely. Students who spend more time memorizing do better during the recall phase! Perspectives Test In the Perspectives Test, every task consists of two pictures of a fictitious constellation of stars. Some stars are dark, and others are light. All of the stars are the same size. Therefore, when some stars appear to be large, they are in the foreground; when others appear to be small, they are in the background. Depending on the perspective, some stars may be hidden behind others. The first picture always shows you the front view of the constellation. In the second picture, you will see the same constellation again, but from a different perspective. You are to determine from which perspective the constellation is shown in the second picture: from the right (as seen from the viewer), from the left (as seen from the viewer), from above, from below, or from behind. Please note that fifth and sixth graders will not be given this subtest when they take the STB. Here are three sample tasks: Item 1: Front View Item 2: Front View Item 1: View Item 2: View Item 3: Front View Item 3: View 4

Registering to Test How do I register to test? You must schedule an appointment with Prometric at a date and time convenient for you. Please consult the Test Scheduling Worksheet on the back page for detailed instructions. Are there provisions for students with disabilities? Yes. Here is the process: 1. Obtain a Nonstandard Testing Accommodations form from CTY (call 410-735-6278, e-mail ctyinfo@jhu.edu or download from cty.jhu.edu/ts/specacc.html). 2. Submit this form with documentation from a school official or other professional indicating a diagnosis and recommending accommodations to: Dr. Emiko Kasahara, fax: 410-735-6200 CTY Diagnostic and Counseling Center (DCC) McAuley Hall, Suite 400 5801 Smith Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21209 3. The DCC will then determine eligibility for the special accommodations request, and notify the parent within 10 days whether the request was granted or denied. 4. When the parent receives the approval from CTY, they will be given a telephone number to call to register through the Special Accommodations Department of the Prometric Call Center. Special accommodations test appointments can be difficult to obtain. Parents should call Prometric at least 30 days before their desired appointment date. What are the cancellation/rescheduling policies? Effective August 2009, when you call Prometric to schedule your appointment or schedule your appointment online your credit card is authorized and charged when you complete your registration. If you need to cancel or reschedule your appointment, you must do so at least 48 hours prior to your scheduled appointment to avoid financial penalties. To Cancel or Reschedule your appointment 48 hours prior to the appointment time, log onto www.prometric.com/jhucty/ or contact the Prometric Call Center at 1-800-688-5796 to speak with a Customer Service Representative. (Note: a message CANNOT be left on voice mail to cancel/reschedule an appointment.) If you Reschedule your testing appointment at least 48 hours prior to your scheduled appointment, you may do so without paying any additional fees. If you Cancel your testing appointment at least 48 hours prior to your scheduled appointment, you may do so and your account will be refunded within 10 business days of your transaction. Please note: If you do not receive a refund and you cancelled your appointment 48 hours prior to your appointment date please submit a refund request with Prometric to investigate. You can make this request online at: http://www.prometric.com/contactus/refundrequest.htm If you are not able to contact prometric at least 48 hours prior to your scheduled appointment to cancel or reschedule, you will incur financial penalties. If you contact the Prometric Call Center to reschedule your testing appointment LESS THAN 48 hours prior to your scheduled appointment, you will be charged a $38.00 reschedule fee, but you will not have to pay an additional test fee. If you contact the Prometric Call Center to cancel your test appointment LESS THAN 48 hours prior to your scheduled appointment, you will forfeit the test fee. If you arrive more than 30 minutes after your appointment start time, you will not be permitted to test. If you choose to schedule a new appointment, you will be charged a $38.00 reschedule fee, but you will not have to pay an additional test fee. If you missed your appointment and would like to reschedule, please contact the Prometric Call Center and ask them to reset your eligibility. You will then be able to schedule a new appointment and you will only be charged a $38.00 rescheduling fee. You will not have to pay an additional test fee. Contact Prometric Candidate Care: If you missed the appointment due to the child being ill or other extenuating circumstances, and you can provide a doctor's note/documentation to Prometric, you may not be required to pay the rescheduling fee. Any doctor's notes or documentation you are providing must be sent to the Prometric Candidate Care Department. If you are sending documentation to Prometric please: Contact the Candidate Care Department at 1-800-853-6769 to make them aware of the situation, prior to faxing your document(s) Include contact information when sending documentation to Prometric Fax your documentation to Prometric Candidate Care Department at 1-800-853-6781 Test Day What are the guidelines for taking the test? You will take the STB at a Prometric Testing Center. Upon arriving at the test center, you will check in and be assigned to a computer workstation. The Centers must maintain certain standards and test security when administering standardized tests. You should be aware of the following policies: The test rooms cannot accommodate anyone other than the testing candidates. Since administration times vary, parents may not leave the test center while their child is testing. You may not eat or drink in the testing room. There is no break during the test. All test rooms are videotaped as a security measure. No testing aids are permitted in the testing room. Prohibited aids include: scratch paper, pens, pencils, markers; notes, books, dictionaries; compasses, protractors, rulers; portable listening or recording devices of any kind, or photographic equipment; beepers, telephones, or watch alarms; calculators or computers. When will I get my results? Results are mailed 2 weeks after the test administration. 5

Computer-Based Testing Centers Listed below are the testing centers that are now available. There may be changes to this information. For an up to date list of test centers by state, and to schedule your testing appointment, please visit www.prometric.com/jhucty or call 800-688-5796. STATE SITE NAME SITE ID AK Anchorage 5210 AL Birmingham 5123 AL Dothan 2611 AL Huntsville 2618 AL Mobile 2601 AL Montgomery 2603 AR Arkadelphia 5308 AR Fort Smith 2801 AR Little Rock 5212 AZ Casa Grande 5189 AZ Flagstaff 5368 AZ Goodyear 0417 AZ Phoenix 0074 AZ Phoenix 2 0075 AZ Tempe 5143 AZ Tucson 5806 CA Alameda 0067 CA Anaheim 0081 CA Anaheim 2 0529 CA Camarillo 0502 CA Culver City 0001 CA Culver City 2 0002 CA Culver City 3 0591 CA Diamond Bar 0533 CA Fair Oaks 1 0053 CA Fair Oaks 2 0508 CA Fremont 5157 CA Fresno 5152 CA Gardena 0596 CA Glendale 5815 CA Glendale 2 5863 CA Lake Forest 0507 CA Lake Forest 2 0513 CA Rancho Cucamonga 0531 CA Redlands 0556 CA San Diego 0525 CA San Diego 2 0526 CA San Diego 3 0527 CA San Francisco 5849 CA San Francisco 2 5869 CA San Francisco/ Kearny Sutter 5185 CA San Jose 0008 CA San Jose 2 0014 CA San Jose 3 0047 CA Santa Rosa 0515 CA South San Francisco 0066 CA South San Francisco 2 5481 CA Van Nuys 5153 CO Colorado Springs 5116 CO Grand Junction 5307 CO Greenwood Village 0054 CO Greenwood Village 5812 CO Longmont 1220 CT Glastonbury 0048 CT Glastonbury 2 5480 CT Hamden 2403 CT Norwalk 2416 DC Washington 0062 DC Washington 2 5216 DE New Castle 5130 FL Coral Springs 0013 FL Coral Springs 2 5104 FL Boca Raton 5134 FL Davie 9074 FL Fort Myers 5022 FL Gainesville 0629 FL Jacksonville 0601 FL Maitland 0080 FL Maitland 2 5836 FL Miami 0070 FL Miami 2 0071 FL Sarasota 0623 FL Tallahassee 0617 FL Tampa 0657 FL Tampa 2 5006 FL Temple Terrace 0620 GA Athens 5803 GA Atlanta 0072 GA Atlanta 2 0073 GA Atlanta 3 5340 GA Columbus/ ColumbusState 5002 GA Macon 3012 GA Marietta 0024 GA Marietta 2 0026 GA Savannah 3007 GA Valdosta 3024 HI Honolulu 5103 IA Ames 5341 IA Bettendorf 3301 IA Iowa City 5005 IA Sioux City 5156 IA Sioux City 5506 IA West Des Moines 5140 ID Garden City 2000 ID Pocatello/ISU 5004 IL Carterville 3225 IL Champaign 3003 IL Chicago 0034 IL Chicago 2 0035 IL Chicago 3 0036 IL Chicago 4 0037 IL Chicago 5 5230 IL Deerfield 3203 IL Homewood 3209 IL Lombard 0076 IL Peoria 3207 IL Springfield 3204 IL Sycamore 3231 IN Carmel 5126 IN Evansville 1807 IN Fort Wayne 5310 IN Indianapolis 1800 IN Indianapolis/ Airport 1802 IN Lafayette 1810 IN Merrillville 5164 IN Mishawaka 1811 IN Terre Haute 1809 KS Hays/FHSU 5336 KS Overland Park 5338 KS Pittsburg/PSU 5132 KS Topeka 1504 KS Wichita 1502 KY Lexington 1104 KY Louisville 1101 KY Louisville 1102 LA Alexandria LA 5160 LA Baton Rouge 5233 LA Bossier City 1308 LA Metairie 0061 LA Metairie 2 5397 MA Boston 5135 MA Boston 2 5235 MA Brookline 5331 MA Brookline 2 5332 MA Burlington 5855 MA Lowell 5180 MA West Springfield 2517 MA Worcester 0005 MA Worcester 2 0006 MD MD Baltimore/ Canton 5001 Baltimore/ Woodlawn 5179 MD Bethesda 3512 MD Bethesda 2 0091 MD Columbia 0084 MD Largo 3514 MD Salisbury 3519 MD Towson 0092 ME Bangor 5119 ME Presque Isle 3402 ME South Portland 3400 MI Ann Arbor 0057 MI Ann Arbor 2 5478 MI Grand Rapids 2301 MI Lansing 2306 MI Livonia 2312 MI Livonia 2 2321 MI Sault Ste Marie 5305 MI Troy 2305 MN Duluth 0087 MN Edina 0064 MN Edina 2 0065 MN Rochester MN 5404 MN St. Paul 9703 MN St. Paul 2 9702 MN Woodbury 9056 MO Jefferson City 0718 MO Kansas City 5573 MO Lees Summit 0705 MO Springfield 0700 MO St. Joseph 0713 MO St. Louis 0702 MO St. Louis 2 0704 MS Jackson 3600 MS Tupelo 3603 MT Billings 3700 MT Helena 3702 NC Asheville 1608 NC Charlotte 0045 NC Charlotte 2 5475 NC Greensboro 0058 NC Greensboro 2 5474 NC Greenville 1618 NC Raleigh 0027 NC Raleigh 2 1602 NC Wilmington 1609 ND Bismarck 4301 ND Fargo 4300 ND Grand Forks 4302 NE Columbus 3805 NE Kearney 5108 NE Lincoln 3804 NE Omaha 3800 NE Scottsbluff 3803 NH Concord 5148 NH Portsmouth 4003 NJ Clark 5858 NJ Clark 2 5871 NJ Deptford 9064 NJ Fair Lawn 0033 NJ Fair Lawn 2 4119 NJ Toms River 4103 NJ West Orange 5190 NM Albuquerque 1900 NM Farmington 1906 NM Las Cruces 5183 NM Santa Fe 5184 NV Las Vegas 2201 NV Reno 2203 NY Albany 5110 NY Brooklyn 5203 NY Brooklyn 2 5204 NY Buffalo 4219 NY East Syracuse 4204 NY Lynbrook 4223 NY Melville 5823 NY Melville 2 5872 Penn Plaza_17 0040 Penn Plaza_17 2 0041 Penn Plaza_17 3 0042 Penn Plaza_17 4 0043 NY Midtown 5844 New York/ Midtown 2 5845 Midtown 3 5846 Penn Plaza_15 5856 Penn Plaza_15 2 5879 Penn Plaza_15 3 5880 NY Orchard Park 6101 NY Poughkeepsie 0085 NY Purchase 4203 NY Queens 0019 NY Rochester NY 4218 NY Vestal 0063 NY Westbury 4214 NY Westbury 2 4215 NY White Plains 5200 OH Beavercreek 1419 OH Cincinnati 0007 OH Cincinnati 2 0018 OH Cleveland 1406 OH Maumee 5808 OH Mentor 1427 OH Niles 1420 OH Stow 1402 OH Strongsville 1421 OH Worthington 1409 OH Worthington 2 1437 OK Oklahoma City 0902 OK Tulsa 5472 OR Bend 5007 OR Eugene 0110 OR La Grande 5009 OR Medford 5008 OR Portland 0105 OR Portland 2 0111 PA Allentown 1710 PA Clarks Summit 1736 PA Conshohocken 1701 PA Conshohocken 2 1702 PA Erie 1730 PA Harrisburg 1718 PA Harrisburg/West 5429 PA Lancaster 1731 PA Monroeville 0082 PA Philadelphia 0020 PA Philadelphia 2 1726 PA Philadelphia 3 0021 PA Pittsburgh 1705 PA Pittsburgh 2 1706 PA York 1733 RI Warwick 5805 SC Charleston 5102 SC Columbia 0049 SC Florence 5170 SC Greenville 2100 SC Greenville 2113 SC N. Augusta 5142 SC Rock Hill 5171 SD Rapid City 5155 SD Sioux Falls 4400 TN Chattanooga 1010 TN Clarksville 1011 TN Cordova 5479 TN Franklin 1018 TN Knoxville 1001 TN Madison 1015 TN Memphis 5226 TX Abilene 0335 TX Amarillo 0317 TX Austin 0010 TX Austin 2 0012 TX Beaumont 5128 TX Bedford 5302 TX Bedford 2 5303 TX College Station 5400 TX Corpus Christi 0329 TX Dallas 0051 TX Dallas 2 0377 TX Dallas 3 5811 TX Dallas 4 5862 TX El Paso 0344 TX Houston 0083 TX Houston 2 0307 TX Houston 3 0309 TX Houston 4 5117 TX Houston 5 5118 TX Lubbock 0077 TX McAllen 0078 TX Odessa 0367 TX San Antonio 0339 TX San Antonio 2 0342 TX San Antonio 3 5121 TX San Antonio 5339 TX Tyler 0079 TX Waco 0320 TX Wichita Falls 5124 UT Lindon 0090 UT St. George 4510 UT Salt Lake City 5343 UT Taylorsville 0086 VA Bristol 5174 VA Fairfax 0028 VA Fairfax 2 5365 VA Glen Allen 5112 VA Glen Allen 2 5115 VA Lynchburg 4723 VA Newport News 0059 VA Newport News 2 4709 VA Roanoke 4718 VT Williston 5209 WA Mountlake Terrace 0015 WA Mountlake Terrace 2 0016 WA Puyallup 0211 WA Spokane 0200 WI Brookfield 4902 WI Brookfield 2 4903 WI Madison 5323 WV Charleston 5224 WV Morgantown 5354 WY Casper 5000 6

Bring this sheet to the test. Test Scheduling Worksheet Before you call to schedule a test appointment, please use this sheet to write down the information you will need when making your appointment. Remember to call at least three weeks before your preferred date. You will be required to have your 7-digit Authorization Number from CTY before you call to schedule your STB appointment. Please call CTY at (410) 735-6277 or email ctyinfo@jhu.edu and ask for your child s STB Authorization Number. Record your 7-digit number here: 1. When do you want to test? (List three preferred dates.) Date(s): 2. What testing location would be convenient for you? (See list of centers on page 6.) Location: 3. Use your credit card or electronic check to pay the $75.00 STB fee. Card number Expiration date If paying by electronic check, have checkbook available when scheduling. 4. When you call, you will be asked to give your authorization number (see above) as well as information about yourself, including your name, birth date and address. 5. To schedule a test date, please use ONE of the following options: Online: Visit www.prometric.com/jhucty/and follow the prompts on the screen, selecting STB OR Telephone: Prometric Call Center: Call 1-800-688-5796 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. EST weekdays to schedule your appointment with a Customer Service Representative. 6. Please record the appointment information below. If you are not sure of the location of the test center, ask for directions when you schedule your appointment. ] Confirmation number: Test Date and Time: Test Center Address: Test Center Telephone Number: 7. Confirmation of appointment: If you telephone to schedule an appointment, this sheet will be your only confirmation. If you schedule an appointment online, you will receive an email confirmation. 8. Remember to bring this sheet signed by the parent/guardian to the test center on the day of the examination. On test day, arrive 30 minutes before your scheduled appointment. Please make sure the parent or guardian signs the statement below. I agree to have my child take the STB. Parent/Guardian signature Visual Memory Test: 1=E 2=A 3=C 4=B 5=D 6=B Surface Development 1: 1=B 2=H 3=E 4=H 5=J Solutions to the Sample Tasks Surface Development 2: 1=L 2=A 3=O 4=E 5=B Block Rotation: 1=A 2=B 3=A Perspectives: 1=Left 2=Above 3=Right