Demystifying the JATP
If you’re reading this, more than likely, you’re considering a new school home for your Lower School kiddo next year. We recommend that families give themselves 6-12 months of runway to fully investigate their options. For families with Lower School learners (grades K-5), a standardized cognitive test is required for all applicants. We strongly encourage parents to understand the “BTH” of paperwork and portals before the flurry of Open Houses even hits. By getting ahead of things like JATP registration and Ravenna, families are able to put themselves in a strategic position going into an-already stressful season of the holidays (which, coincidentally, is when the bulk of Open Houses are).
Today, we want to demystify the angst and stress surrounding the Joint Admissions Testing Program (JATP), a required standardized cognitive test for grades K-5.
What Is It?
• AAAIS (Atlanta Area Association of Independent Schools) has partnered with member psychologists to streamline the admissions process as best they can--by establishing a Joint Admissions Testing Program (JATP) for applicants in grades K-5. This evaluation meets the testing requirements of JATP member schools and can only be administered once per twelve months.
Expert Tip: Before the flurry of the holidays (and before Atlanta-Area psychologists get booked up), we strongly encourage families to make an appointment as soon as possible. Lean into the understanding of what time of day your child performs best—is it early morning before school? Right after lunch? Book an appointment accordingly.
How Much Is It?
Get in with an early bird discount! Testing applications received by December 8th are $210. Afterwards, test fees increase to $240. An optional feedback session fee runs at $200.
Expert Tip: We strongly encourage families to opt in for the feedback session. Not only is this session a thorough explanation of the score report that has been sent to chosen schools, but it’s a unique opportunity for a peek into how your child learns and views the world. What a gift!
Who Are the Member Schools?
• Atlanta Area Member Schools Include: Galloway, Heritage Prep, Holy Innocents', Lovett, Mount Vernon Presbyterian, Pace Academy, St. Francis Schools, St. Martin's, Trinity, Walker School, Wesleyan, Westminster, and Whitefield.
Expert Tip: Check on Ravenna if your selected schools require the JATP Registration Form, a common downloadable form that asks for your signature to release score reports from the child psychologist on your child’s behalf to denoted schools.
How Do I Register?
JATP testing for applicants interested in the 2020-2021 school year begins in October! JATP registration can be submitted at any time. Just remember that no school will consider a JATP evaluation until application has been completed (this is the first step).
Expert Tip: Knock this off your to-do list first! If you have a Lower School learner, the JATP registration should be one of the first things you tackle on your list.
1. Registration and payment for testing is electronic. From the JATP website, download the PDF registration form, complete information, save to your computer, and email completed PDF directly to the psychologist of your choice. Remember to indicate school(s) of your choice and respond to all questions and information on your form. You may only submit JATP registration to a single psychologist.
Expert Tip: We cannot ethically endorse a single psychologist, but the JATP website includes a list of Atlanta-area experts who administer this test. Realize that the JATP is not a coachable test and if a psychologist expects that any tutoring or prep work has been done to prepare the student prior to the evaluation, such will be noted on the report.
2. The psychologist will contact you for an appointment (upon receipt of your registration and payment). All testing appointments are made by individual psychologists--not by schools. Testing begins soon for the 2022-2023 school year. There is truly no advantage to waiting later in the school year under the guise that your child will be "older and more mature." Norms of the standardized tests used in JATP compare students within a narrow age range. Waiting until closer to the admissions deadline will just increase stress and may limit your appointment options.
Expert Tip: Get in with the Early Bird discount and select your psychologist today!
3. After confirming your testing appointment, add your psychologist's information directly in your Ravenna account. Enter your psychologist's name and contact information 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 add the psychologist one time. You will not receive test results until this step is completed.
4. Results of testing is sent electronically to the school(s) indicated through the Ravenna system. January 28, 2023 is the earliest deadline for test results to be received by the schools.
Expert Tip: We require that all WLG families be completed with their supplemental materials by 11/18. However, there are outstanding requirements (such as AAAIS evaluation forms and, in some cases, JATP results) that may bleed into the New Year. However, our strategic approach is unique in that we aim to get all loose ties finished up by the holidays to eliminate stress on each family.
5. Expect to receive results and test score summary by email or mail (postmarked within 10 days after testing).
Expert Tip: If families do not elect to pay for the optional feedback session, they can still expect to receive an update by email that the psychologist has sent in their child’s test score summary and results to the selected schools.
All information for registration can be found directly on the JATP website.
What Can I Expect?
Cognitive evaluation is based on a single, one-to-one interaction of approximately 35 to 90 minutes on a particular day in a student’s life.
From the JATP website: During a JATP appointment, a licensed psychologist will administer a nationally standardized measure of cognitive functioning and mental ability on a one-to-one basis. Your child will be involved in many tasks that measure verbal, visual, and visual motor abilities. Depending on the child’s age and individual variation, testing time may range from approximately 35 to 90 minutes. After the test, parents will receive a summary of scores and each school will receive a more detailed report. To receive the detailed report and more fully understand your child’s results, we recommend scheduling the optional feedback session with the psychologist for further interpretation.
Research suggests that there are many kinds of intelligence and types of learning styles, so reports from the JATP testing must be kept in perspective. Many subjective variables which affect the scores can be present in young children. Mental ability tests of any kind – individual or group – measure convergent thinking (where there is generally only one acceptable answer), not divergent thinking (which leads to multiple answers and is often exhibited by highly creative children).
How Can I Prepare?
The JATP is not a "coachable" test. Rather, the evaluation is designed to give schools a glimpse into your student's critical thinking and problem solving skills. Tutoring and coaching are not ethical forms of preparation for this type of test. But, rest assured, there are still some things you can do as a parent to help your child on this aspect of admissions:
- Make sure your child has a good night's sleep the night before the test
- Give your child a hearty breakfast the day of the test
- Try not to stress about the JATP. Children feed off their parents' energy, emotions, and anxiety. Try to de-emphasize the "magnitude" of the JATP and instead, tell your child exactly what the process will be like--a conversation and experience with a new friend who will guide your child through discussions, activities, and puzzles.
- Remember that the JATP is merely one aspect of the entire admissions portfolio. Feel free to discuss with each school how the JATP will be used in the application process. Recognize that each school has its own guidelines for admissions, including observations, interviews, and past school performances.
- Please, please, please reschedule the JATP testing date if your child is sick, ill, overly tired, or otherwise inconvenienced. You want this snapshot to offer the most accurate description of your child's thinking and reasoning. The member psychologists are understanding and accommodating. Especially if you start the process early, you have more "wiggle room" should something come up on testing day.
- Take the time to understand the score summary and schedule a post-test appointment with your chosen psychologists (for an additional fee) for more detailed feedback.
Who Should I Contact If I Have Additional Questions?
The chairmanship of JATP rotates every two years among member schools. The Chair for the 2022-2024 term is Holy Innocents’ Episcopal School. Please contact Director of Enrollment Management, Dr. Beth-Sarah Wright, if you have questions regarding JATP, its policies, or procedures.