CTP-5: Comprehensive Testing Program
Overview
The purpose of CTP is to assess student growth and performance at the time of testing. This enables the school to identify strengths and weaknesses at an individual and group level.
The Comprehensive Testing Program (CTP) is a rigorous assessment for high achieving students in areas such as reading, listening, vocabulary, writing, science (online only) and mathematics. Verbal and quantitative reasoning subtests are part of the CTP beginning in Grade 3. The CTP helps compare content specific, curriculum-based performance to the more conceptual knowledge base found in reasoning tests.
In 2018, the CTP 5 was launched to expand on CTP-4. It includes most of the CTP-4 materials, but also includes items at a higher depth of knowledge level, more conceptual understanding and problem solving in math and in language arts, an increased complexity, including nonfiction and inter-disciplinary content.
Timing
CTP is given either in the spring or in the summer depending on the school. The level of the CTP the school uses depends on the time of year your school is assessing its students. If the school tests within the fall window, the school will most likely use one level lower than the grade as they are testing content knowledge from the previous year. For example, Grade 5 will most likely use CTP level 4 within the fall window testing. If the school tests within the spring window, the school will most likely use the same level as the grade as the school is testing content knowledge from the current year. For example, Grade 5 will most likely use CTP level 5 within spring window testing.
For actual dates please contact your school or the ERB for more information.
Test Structure
The CTP covers 10 levels—from the spring of Grade 1 through the fall of Grade 11. For grade 3-11 it also includes two tests, which measure your child’s verbal and quantitative reasoning ability. At every level there are optional constructed-response questions, as well.
Content
Verbal Skills
The Verbal portion of the CTP test was created to assess the development of reading and language skills necessary for effective communication both in academic settings and in the world beyond the classroom. Below are the skills covered.
Word Analysis (specifically phonemic awareness for younger children and decoding skills through all grades)
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Auditory Comprehension
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Reading Comprehension
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Writing Mechanics
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Writing Concepts and Skills
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Verbal Reasoning
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Vocabulary
Mathematics Skills
The Mathematics portion of the CTP includes mathematics achievement, constructed response, quantitative reasoning and Algebra I tests, according to the child’s level. These tests include questions to assess your child’s conceptual understanding, procedural knowledge, and problem solving. Below are the skills covered:
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Number and Operations
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Algebra
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Geometry
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Measurement
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Data Analysis and Probability
Here is a link to the actual sample content from the ERB.
Administration
The CTP covers 10 levels—from the spring of Grade 1 through the fall of Grade 11. For grade 3-11 it also includes two tests, which measure your child’s verbal and quantitative reasoning ability. At every level there are optional constructed-response questions, as well.
Scoring
ERB produces two versions of parent reports for spring Grade 3 - fall Grade 11, and a separate Primary Grade Parent Report for spring Grade 1 - fall Grade 3. ERB also provides FREE parent interpretation guides for these reports. In addition, ERB provides a variety of individual level reports which can also be used with parents should the school determine they are appropriate. Click here to view all CTP report samples.