Secondary School students - Talent Search

Secondary school applicants have the opportunity to take the ‘School and College Ability Test’ (SCAT). 

This test is an excellent indicator of outstanding mathematical and verbal reasoning ability, as well as writing skills, at a young age.

In order to be eligible to participate in Talent Search, students must:

• Be aged between 12 and 16 years.
• Attend secondary school in Ireland (for students who are still in primary school please check our young student assessment.

Previous Talent Search qualifiers have been shown to have some of the following characteristics:

• A recent standardised aptitude or achievement test report showing a 95th percentile or higher national percentile score, relating to mathematical and/or verbal reasoning abilities, for example, Drumcondra Reasoning test).
• Evidence of notable achievement at regional or national level in a competition, reflecting high ability in an academic area, for example, Young Scientist of the Year competition.
• Outstanding aptitude in either mathematical or verbal reasoning, or both.
• Excellent ability in written work and/or spoken vocabulary.
• Exceptional interest in one area of knowledge or speciality.
• Enjoys intellectual challenge and possesses an ability to work things out in their head.
• Lively and original imagination.

The SCAT test papers are scored in the US. It takes six to eight weeks for test results to be sent to students following the exam. Please note that the Talent Search fee is €60.

Talent search locations

• Cork
• Dublin
• Galway
• Limerick
• Sligo
• Waterford

Qualification through psychological evaluation (dropdown)

If a student has taken part in an educational psychologist's assessment, they may submit a copy of the educational psychologist's report for evaluation in lieu of taking part in the CTYI Secondary School Talent Search. 

Reports must be submitted no later than four years after the date of the educational psychologist's assessment. 

If the applicant has not taken part in an educational psychologist's assessment or their assessment is more than four years old, and they do not intend on participating in an educational psychologist's report in the future, please check the application by secondary school talent search.

Applying through psychological evaluation

Complete and attach a Talent Search application form (there is no need to tick a test date or location). 

Include a copy of the educational psychologist’s report

Include an online card payment for €60 (secondary school - Older).This payment covers the interpretation fee. You can follow the instructions on how to make your online payment here. 

If your child does not qualify for the programme based on the educational psychologist’s report, the fee can be used towards an assessment in any of our centres.

Talent Search conditions

The information in the Talent Search brochure is intended as a guide only and shall not be deemed to constitute a contract of the terms thereof between the University or CTYI and a student or any third party. 

All CTYI test centres are contingent on minimum numbers,so there is a chance that you may not be allocated to your chosen test centre. 

In this instance, you will be allocated to your nearest available Centre.