1. Informational Meeting for Parents and Students
DUKE TIP
Informational Meeting for Parents and Students

2. What is the Talent Search?
Program designed to identify academically advanced students
Eligibility is based around scores at the 95th percentile on reading/math STAAR scores from grade 6 or educator recommendation
Provides identified students the opportunity to take either the ACT or the SAT as an above-level test
Gives insight into their abilities
Gives opportunities to preview a college entrance exam

3. What are the participation benefits?
Above level testing gives greater understanding of the extent of academic abilities
Information is helpful in planning an appropriate course of study for high school and beyond
Score reports:
One compares student scores to recent U.S. high school graduates
Results summary compares scores to other DUKE TIP students—provides recommendations to share with teachers on approaches to classroom instruction
ensights online newsletter contains articles on college preparation, academics, enrichment and stories about other GT students
Guides to colleges/universities, summer programs, and academic competitions
DUKE TIP’s Independent Learning to supplement classroom endeavors and provide enrichment opportunities
Opportunities to participate in summer studies and eStudies at Duke University

4. What are the long term benefits?
Birdville ISD : Advanced Academic Goals
Each year, 2% of graduating seniors will attain some type of National Merit recognition
Each year, the average SAT and ACT scores of graduating seniors will exceed the national averages.
Early exposure to above level testing using college entrance exams will help inform students and help them reach their fullest potential on college entrance exams taken in high school.
Use with counselors will help students select the most appropriate pathways of study
Use with teachers will help engage students in the most appropriate delivery of instruction
Scholarship money through NMSP, corporate scholarships and learning institution scholarships open doors to the most renowned institutions such as
University of Oklahoma (313), University of Chicago (299), Harvard (240), University of Southern California (235), Vanderbilt University (237)
Stanford (188), Yale (180), Northwestern (167), Texas A&M (162), Princeton (151), MIT (142)
* 2014 entering freshmen class

5. ACT or SAT? ACT (No Writing) SAT
2 hours, 55 minutes
215 questions
2 hours, 45 minutes
153 total questions
4 sections: English, Mathematics, Reading, Science
2 sections: Critical Reading and Writing and Mathematics, NO Science
36 possible points on each section
800 possible points on each section
No penalty for guessing: fill in all the answers
Recommend limited test preparation: students should be familiar with the structure of the test they choose, the timing of each section, and recommended “guessing strategies” for each test. Students may opt to complete the practice test provided by DUKE TIP, but there is no need to pursue extensive test preparation. This test should be diagnostic in nature—don’t stress out the kids!

6. Getting Ready Details: https://tip.duke.edu/node/1379
Test Day Items
Getting Ready Details:
ACT
SAT
ACT admission ticket /7/ACTID.pdf
ACT Talent Search Student Identification letter
2 sharpened number 2 pencils
An approved calculator
Snack/drink for breaks stored out of sight
SAT admission ticket /7/SATID.pdf
SAT Talent Search/SAT ID
2 sharpened number 2 pencils
An approved calculator
Snack/drink for breaks stored out of sight

7. Fees and Financial Aid
$75.00 pays for one test administration and enrollment in the talent search throughout high school.
Students who qualify for free and reduced lunch can receive a grant to reduce the fee to $30.00.
Complete the enrollment form sent by the Academic Coach at your school
Submission information for online or paper enrollment is available at

8. https://tip.duke.edu/ Questions?
All information contained in this power point presentation was obtained from for the purposes of providing information to Birdville ISD parents of DUKE TIP nominated students.