The Study of The Study of Exceptional TalentExceptional Talent

Carol BlackburnCarol BlackburnJHU Center for Talented YouthJHU Center for Talented Youthwww.cty.jhu.edu/set/www.cty.jhu.edu/set/

SET / SMPYSET / SMPY

The Study of Exceptional Talent The Study of Exceptional Talent (SET) is a continuation of the Study (SET) is a continuation of the Study of Mathematically Precocious of Mathematically Precocious Youth (SMPY), begun in the 1970s Youth (SMPY), begun in the 1970s by JHU Professor Julian Stanley.by JHU Professor Julian Stanley.

Dr. Stanley pioneered the use of Dr. Stanley pioneered the use of above-grade-level tests to assess above-grade-level tests to assess the abilities of students who hit the the abilities of students who hit the ceiling on in-grade tests.ceiling on in-grade tests.

CTY and other Talent Searches are CTY and other Talent Searches are outgrowths of his work, giving the outgrowths of his work, giving the SAT to 7SAT to 7thth and 8 and 8thth graders. graders.

Imagine:Imagine: www.cty.jhu.edu/imagine www.cty.jhu.edu/imagine

Study of Exceptional Study of Exceptional Talent (SET) QualifiersTalent (SET) Qualifiers

Individuals who score Individuals who score ≥≥ 700 on 700 on SAT-M or SAT-V before age 13SAT-M or SAT-V before age 13

Since 1981, through CTY:Since 1981, through CTY: 3,885 qualified on Math score3,885 qualified on Math score 1,315 qualified on Verbal score1,315 qualified on Verbal score 423 qualified on both M and V423 qualified on both M and V

MalesMales FemaleFemale RatioRatio

MathMath 3,0693,069 816816 3.83.8

VerbalVerbal 648648 667667 1.01.0

BothBoth 293293 130130 2.22.2

M:F Ratio among M:F Ratio among SET Math QualifiersSET Math Qualifiers

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1982 1985 1990 1995 2000 2004

M:F

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SET Qualifiers haveSET Qualifiers haveWell Educated FathersWell Educated Fathers

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<CollegeCollegeMastersDoctoral

Most Asian SET Qualifiers Most Asian SET Qualifiers are First Generation are First Generation

Where Father was Educated

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Asian Cauc

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ChinaHong KongTaiwanIndiaUK or AustUSSRUSA

Increasing Number ofIncreasing Number ofMath Qualifiers per YearMath Qualifiers per Year

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1985 1990 1995 2000 2004

Avera

ge #

of SET Q

ualifiers

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Math Verbal Both

More Math Qualifiers per More Math Qualifiers per Year, not More TestersYear, not More Testers

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# p

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Math Qualifiers CTY Talent Search

# of Math Qualifiers per # of Math Qualifiers per Year by EthnicityYear by Ethnicity

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# p

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Asian Caucasian Total CTY

Change in Ethnic Change in Ethnic Composition of Composition of SET Math QualifiersSET Math Qualifiers

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1985 1990 1995 2000 2004

Perc

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of SET M

ath

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Asian Caucasian

New Web Site ProjectNew Web Site Project

Grant for a new Web site and Grant for a new Web site and online community for “the world’s online community for “the world’s most profoundly gifted scientists most profoundly gifted scientists and mathematicians under age 18.”and mathematicians under age 18.”

In development now.In development now. No URL yet, but please check No URL yet, but please check

http://cty.jhu.edu/set/tws.htmlhttp://cty.jhu.edu/set/tws.html for updatesfor updates

Will strive to complement what Will strive to complement what www.artofproblemsolving.comwww.artofproblemsolving.com is is doing for math students, for a doing for math students, for a broader math/science communitybroader math/science community

Your help will be very welcome!Your help will be very welcome!