Frequently Asked Questions
ATS entrance assessments measure foundational early‑childhood skills across four rigorously validated domains: Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, Early Literacy, and Mathematics. Together these domains provide admissions teams with a holistic view of a child’s cognitive readiness and academic potential while remaining developmentally appropriate for Pre‑K through 1st Grade applicants.
The assessment is web‑based and will run on any modern device—laptop, desktop, Chromebook, or tablet—with a stable internet connection and an up‑to‑date browser (Chrome, Safari, Edge, or Firefox). For the most intuitive user experience we recommend an iPad or comparable touchscreen tablet (minimum 9″ display) equipped with wired or Bluetooth headphones so that students can hear the built‑in audio prompts clearly.
Within 24–48 business hours of testing, ATS posts official score reports to the school’s secure online portal; a notification email is sent as soon as the files are available for download. Reports include scaled scores, percentile ranks, and section‑by‑section performance indicators. Schools determine whether to release these reports directly to parents or to convey results through their own communications process.
The length of each assessment is calibrated to the developmental stage of the applicant:
Pre‑Kindergarten: 48 items ≈ 15-20 minutes
Kindergarten: 60 items ≈ 20–25 minutes
1st Grade: 72 items ≈ 30-45 minutes
The platform is self‑paced; students may progress faster or slower than the averages above, and proctors can extend the default timing window to meet a school’s accommodation policies. Total session time—including log‑in, instructions, and wrap‑up—typically ranges from 25 to 45 minutes.
Yes. Because each student works on an individual device with headphones, schools may administer the assessment to small groups or entire classes in a single session.
ATS allows official score reports to be released—at no additional charge—to any partner school designated by the family or the original testing school. Written authorization from a parent or guardian is required before results are shared, ensuring compliance with privacy regulations and school confidentiality policies.
ATS does not lease or rent hardware. Schools are responsible for providing compliant devices that meet the technical specifications outlined. If additional equipment is needed, ATS can supply a recommended vendor list and a detailed device‑readiness checklist.