Grade 7 Frequently Asked Questions
Eligibility and Enrollment
- Who is eligible to participate in the talent search?
- My school does not participate, or I am home schooled—how can I get an application?
- What is my school ID?
- What's the registration deadline for the 7th grade Talent Search?
- What are the benefits of participating in the 7th Grade Talent Search?
- When should I worry that I haven't received any follow-up information from my application?
Testing and Test Day
- What type of preparation does TIP recommend before taking the test?
- If I have not received or have lost my Admission Ticket, what should I do?
- If I have not received or have lost my Talent Search SAT or ACT Identification Form, what should I do?
- I did not get the test center I requested. What can I do?
- Do I need a Picture ID to test?
- When do I need to arrive at the test center?
- What do I need to bring with me on test day?
- How can I let my school know my scores?
- How can I let my local newspaper know about my participation in the Talent Search?
- Does Duke TIP release information to outside parties?
- How can I let Duke TIP know if my address changes?
TIP Option
Eligibility and Enrollment
Who is eligible to participate in the talent search?To be eligible a student must:
- Be a current 7th grader either in public, private, or home school.
- Live or attend school in Duke TIP's 16-state region (see map and list of states).
- Have scored at the 95th percentile or higher on a grade-level standardized achievement, aptitude, or mental ability test (see qualifying tests).
My school does not participate, or I am home schooled—how can I get an application?
- Complete the online application, or
- Request an application at information@tip.duke.edu, or call the Duke TIP office at (919) 668-9100 Monday-Friday 8-5 p.m. EST.
What is my school ID?
The Duke TIP School ID consists of six numbers and two letters. To obtain your school ID number, check with your school's Duke TIP Coordinator, or contact Duke TIP at information@tip.duke.edu or call the Duke TIP office at (919) 668-9100 Monday-Friday 8-5 p.m. EST.
What's the registration deadline for the 7th Grade Talent Search?
See the Enrollment Process and Fees page for paper application and registration deadlines.
What are the benefits of participating in the 7th Grade Talent Search?
Each registered student who completes the SAT or ACT receives the items listed on the benefits page.
When should I worry that I haven't received any follow-up information from my application?
You should receive an information packet within 5 weeks of submitting your application. Contact Duke TIP immediately at (919) 668-9100 Monday-Friday 8.00 to 5.00pm EST, if you have not received it within that time. Online applications are processed daily so the turnaround time will be much shorter.
Testing and Test Day
What type of preparation does Duke TIP recommend before taking the test?
Duke TIP does not recommend that students take part in excessive test preparation. Talent Search testing is diagnostic in nature. Unnecessary anxiety is often the only obvious result from some preparation programs. It is sufficient to be familiar with the structure of the test and guessing strategies as presented in the test information booklet and to complete the practice test provided.
If I have not received or have lost my Admission Ticket, what should I do?
Admission Tickets are generated and mailed directly from the testing organization. Please contact ACT at (319) 337-1270 or SAT toll free at (866) 756-7346 for your registration number and test center assignment.
If I have not received or have lost my Talent Search SAT or ACT Identification Form, what should I do?
Download a replacement SAT or ACT ID form here or request a replacement from the Duke TIP office by e-mail at information@tip.duke.edu or phone (919) 668-9100 Monday-Friday 8-5 p.m. EST.
I did not get the test center I requested. What can I do?
Test centers are assigned by the testing organization (SAT or ACT) based on the choices submitted on your application. If your first and second choice test centers are full, you will be assigned by the testing organization to the closest available test center. Contact ACT (319) 337-1270 or SAT toll free at (866) 756-7346 regarding test center assignment changes or availability.
Do I need a picture ID to test?
No, once a student has registered with the Talent Search, Duke TIP will provide ID forms that are approved by the testing organizations for Talent Search purposes. You do not need any other identification.
When do I need to arrive at the test center?
Both ACT and SAT ask students to arrive at their assigned center by 8:00 a.m. Be sure to check your admission ticket for specific information.
What do I need to bring with me on test day?
Students must have the Admission Ticket and Talent Search Identification Form in order to be admitted to the test center. Students should also bring two sharpened number 2 pencils, an eraser, and an approved calculator.
How can I let my school know my scores?
Scores for all Talent Search students are reported to Duke TIP by the testing organization. Once the scores are received for all testing dates, Duke TIP will generate and mail a report to each school and district that lists the participating students and their scores.
How can I let my local newspaper know about my participation in the Talent Search?
All participants, regardless of their scores, are encouraged to seek media coverage independently for their Talent Search participation. To assist you in this process, a press release describing the talent search and your participation is linked here. Please feel free to submit this press release, along with information about yourself, your interests, and your achievements (as you and your family see fit) to your local newspaper(s).
Does Duke TIP release information to outside parties?
Based on feedback from students and parents, most families would like to receive information about educational opportunities. Therefore, Duke TIP will release name and address information to very select organizations who, we feel, will provide a unique educational opportunity. Score information is never released. Duke TIP is very careful in its release practices and releases information only for educational purposes. If you do not want to receive information about educational opportunities, just shade in the appropriate bubble in Section 13 of the Talent Search application.
How can I let Duke TIP know if my address changes?
In order to receive your admission ticket and the Talent Search benefits, it is important that your address be up-to-date in our database. Should your address change or you notice an error in your address, you can update it on the Student Update form. Or you may contact our office via mail or phone to make address corrections. In some instances, you may also need to correct your address directly with the testing organization.
TIP Option
If my grade-level scores do not meet the qualification for the 7th Grade Talent Search, is there any other way I can participate in the program?
Yes, Duke TIP allows students to join the program independently. This independent registration method is called TIP Option. Students who are served by TIP Option include:
- Seventh graders who want to be involved with Duke TIP but do not qualify for the 7th Grade Talent Search;
- Seventh graders who qualify for the 7th Grade Talent Search but missed the application deadline or test dates;
- Students in grades 7, 8, or 9 living outside Duke TIP's 16-state Talent Search region;
- Students in grades 8 and 9 who want to take the SAT or ACT and report their scores to Duke TIP and receive mailings.
Download the TIP Option application form here (*pdf)>
*Acrobat Reader needed to view and print PDF files.
