"ERB" typically refers to the Comprehensive Testing Program (CTP), a standardized assessment produced by the Educational Records Bureau. Most independent schools administer the CTP once a year to track student progress against national and independent-school norms. It's not an admissions test — it's an internal measure — but strong scores can support applications and placement decisions.

Note: the same organization also produces the ISEE, which is an admissions test. The two are often confused.

ERB CTP Levels

There are eight levels, each targeted at one grade:

Format

The CTP measures verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, reading comprehension, writing mechanics, vocabulary, and mathematics. Section count varies by level, but older levels (CTP 4 and up) include:

• Verbal Reasoning

• Quantitative Reasoning

• Reading Comprehension

• Writing Mechanics

• Word Analysis / Vocabulary

• Mathematics

Schools administer the CTP on paper or online, usually over two days. Total testing time ranges from 2 to 4 hours depending on level.

Scoring

The CTP reports:

• Scaled score per section

• National percentile — compared to all US students

• Independent School percentile — compared to students at ERB member schools (a more selective group, so scores run lower here)

• Stanine (1–9) at both national and independent levels

Most independent schools care primarily about the independent school percentile and stanine, since that compares students to a peer group rather than a national average.

When It's Given

Schools choose their own testing windows, typically in spring (March–May). Students don't register for the CTP individually — the school coordinates it.

How to Prepare

Unlike admissions tests, the CTP is meant to measure unprepared baseline performance. Over-preparation isn't the goal. But students benefit from:

• Familiarity with the question formats (especially Verbal and Quantitative Reasoning, which don't look like schoolwork)

• Pacing practice under timed conditions

• Reviewing known weak areas — fractions, inference, vocabulary — rather than cramming

A handful of focused tutoring sessions in the weeks before the test usually make the biggest difference.

Prep with Matter

We help students build test-day comfort and shore up specific weak areas without disrupting the school year. See our ERB programs →