What Are the ERBs and Why Do They Matter?

What are the ERBs? 

The ERB-CTP (Comprehensive Testing Program), or more commonly referred in schools “ERBs”, are standardized assessments created by the Educational Records Bureau, an organization that works with independent and private schools, as well as some public schools.

These multi-subject tests are used to measure students’ academic skills in a variety of areas and are administered within schools over the course of a week in the fall or spring (or sometimes both!).

The ERBs are designed for students in academically rigorous environments and focus on how well students apply knowledge, think critically, and navigate complex material. 

Students are given the appropriate ERB-CTP Level according to their grade. For example, students in 3rd grade will take the Level 2 exam in the fall, or Level 3 in the spring after a full year of instruction. 

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The takeaways: 

• ERBs are designed specifically for students in independent schools.
• They measure reasoning, comprehension, and application rather than memorization.
• The questions are supposed to be more challenging than most state tests.

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Why do ERBs matter?

ERBs matter because independent schools rely on them for important academic decisions, including admissions, placement, and tracking student progress over time.

ERB scores also often show how students fare against a variety of normative groups, including the national population at their grade level, other grade-level independent-school students, and even within their own school. This granularity makes the results even more meaningful within the private school context. Because the questions emphasize careful reading, logical reasoning, and multi-step problem solving, ERBs also reflect the kinds of skills students need to succeed in demanding coursework in the years ahead.

ERB results from 3rd and 4th grade (CTP-3 and CTP-4) offer key insight into growth areas for students, while 5th grade ERBs scores (CTP-5) are increasingly important for middle school admissions. Learn more about how important 5th grade ERB scores are for middle school admissions.

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The takeaways:

• Independent schools use ERB results for admissions and placement decisions.
• ERB scores compare students to a highly academic peer group nationwide.
• The skills tested on ERBs align closely with long-term academic success.

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How We Help

At Mulholland Prep, we help students prepare for ERBs by building the underlying skills the tests are designed to measure.

The ERB-CTP is supposed to only contain material that students have already learned in school at the time of testing, but it doesn’t often play out that way due to the rigorous nature of the tests.

Our approach is about strengthening existing skills and filling in gaps in knowledge, in addition to teaching test strategy, time management, and building confidence. With an extensive workbook and personalized tutoring, we cover all the sections in depth – Vocabulary, Verbal Reasoning, Reading Comprehension, Writing Mechanics, Writing Concepts and Skill, Quantitative Reasoning, and Mathematics 1 & 2 – and help students develop strategies that transfer directly to their schoolwork, so ERB preparation supports long-term academic growth, not just test performance.

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The takeaways: 

• We focus on building strong academic skills in addition to helpful test tricks.
• We help students gain confidence with challenging questions and time pressure that helps them for future standardized tests.
• Our preparation supports classroom success as well as ERB performance.

Have questions about how the ERBs apply to you? Contact us or enroll today for personalized test prep. 

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