Welcome to PSTK

 

Based on the CSTA education standards, Programming Skills Test for Kids (PSTK) is an international placement test for kids who are learning to program. Those who pass the test will be awarded an international certificate issued by Prof. Thomas Gold at the University of California Berkeley to prove that they have the corresponding computer software programming capabilities.

PSTK is focused on the Algorithms & Programming part of the CSTA standards. Students need to learn the core principles of developing their own algorithms and implementing them in the programming languages such as Scratch, Python, and C++ . The test covers variables, control, modularity, algorithms, applications, and computational thinking.

 

CSTA Standards

Certificate Verification

 

 

 

PSTK Home2

 

PSTK Implements the Practices from CSTA

 

 

K12 AIFostering an Inclusive Computing Culture

Building an inclusive and diverse computing culture requires strategies for incorporating perspectives from people of different genders, ethnicities, and abilities. Incorporating these perspectives involves understanding the personal, ethical, social, economic, and cultural contexts in which people operate. Considering the needs of diverse users during the design process is essential to producing inclusive computational products.

 

 

K12 AICollaborating Around Computing

Collaborative computing is the process of performing a computational task by working in pairs and on teams. Because it involves asking for the contributions and feedback of others, effective collaboration can lead to better outcomes than working independently. Collaboration requires individuals to navigate and incorporate diverse perspectives, conflicting ideas, disparate skills, and distinct personalities.

 

 

K12 AIRecognizing and Defining Computational Problems

The ability to recognize appropriate and worthwhile opportunities to apply computation is a skill that develops over time and is central to computing. Solving a problem with a computational approach requires defining the problem, breaking it down into parts, and evaluating each part to determine whether a computational solution is appropriate.

 

 

K12 AIDeveloping and Using Abstractions

Abstractions are formed by identifying patterns and extracting common features from specific examples to create generalizations. Using generalized solutions and parts of solutions designed for broad reuse simplifies the development process by managing complexity. Abstractions are essential in programming.

 

 

K12 AICreating or Developing Computational Artifacts

The process of developing computational artifacts embraces both creative expression and the exploration of ideas to create prototypes and solve computational problems. Students create artifacts that are personally relevant or beneficial to their community and beyond. Computational artifacts can be created by combining and modifying existing artifacts or by developing new artifacts. Examples of computational artifacts include programs, simulations, visualizations, digital animations, robotic systems, and apps.

 

 

K12 AITesting and Refining Computational Artifacts

Testing and refinement is the deliberate and iterative process of improving a computational artifact. This process includes debugging (identifying and fixing errors) and comparing actual outcomes to intended outcomes. Students also respond to the changing needs and expectations of end users and improve the performance, reliability, usability, and accessibility of artifacts.

 

 

K12 AICommunicating About Computing

Communication involves personal expression and exchanging ideas with others. In computer science, students communicate with diverse audiences about the use and effects of computation and the appropriateness of computational choices. Students write clear comments, document their work, and communicate their ideas through multiple forms of media. Clear communication includes using precise language and carefully considering possible audiences.