Texas GT Identification (CogAT + Local Rubric)
How are students identified for gifted programs in Texas, and what role does the CogAT play?
Texas schools use a multi-criteria approach to identify students for Gifted and Talented (GT) programs, combining results from the CogAT (Cognitive Abilities Test) with a district-specific rubric that includes academic performance, creativity, and teacher input. This process ensures a well-rounded evaluation of each child’s abilities. On this page, you’ll learn how the CogAT works, how local rubrics are scored, when testing occurs, and how to access free CogAT practice questions to help your child succeed in Texas GT screening.
Texas GT Identification – CogAT & Local Rubric Explained
In Texas, students are identified for Gifted and Talented (GT) programs using a combination of cognitive assessments and local district rubrics. While the process varies slightly by school district, most Texas public schools rely on the CogAT (Cognitive Abilities Test) and additional evaluation tools such as academic performance, creativity, and teacher recommendations.
This multi-criteria approach ensures that gifted identification is fair, inclusive, and reflects a broad range of student abilities.
How Gifted Testing Works in Texas
Texas law requires school districts to use multiple measures to identify GT students. The most commonly used tools include:
1. CogAT – Cognitive Abilities Test
The CogAT assesses a student’s ability to reason and problem-solve in three areas:
Verbal reasoning
Quantitative reasoning
Nonverbal reasoning
CogAT is a nationally normed test and is a key component in the Texas GT evaluation process.
2. Local GT Identification Rubric
Each school district uses its own rubric to evaluate:
Test scores (CogAT and/or achievement tests)
Classroom performance or grades
Teacher observation checklists
Student work samples or portfolios
Creativity assessments
Students must meet district-specific cutoff scores on the rubric to qualify for GT placement. The rubric gives a weighted score based on each of the above categories.
When Does GT Testing Take Place in Texas?
Most Texas school districts screen for gifted students in kindergarten through 5th grade, although some offer testing in middle school as well. The testing process usually takes place in the fall or spring, depending on the district calendar.
Parents are typically notified and must give written permission before any GT assessment is administered.
What Is the CogAT Test Like?
The CogAT is broken into three batteries:
| CogAT Battery | Skills Assessed | Question Type Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Verbal | Vocabulary, sentence completion, verbal analogies | “Dog is to puppy as cat is to ___?” |
| Quantitative | Number patterns, equations, problem-solving | “Which number comes next: 2, 4, 8, ___?” |
| Nonverbal | Shapes, visual puzzles, figure classification | “Which shape completes the pattern?” |
Each section is timed, and the test is often administered in a group setting by trained school personnel.
How Are GT Students Identified in Texas?
Districts use a rubric score, often out of 100, combining:
CogAT percentile scores (commonly require 95th percentile or above in at least one area)
Teacher recommendation
Academic performance
Creativity rating
Parent input (in some districts)
Students who meet or exceed the rubric threshold are offered placement in the GT program, either in a pull-out, cluster, or full-time enrichment model.
Free CogAT Practice for Texas GT Students
Help your child prepare for GT testing in Texas with our free CogAT-style practice questions. These practice materials cover all three test batteries and simulate real test conditions, helping students:
Get familiar with test format
Practice logic, math, and verbal reasoning
Boost confidence before the official exam
Texas GT Identification – How the Score Works
In Texas, students are identified for Gifted and Talented (GT) programs through a combination of standardized testing and local evaluation criteria. The most commonly used cognitive test is the CogAT (Cognitive Abilities Test), and its results are integrated into a district-specific rubric that also includes academic and qualitative data.
1. CogAT Scoring Overview
The CogAT provides three types of scores:
Raw Score – Total number of correct answers.
Age Percentile Rank (APR) – Compares the child’s performance to other students of the same age nationwide.
Standard Age Score (SAS) – A normalized score with a mean of 100 and a standard deviation of 16.
Composite Score – An overall score combining the Verbal, Quantitative, and Nonverbal batteries.
Key Benchmark:
Students who score in the 95th percentile or higher in one or more batteries are typically considered for GT eligibility. However, this may vary by district.
2. Local GT Rubric Scoring
Each Texas school district uses a GT identification rubric to assign points across several categories. While scoring rubrics differ, most include:
| Component | Max Points Possible |
|---|---|
| CogAT or other ability test | 30–40 points |
| Academic performance | 20–25 points |
| Teacher recommendation | 10–15 points |
| Creativity/portfolio work | 10–20 points |
| Parent input (optional) | 5–10 points |
Passing Score:
A student typically needs to earn a total score above the district’s set cutoff (e.g., 80 out of 100) to be identified as gifted. Some districts weigh CogAT scores more heavily, while others give equal importance to classroom performance and creativity.
3. What Score Is Considered Gifted?
CogAT Percentile: 95th percentile or higher
Rubric Score: Varies by district, but typically 80% or more
SAS (Standard Age Score): A score of 125 or higher is often used as a gifted benchmark
Why Practice for the Texas GT Identification Test?
While the CogAT (Cognitive Abilities Test) is designed to measure reasoning ability—not learned knowledge—practice can make a big difference in how your child performs. The Texas GT identification process is competitive, and practicing the test format helps students approach it with confidence, focus, and familiarity.
1. Reduce Test Anxiety
For many students, the CogAT is their first experience with a formal, timed cognitive test. Practicing ahead of time:
Helps reduce stress on test day
Builds confidence with question styles
Encourages a positive testing mindset
2. Understand the Format
The CogAT includes unique question types across three sections: Verbal, Quantitative, and Nonverbal reasoning. These questions are different from typical schoolwork. Practicing helps students:
Recognize visual patterns
Understand analogies and number series
Follow multi-step verbal instructions
3. Improve Speed and Accuracy
Although ability tests aren’t based on curriculum, they are timed. Practicing allows your child to:
Work faster without rushing
Avoid careless mistakes
Manage their time more effectively during the real test
4. Strengthen Core Reasoning Skills
Even short practice sessions can sharpen important thinking skills such as:
Pattern recognition
Logical thinking
Problem-solving strategies
These abilities benefit not just CogAT performance but long-term academic success.
5. Stand Out in a Competitive Process
Texas GT programs often require a 95th percentile score or higher on the CogAT, along with a high composite score on the local rubric. A well-prepared student has a stronger chance of qualifying for gifted placement, especially in competitive districts.
Start Practicing Now – For Free
Explore our free CogAT-style practice questions to help your child get familiar with the format and build key skills. Whether your child is in kindergarten or upper elementary, we provide age-appropriate practice aligned with Texas GT testing standards.
Texas GT Identification – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Texas schools identify gifted and talented (GT) students using a multi-criteria approach. This includes a standardized ability test like the CogAT, plus a local rubric that may evaluate classroom performance, creativity, teacher recommendations, and other data points.
The Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) measures a student’s reasoning ability in verbal, quantitative, and nonverbal areas. It’s widely used in Texas as an objective tool to assess gifted potential regardless of academic background or language proficiency.
Most Texas school districts look for CogAT scores in the 95th percentile or higher in at least one or more subtests. However, GT placement depends on a total score from the local rubric, not the CogAT alone.
Each district uses a rubric that assigns points across multiple areas:
CogAT test scores
Academic grades or state test results
Teacher or parent recommendations
Creativity or portfolio assessments
Students must meet a minimum total score (often 80–100 points) to qualify.
GT screening usually takes place in the fall or spring, depending on the district. Parents are notified in advance and must provide written consent for testing.
Yes. While the CogAT measures reasoning rather than knowledge, practicing the test format helps reduce anxiety, improve focus, and boost performance. Your child can practice with free CogAT-style questions on our website.
Preparation should focus on pattern recognition, logic puzzles, and matrix-style practice questions. Use free Raven’s-style practice tests like those available on our website to build confidence and familiarity.
