What Parents Need to Know About Gifted & Talented Testing in 2025
What is the best age to test for giftedness?
The ideal age to test for giftedness is typically between ages 5 and 8, when children have developed enough verbal and cognitive skills for accurate assessment. However, signs of giftedness can appear earlier, and some experts may evaluate children as young as 3 if advanced development is clearly observable. Early testing helps guide educational planning and identify enrichment needs.
Gifted & Talented (G&T) programs aim to identify students who demonstrate exceptional ability or potential in one or more academic areas. For many parents in the United States, navigating the process of gifted testing can be confusing and stressful. With various assessments, criteria, and program structures across districts and states, it’s important to understand how the testing works, when it takes place, and how to help your child succeed without unnecessary pressure. This article provides a comprehensive overview of Gifted & Talented testing in 2025, from test types to preparation strategies, so you can better support your child’s educational journey.
What Is Gifted & Talented Testing?
Gifted & Talented testing is designed to assess whether a student exhibits advanced learning capabilities compared to their peers. School districts use these tests to determine eligibility for specialized G&T programs, which often provide enriched academic experiences, accelerated learning tracks, or differentiated instruction.
Students typically qualify based on their performance on standardized cognitive and academic tests. These assessments aim to measure intellectual potential, logical reasoning, problem-solving ability, and academic achievement. Some districts may also consider teacher recommendations, student portfolios, or classroom performance.
Common Gifted Testing Assessments in 2025
The types of tests used can vary significantly depending on the school district or state. However, several well-known standardized tests are widely adopted for evaluating gifted students:
1. CogAT (Cognitive Abilities Test)
The CogAT measures reasoning skills in three areas: verbal, quantitative, and nonverbal. It’s one of the most commonly used tools for G&T placement and is designed to identify students who may excel in abstract thinking and problem-solving.
2. NNAT (Naglieri Nonverbal Ability Test)
The NNAT focuses on nonverbal reasoning and pattern recognition. It’s especially useful for identifying gifted students from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds, as it minimizes language barriers.
3. OLSAT (Otis-Lennon School Ability Test)
The OLSAT assesses verbal and nonverbal reasoning skills. It’s often used in conjunction with achievement tests to give a more rounded view of a child’s capabilities.
4. State or District-Specific Tests
Some states or school districts use their own proprietary assessments or a combination of national and local tests. For example, New York City previously used the NYC Gifted & Talented Test, which included components of the OLSAT and NNAT.
5. Achievement Tests
Tests such as the Iowa Assessments or Stanford Achievement Test may be used to measure a student’s academic performance compared to grade-level expectations.
When and How Gifted Testing Happens
Gifted & Talented testing typically occurs during the early elementary school years, often in kindergarten through 3rd grade. However, some districts also conduct screening at later stages, especially if a student shows exceptional ability later in their academic career.
Key Steps in the Process:
Referral: Parents, teachers, or school administrators can recommend a student for testing.
Permission: Parental consent is usually required before a child is tested.
Screening: Some schools begin with a short screening test before proceeding to a full evaluation.
Testing Window: Most schools administer tests between fall and spring, with results used for placement in the following school year.
Notification: Families receive test results along with information about whether their child qualifies for the G&T program.
How to Prepare Your Child Without Pressure
While G&T testing can feel like a high-stakes experience, it’s important to approach preparation with balance and positivity. The goal is not to “teach to the test,” but to help your child build confidence and critical thinking skills that will serve them beyond testing.
1. Introduce Logic Games and Puzzles
Encourage activities like Sudoku, crosswords, pattern recognition puzzles, and brain teasers. These stimulate the kind of abstract reasoning tested on assessments like the CogAT and NNAT.
2. Read Regularly and Widely
Reading a variety of books helps expand vocabulary and comprehension, both of which are key in verbal reasoning sections. Ask your child open-ended questions about what they read to strengthen analytical thinking.
3. Practice with Sample Questions
Several educational websites and publishers offer practice materials for the CogAT, NNAT, and OLSAT. Work through these questions together in a fun, low-stress way to build familiarity.
4. Focus on a Growth Mindset
Teach your child that intelligence and skills can be developed with effort. Praise persistence and learning from mistakes rather than “being smart.”
5. Establish Good Test-Taking Habits
Help your child get comfortable with following instructions, working quietly, and managing their time—all of which are valuable skills for any standardized test.
Understanding the Results
Once your child completes the G&T assessment, you’ll receive a report showing their scores and eligibility status. Understanding these results can help you make informed decisions about next steps.
Score Components May Include:
Percentile Rank: How your child compares to other test-takers nationally
Standard Age Score (SAS): A normalized score based on age
Composite Scores: Combined scores across multiple subtests
A high score may qualify your child for a G&T program, while borderline results may still allow for inclusion depending on the district’s criteria and available slots.
If Your Child Qualifies:
You may be offered placement in a local gifted program or magnet school.
Additional assessments may be required before final placement.
Program options vary and may include pull-out sessions, full-time classes, or enrichment clusters.
If Your Child Does Not Qualify:
Consider retesting in future years if allowed.
Explore enrichment opportunities outside of school.
Advocate for differentiated instruction in your child’s current classroom.
Equity and Access Considerations
One of the biggest concerns in G&T testing is ensuring that all students have equitable access to identification and services. Research has shown that underrepresented minorities, English language learners, and students from low-income backgrounds are less likely to be identified for gifted programs.
What Parents Can Do:
Ask your school about universal screening, which tests all students rather than only those referred.
Request information on how your district ensures fairness in testing.
Advocate for culturally responsive and nonverbal assessments when needed.
Tips for Talking to Your Child About the Test
How you talk about the test can influence your child’s attitude and performance. Keep the tone light and positive:
Avoid saying it’s a test for “smart kids.” Emphasize effort, curiosity, and creativity.
Reassure your child that the test is just one of many ways people learn more about how kids think and learn.
Let them know it’s okay not to know all the answers—many questions are meant to be challenging.
Finding Support and Resources
Many parents seek additional support when preparing for G&T testing. Here are some ways to find help:
School Counselors and Teachers: They can provide insight into the testing process and your child’s readiness.
Online Practice Platforms: Websites like TestingMom and Hoagies’ Gifted offer practice questions and forums.
Local Parent Groups: Many communities have parent advocacy groups focused on gifted education.
FAQ
Most school districts begin testing students between kindergarten and 3rd grade. However, some programs allow testing later, especially if a teacher or parent notices signs of advanced learning.
Common tests include the CogAT, NNAT, OLSAT, and district-specific assessments. Some districts also use academic achievement tests like the Iowa Assessments in combination with cognitive tests.
Use light, low-pressure strategies like logic puzzles, reading, and sample test questions. Avoid over-prepping or stressing your child. Focus on building problem-solving skills and confidence.
If your child doesn’t qualify, they may be retested in a future grade (if allowed by the district). You can also seek enrichment opportunities outside school or request differentiated instruction.
Yes. Tests like the NNAT are nonverbal and designed to minimize language bias. Parents can ask schools about accommodations and culturally responsive testing practices.
Qualifying scores vary by district, but many programs look for scores in the top 2–5% nationally. Some use percentile ranks, while others rely on composite or standard age scores.
