Gifted Children Test Prep

Gifted and Talented Practice Tests for 2024.

Find the most complete preparation for your child's upcoming test, including MAP and CAT4 practice simulations and explanations.

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Prepare for the 2024 Testing Season

Gifted and Talented programs and schools are becoming increasingly popular across the United States. These programs are very challenging: they are taught at a faster pace, cover more material, and delve deeper into educational content. In order to be admitted, children often need to take a gifted program test.

In the United States, policies for gifted program admissions may vary based on state, city, or school district. Often, gifted tests are administered to all students in a certain grade. In some instances, a teacher or parent nominates a student believed to be gifted, and refers the student to take a gifted children test.

Gifted programs and schools are becoming increasingly more competitive from year to year, as outlined in a recent article in The New York Times:

"Nearly 5,000 children qualified for gifted and talented kindergarten seats in New York City public schools in the fall, 22 percent more than last year and more than double the number four years ago, setting off a fierce competition for the most sought-after programs in the system. Out of the children that qualified, not all were granted a spot in a NYC gifted school."

With increasing competition, it is important to make sure that your child is prepared when test day arrives. TestPrep-Online provides thorough, realistic preparation material for some of the most common gifted children tests, such as the Otis-Lennon School Ability Test (OLSAT), Naglieri Nonverbal Ability Test (NNAT), Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT), New York City Gifted & Talented Test (NYC G&T), and the School and College Ability Test (SCAT).


What Is the CogAT?

The Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) is a multiple choice, primarily nonverbal test used to assess cognitive development among children in grades K-12. It is often used for admissions into gifted and talented programs in the US. The test is comprised of three batteries: the Verbal Battery, the Quantitative Battery, and the Nonverbal Battery. These batteries evaluate specific reasoning skills in order to predict future academic success. The CogAT assesses one's problem solving abilities, cognitive development, and the ability to learn new tasks.

In Canada or the UK? Check out our information on the CCAT & CAT4!

CogAT Sample Question

Choose the word that best fits the group:

jaguar   leopard   cougar

Wrong

Wrong

Wrong

Correct!

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View Explanation

The correct answer is D: lion. These are all animals belonging to the biological family of cats.

 


What Is the OLSAT?

The Otis-Lennon School Ability Test (OLSAT) is a multiple choice test frequently used to identify students who are gifted and talented. Programs and schools for gifted and talented children frequently use the OLSAT to assess scholastic achievement among students. The test consists of verbal and nonverbal questions, both of which evaluate a student's ability to handle academic tasks. The purpose of the OLSAT is to assess memory, the ability to see relationships and patterns, and speed of thought.

OLSAT Sample Question

Lucy’s mom gave her twenty dollars to pay for her haircut. If Lucy paid twelve dollars for the haircut, gave the hairdresser a three dollar tip, and bought her mom a flower for four dollars on the way home, how much money did she have left?

Wrong

Correct!

Wrong

Wrong

Wrong

View Explanation

The correct answer is B-$1. The amount of money Lucy had left is equal to the amount of money she started with minus the amount of money she spent: 20 – 12 – 3 – 4 = 1. Lucy started with $20. First, Lucy paid $12 for her haircut. After she paid $12 she was left with $20 - $12 = $8. With the $8 Lucy had remaining, she gave the hairdresser a $3 tip and was then left with $8 - $3 = $5. With the $5 Lucy had remaining , she bought her mom a flower for $4 and was left with $5 - $4 = $1.


What Is the NNAT?

The Naglieri Nonverbal Ability Test (NNAT) is a nonverbal test that assesses general ability and is often used to identify gifted and talented children. The NNAT questions are made up of symbols and/or shapes, require few instructions, and evaluate nonverbal reasoning and problem solving abilities in children aged 5 to 17. Since the NNAT requires minimal use of language and does not require reading, writing, or speaking, it is considered to be culturally neutral. The test utilizes abstract shapes and designs, allowing for unbiased scoring, regardless of the student's primary language as well as academic and socioeconomic background.

NNAT Sample Question

Select the option that best completes the pattern in the empty space of the 3x3 grid.

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Wrong

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Correct!

View Explanation

The correct answer is 5.

Across every row, the yellow part of the shape gets larger by ¼ of the shape. For example, in the top row: In the left frame, the yellow part looks like a ¼ moon. In the middle frame, the yellow part is a ½ moon. And in the right frame, the yellow part is a ¾ moon. In the bottom row, the yellow part is at first ¼ circle. In the next frame, the yellow part is ½ circle. The last (missing) frame, should contain a yellow part that is ¾ of the circle. We can eliminate answer choices 1, 3, and 4, because they have yellow parts that are smaller than ¾ of a circle.

Additionally, the yellow part just gets larger, it doesn't rotate. We can further eliminate answer choice 2, because the circle also rotated 90°.

We can also look at this another way. In every row the right and left frames are mirror images, and they swap colors. For instance in the middle row, the left frame contains a square with a yellow ¼ on the left side, and the right frame contains a square with a blue ¼ (color swap), on the right side (mirror image). We can eliminate choice 2, because it swaps colors, but it is not a mirror image of the left frame.

We are left with answer choice 5, which is the correct answer.


What Is the NYC G&T?

The New York City Gifted & Talented Test (NYC G&T) is administered by the NYC Department of Education (DOE) to students aged 4-7 for entry into grades K-3. The test assesses New York City children to determine eligibility for NYC Gifted & Talented programs and schools. The test is made up of nonverbal questions from the NNAT and verbal questions from the OLSAT.


What Is the SCAT?

The School and College Ability Test (SCAT) is an above-grade level test administered by the Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth (CTY). The test is comprised of a verbal section and a quantitative section. All questions are multiple choice, and the test itself is computerized and available at computer test centers. The SCAT is used by CTY to identify gifted youth who demonstrate high academic potential. CTY offers various programs for gifted youth.

SCAT Sample Question

Which column is bigger?

Wrong

Wrong

Correct!

Wrong

View Explanation

The correct answer is C. In order to solve rate of travel problems we can use the formula: distance = rate × time. In this question both columns require the time, so we can use the formula as: time = distance ÷ rate. In column A, the train is traveling 60 mph. Mph stands for “miles per hour”. We can put all the numbers in the formula. Time = 210 miles ÷ 60 miles per hour. 210 / 60 = 3.5 Time = 3.5 hour. In column B, the boat travels 3 miles per minute. Note that here we would have to convert the answers in both columns to the same unit of time. Time = 630 miles ÷ 3 miles per minute. 630 / 3 = 210 Time= 210 minutes. To convert minutes to hours, we need to divide it by 60. 210 / 60 = 3.5 The time it takes the boat is also 3.5 hours. Therefore, the part in column A (3.5 hours) is the same as the part in column B (3.5 hours).


School Districts and their Gifted Tests

Below you will find links that lead to free sample tests that are commonly used in each school district for admission into G&T programs.

Texas Gifted & Talented Tests - STAAR, OLSAT, CogAT, and ISEE

Ontario Gifted & Talented Test - CCAT

Florida Gifted & Talented Test - CogAT, OLSAT, and NNAT

Georgia Gifted & Talented Test - CogAT

NJ Gifted & Talented Test - CogAT

As you can see above some school districts have several testing options. to know which one your child will take, you should ask your school directly what test is used.


Gifted and Talented Practice at TestPrep-Online

TestPrep-Online is a global leader in test preparation. We are proud to provide high quality products for a low, affordable price. Give your child a competitive edge by preparing them for the OLSAT, NNAT, CogAT, NYC Gifted and Talented Test, or SCAT.

All of our study packs include realistic, full-length gifted and talented practice tests, detailed answer explanations, and thorough progress reports at the culmination of every test. Additionally, many of our premium packs include video tutorials and hundreds of additional sample questions. Our interactive online interface is easy to use, child-friendly, and readily accessible. 

TestPrep-Online is here to help your child practice and prepare for gifted and talented testing. Browse through our grade-specific practice resources, which are immediately accessible online.


Learn More About Gifted Testing


Chinese SCAT & Korean SCAT


More Information On Gifted Tests