Gifted and Talented Tests: A Parent’s Guide
Many school districts and boards screen children for gifted and talented programs using a reasoning test, often in the early elementary grades. These tests, such as the CogAT® in the US and the CCAT in Canada, usually look at three kinds of reasoning: verbal, quantitative (number) and nonverbal (shape). Because every district chooses its own test, grade and cut-off, the first step is to ask your school. After that, short and playful puzzle practice is the best way to help your child feel comfortable.
Ask your district first
Gifted identification is not the same everywhere. Before you do anything else, ask your school or the district’s gifted program coordinator:
- Which test is used, and in which grade?
- Is every child screened, or do parents or teachers need to request it?
- Is the test the only factor, or are teacher observations, grades or portfolios also considered?
- When will results be shared, and what happens next?
Some districts screen all children in a particular grade, while others test on referral. Knowing the process avoids unnecessary worry.
The three kinds of reasoning
| Area | Typical question styles | Practice |
|---|---|---|
| Verbal | Word analogies, sorting words into groups, finding the odd one out | Verbal Reasoning game, Synonyms and Antonyms |
| Quantitative | Number series, number puzzles and simple equations | Number Patterns, Thinking Skills game |
| Nonverbal | Shape patterns, figure matrices, paper folding and spatial puzzles | Non-Verbal Reasoning game |
CogAT®-style tests are designed to measure how a child reasons with new information, rather than what they have already learned in class. That is why familiarity with the question styles helps: a child who has never seen a figure matrix may freeze, even if they could easily reason through it.
How to help, the right way
- Keep it playful. Young children do best when practice feels like puzzles, not tests. Five to ten minutes is plenty.
- Ask “what is the rule?” For every pattern or analogy, let your child explain the rule in their own words.
- Mix question types. A verbal, a number and a shape puzzle in one session keeps things fresh.
- Read and talk. Rich conversation and reading aloud build vocabulary, which supports verbal reasoning.
- Play logic games. Sudoku for kids, building blocks, tangrams and strategy board games all build reasoning.
- Don’t over-prepare. The goal is familiarity and confidence, not memorizing answers. Heavy drilling can make children anxious and may not reflect the help they really need.
A sample weekly plan
| Day | About 10 minutes |
|---|---|
| Monday | Verbal Reasoning game, then make up an analogy together |
| Tuesday | Number Patterns: say each rule out loud |
| Wednesday | Non-Verbal Reasoning game |
| Thursday | Thinking Skills game or a Sudoku |
| Friday | Free choice of game, or a family board game |
| Weekend | Reading together, building and outdoor play |
Signs your child may enjoy extra challenge
Whatever the test result, you know your child best. Signs that they may enjoy more challenge include asking lots of “why” and “what if” questions, spotting patterns quickly, reading well beyond their grade, or getting bored with work that feels too easy. Share what you notice with your child’s teacher. Enrichment at home, such as library visits, puzzles, building projects and museum trips, is valuable for every curious child.
Getting used to timed questions
Screening tests are timed, and some children find it hard to work steadily without feedback after each question. For older children, try the Timed test button on our games: 15 questions in 10 minutes, with the answers revealed at the end. Use it only occasionally and once your child is confident, then look at any mistakes together. For younger children, untimed play is usually the better choice.
Keeping perspective
A screening result is one piece of information on one day. Children develop at different rates, and many districts offer more than one chance to be identified. Whatever the outcome, curiosity, reading and problem solving at home will keep your child growing. The gifted test practice page groups our reasoning games by type, and our guide on preparing for a selective or scholarship test has more general tips.
Success Tutoring is not affiliated with, endorsed by or approved by Riverside Insights, Nelson, Pearson or any school district or board. CogAT® is a registered trademark of Riverside Assessments, LLC. Test names are used only to describe the kinds of reasoning our original practice covers. Always check with your district for the latest details.
Frequently asked questions
What is on a gifted and talented test?
Most reasoning tests have verbal, quantitative (number) and nonverbal (shape) sections with multiple-choice puzzles such as analogies, number series and figure matrices.
Which test does my district use?
It varies. Ask your school or the district gifted program coordinator which test is used, in which grade, and whether other information is considered too.
Should my child prepare for a gifted test?
Light, playful practice helps children feel familiar with the question styles. Heavy drilling is not recommended, and practice cannot guarantee a result.
Are these official CogAT questions?
No. They are original reasoning puzzles written by Success Tutoring. CogAT® is a registered trademark of Riverside Assessments, LLC, and we are not affiliated with it.