Gifted and Talented Tests Online Preparation: Free Practice Questions & Tips – 2025

What Is a Gifted and Talented Test?

Gifted and talented tests, also known as G&T tests, gifted children tests, and gifted & talented tests, are a type of test that assess children’s aptitude for learning. A gifted and talented program is an opportunity for students who learn faster than their peers. Rather than holding children back and making them learn at a slower pace, these types of programs will allow them to learn more information by attending a specialized program that moves at a faster pace. Gifted and talented programs can be extremely competitive, where only a few of the highest-scoring test takers will actually gain admittance. This means that even if your child scores a relatively high score, they still may not be competitive enough.

In many cases, these gifted and talented tests will measure a child’s ability to quickly solve problems and identify shape movements within a matrix. Gifted and talented tests can be both verbal and nonverbal. It is important to note that each state, city, and school district will have different requirements and tests. In order to know which gifted and talented test your child will be taking, you must reach out to your school district and obtain that information.

What Skills do Gifted and Talented Tests Assess?

Gifted and Talented Tests look at how a child thinks and learns across multiple areas. Rather than testing classroom knowledge (like a history or science exam would), these assessments focus on innate reasoning and problem-solving abilities. Here are the core skill areas that most GT tests cover:

• Verbal Reasoning and Language Skills: This involves a child’s ability to understand and use language. Test questions might check vocabulary, comprehension, similarities and differences between ideas, or the ability to complete analogies. Strong verbal reasoning shows up when a child can quickly learn new words, grasp stories or instructions, and articulate ideas. For example, a verbal section might ask a child to pick the word that doesn’t belong in a group, or to finish a sentence logically. These questions measure how well kids handle words and verbal concepts.
• Non-Verbal (Visual-Spatial) Reasoning: Non-verbal skills are about understanding visual information and recognizing patterns. Many gifted tests include puzzles with shapes, pictures, or patterns that children must analyze. For instance, a test might show a series of shapes and ask which shape comes next, or present a pattern and have the student complete it. Solving these requires strong spatial reasoning (thinking about how objects relate in space) and abstract thinking. Non-verbal sections are great for identifying kids who might not be as word-oriented but can think logically through images and patterns. (The Naglieri Nonverbal Ability Test is one well-known example that focuses entirely on this kind of thinking.)
• Quantitative and Mathematical Reasoning: These questions measure how children understand numbers and logic. Even at young ages, gifted tests may include basic math concepts or logical sequences (like simple addition or recognizing number patterns). For older children, quantitative sections can involve arithmetic word problems, numerical puzzles, or concepts like balancing equations. The goal is not to test grade-level math knowledge per se, but to see if a child has an innate grasp of numerical relationships and problem-solving. A gifted child often spots mathematical patterns or can solve problems in creative ways that stand out from their peers.

It’s worth noting that some gifted assessments also look at memory, processing speed, or creativity, depending on the test. For example, an IQ test (like the WISC-V) might have tasks where a child memorizes a series of numbers (testing working memory) or solves as many simple problems as possible in a short time (testing processing speed). There are even specialized creativity tests (such as the Torrance Tests of Creative Thinking) for talent programs that emphasize creative ability. However, the majority of Gifted and Talented Tests will revolve around verbal, non-verbal, and quantitative reasoning skills, since those are strong indicators of a child’s overall learning potential. By assessing these areas, the exams paint a picture of how a child learns and where they excel.

What Are the Most Common Gifted and Talented Tests?

There are dozens of options for the type of gifted and talented test that your child may take. In some cities, schools are required to use a specific test. In others, schools can choose to use a standardized aptitude test that is commonly used nationwide. Here are a few of the most common gifted and talented tests that your child may be asked to take.

• CogAT Test: The CogAT Test, also known as the Cognitive Abilities Test, is one of the largest, standardized aptitude tests in the United States. This test is administered to children in kindergarten through 12th grade. The CogAT Test is divided into three batteries, including a Verbal Battery, a Nonverbal Battery, and a Quantitative Battery. Within each battery, there will be an additional three subsections that will conduct in-depth testing on a specific knowledge area. After the test has been completed, the scores from the test will be compared with other children that are three months in age, and each child will be assigned a Percentile Rank that will determine their eligibility for a gifted and talented program.
• CCAT Test: The CCAT Test, also known as the Canadian Cognitive Abilities Test, is a standardized aptitude test administered to children in kindergarten through 12th grade in Canada. The CCAT Test is almost identical to the CogAT Test. Each test includes a Verbal, Nonverbal, and Quantitative Battery that are also further divided into subsections. The difference between the CCAT and CogAT tests are the way they are scored. Instead of a Percentile Rank, students will receive an Age Percentile Rank and a Grade Percentile Rank. These two scores will show a comparison of how your student performed based on their age and grade level.
• OLSAT Test: The OLSAT Test, also known as the Otis-Lennon School Ability Test, is another large aptitude test that is administered to children in the United States. This test is administered to children in preschool through 12th grade, and includes OLSAT Levels A – G. The OLSAT Test only includes two sections: a Verbal Section and a Nonverbal Section. Each of these sections include subsections, and the Nonverbal Section also includes Quantitative Reasoning questions. Students will be assigned a Percentile Rank based on their performance on this exam.
• NNAT Test: The NNAT Test, also known as the Naglieri Nonverbal Ability Test, is a type of aptitude test that only measures the nonverbal abilities of children in kindergarten through 12th grade. The NNAT Test includes a Pattern Completion, Reasoning by Analogy, Serial Reasoning, and Spatial Visualization section. Depending on a child’s grade level, they may be asked to complete one or more of the sections. Students will receive a Percentile Rank score based on their performance on the NNAT Test compared with children of the same age.
• NYC Gifted and Talented Test: The New York City Gifted and Talented Test is an aptitude assessment strictly administered to children in NYC that are between 4 and 7 years in age. This test in unique in the sense that it uses testing material from two larger and well-known aptitude tests, including the OLSAT and NNAT tests. The NYC Gifted and Talented Test includes a Verbal and Nonverbal Section that also include several subsections. Students will receive a Percentile Rank based on how well they did compared to other students. Gifted and talented programs are extremely competitive in NYC. In recent years, only the top 99th percentile of students were admitted into these specialized programs.
• SCAT Test: The SCAT Test, also known as the School and College Ability Test, is a type of aptitude test administered to children that have applied for a John Hopkins University Center for Talented Youth (JHU CTY) program. This test is offered to children in 2nd grade through 12th grade, and is considered an above-grade level test. The testing material will include subjects that are typically taught at a higher grade level, which means that a 4th grader will be answering 6th grade-level questions. The SCAT Test includes a Verbal and Quantitative Section. Unlike other aptitude tests, in which the scores from both sections are combined together, the SCAT Test scores each section individually. Based on the section scores, students may be eligible for one or more JHU CTY programs.
• CAT 4 Tests: The CAT 4 Tests, also known as the Cognitive Abilities Test 4, is an aptitude test administered to children in the United Kingdom and Ireland. The test is used to admit children into gifted and talented programs, or simply to assess how a child is performing in school. The CAT 4 Tests are made up of four sections, including a Quantitative Reasoning Section, a Verbal Reasoning Section, a Nonverbal Reasoning Section, and a Spatial Ability Section. Each section will also have two subsections that ask in-depth questions about that specific subject. Students will receive a National Percentile Rank score that shows how well they did compared with other same-age students nationwide.

What Should You do Before Your Child’s Gifted and Talented test?

Preparation begins weeks or months before the gifted test, setting your child up for success and minimizing stress. Here’s how to prepare:

• Understand the Process and Timeline: Find out when and how your child will be tested, noting any deadlines for applications, paperwork, recommendations, or portfolios. Staying organized prevents last-minute stress and ensures your child’s opportunity to test.
• Identify the Test: Ask your school about the specific test or at least its type (IQ, achievement, reasoning ability, etc.). Knowing the test format helps you choose appropriate practice activities—like puzzles for nonverbal tests or mixed activities for exams such as the CogAT.
• Gently Explain the Test: Introduce the test positively to your child, especially younger ones, by calling it something fun like “puzzles day” or “brain games activity” rather than a test. The goal is to reduce anxiety and frame it as a fun challenge to show what they know.
• Moderate Practice: Familiarize your child with test-style questions and logic games in moderation, aiming to build confidence without creating anxiety or burnout. Avoid turning your home into an intense “test prep” environment; balance is key.
• Plan Test-Day Logistics: Confirm test-day details such as date, location, and format. Ensure your child gets adequate sleep, eats a healthy breakfast, wears comfortable clothes, and arrives slightly early. Pack a simple, non-messy snack if allowed; these small preparations greatly improve comfort and reduce stress.

What Happens During a Gifted and Talented Test?

On test day, your child will participate either individually or in a small group within a quiet, distraction-free setting. Younger children usually test one-on-one with an examiner who reads questions aloud, allowing verbal or pointing responses, while older students often complete multiple-choice tests independently using booklets or computers. Gifted tests typically include verbal, non-verbal, and quantitative sections, assessing various cognitive skills through puzzles, analogies, patterns, or logical reasoning tasks. Examiners carefully explain instructions before each part to ensure children understand expectations clearly.

Tests typically last between one and three hours, varying by age and format. Young children’s tests may last 30 minutes to an hour, whereas older students’ tests might extend longer with breaks provided. Examiners pace the sessions carefully, considering children’s attention spans to avoid fatigue and ensure accurate results.

Children are encouraged to listen attentively, ask for clarification if needed, and stay focused on their own work. It’s important they know encountering difficult questions is normal since tests intentionally include both simple and challenging items. For multiple-choice questions, guessing is preferable to leaving blanks, as there’s generally no penalty for incorrect answers.

Afterward, examiners collect test materials without immediately providing results, which typically arrive later via mail or scheduled meetings. Once testing concludes, it’s beneficial to reward your child with a special activity or treat, reinforcing pride in their effort regardless of outcomes to maintain a positive attitude toward testing.

What Happens After the Child Takes the G&T Test?

After your child completes the Gifted and Talented test, expect results within a few weeks—usually between one to four weeks. Results might arrive via mail, email, or through a scheduled parent meeting. Scores are typically reported in percentiles (showing how your child compares with peers) or standard scores like IQ, indicating above-average abilities. The report often breaks down results by skill area, clarifying your child’s strengths and weaknesses.

Each gifted program sets specific benchmarks for qualifying scores, commonly around the 95th percentile or an IQ near 130, although more competitive programs might require higher scores. If your child qualifies, you’ll receive information on program placement options, such as gifted classes or enrichment programs. Take the opportunity to meet with educators or coordinators to discuss details about curriculum, expectations, logistics like transportation, and how best to support your child’s transition emotionally and academically.

If your child doesn’t qualify, keep perspective—a single test does not fully define their abilities. Discuss next steps with educators, including classroom differentiation, future retesting opportunities, or available enrichment programs outside of school, like clubs or online resources.

In either scenario, speaking with an educator or gifted program coordinator to interpret results is highly recommended. They can help clarify scores, suggest enrichment strategies, or monitor your child for future testing eligibility. Regardless of qualification, use the test results constructively—as valuable feedback guiding your child’s educational development and helping them achieve their fullest potential.

Do You Have to Prepare for a Gifted and Talented Test?

There are over 30 different types of gifted and talented tests that your child may be asked to take. Each school district will have their own guidance regarding which test they plan on administering. However, regardless of the type of test your child takes, it is imperative that they study and prepare for it well in advance. Each of the gifted and talented tests includes testing material that is not typically taught to students in school, which means on testing day, the material will look unfamiliar to them. In order to overcome this, students need to be familiarized with the material before they take the actual exam. Otherwise, they may feel overwhelmed with the unfamiliar testing content.

Gifted and Talented Test Tips for Younger Children

1. Avoid making studying time a chore. When it’s time to study, it is better to reassure your child that studying time is fun rather than a chore. Tell your child that you will be playing several fun games online. When you take online practice exams, make sure that you are present with your child. Reward them when they answer questions correctly, and guide them when they answer them wrong. Additionally, it is important to not place too much stress on this test in front of your child. Instead, tell them that their results do not matter, so long as they try their best.
2. Throw in some games while studying. Although online practice exams are the most efficient way to study, that does not mean parents can’t incorporate some fun into studying. If you notice your child struggling to pay attention, distract them with a little game that will keep their mind working. Point to a pattern in your house and ask your child to identify any pattern they see. This will keep them thinking and practicing without the formality of a practice exam.

Gifted and Talented Test Tips for Older Children

1. Start with easier questions and then work your way through harder ones. It is important to boost your child’s confidence during the initial stages of studying. Start out with lower-level practice exams until your child feels comfortable answering those questions. Then, work your way towards appropriate grade-level questions. After they have mastered those, you can start incorporating above-grade level questions. This method will gradually introduce difficult material to your child without them becoming overwhelmed.
2. Make sure that your child practices with every test section. Your child may be tempted to skip over any test sections that they believe they have mastered. In reality, the actual aptitude test may include questions that your child has never encountered before. This is why it is important that your child become familiar with every single section. After they complete the entire practice exam, they can start focusing on any areas that they struggled with.

How to Prepare for a Gifted and Talented Test?

Preparing for a gifted and talented test is absolutely essential. Online practice exams and study guides are great tools for introducing new material to your child. Practice exams also include a timer, which will be necessary to gauge whether or not your child is answering questions quickly enough. Almost every single gifted and talented test is timed, which means students need to be able to answer questions quickly when under pressure. The most valuable part about practice exams is their inclusion of explanations. Explanations are vital for comprehending why difficult or complex questions have certain answers. Explanations can also help your child understand why certain answers were not feasible, which could be extremely useful on the actual gifted and talented test. Many parents will be hoping to enroll their child into a gifted and talented program, but only a few students will actually score high enough to be eligible. Make sure your child has the best odds of scoring high on these gifted and talented tests by thoroughly preparing with practice exams.