What Is the OLSAT Level C Test?
2nd graders may be expected to take the OLSAT Level C, which is a type of aptitude assessment that determines eligibility for a gifted and talented program. OLSAT is an abbreviation for the Otis-Lennon School Ability Test. It is a popular testing tool that is known to measure a child’s cognitive abilities. The test is divided into several sections that will assess a child’s verbal and nonverbal abilities through the use of picture content. 2nd graders will be expected to classify shapes based on their similarity as well as choosing pictures that complete a patterned series. The OLSAT Level C Test is the third OLSAT-series test, and will also be the last year that instructions are read to the students out loud. If your child has never taken an aptitude test before, they may be surprised at the format and layout of the OLSAT exam. In order to overcome this, make sure your child has prepared well in advance.
What Are OLSAT Level C’s Test Sections?
Similar to lower level OLSAT exams, the OLSAT Level C requires 2nd graders to answer 60 questions, evenly split across verbal and nonverbal sections. However, this year students will only have 72 minutes to complete the entire test. Before the start of the test, a teacher or appointed test proctor will read the instructions to the 2nd graders, but the instructions will only be read once. Therefore, it is important to teach your child to listen to the instructions very carefully.
Verbal Section
One section that 2nd graders will need to complete is the OLSAT Verbal Section. Although the Verbal Section includes an equal amount of questions, there will only be three subsections. Specifically, there will be an arithmetic reasoning, following directions, and aural reasoning subsections.
- Aural Reasoning: 2nd graders will be given several small pieces of information. They will need to piece together the information in order to understand the bigger picture.
- Arithmetic Reasoning: 2nd graders will need to use their problem-solving skills to complete this section. 2nd graders will be provided with numbers and will use reasoning to predict a numerical outcome.
- Following Directions: 2nd graders will simply be asked to follow basic instructions. Based on the instructions they receive, they will need to choose one picture from the answer options that best follows the provided directions.
Nonverbal Section
The second section that 2nd graders will need to complete is the OLSAT Nonverbal Section. This year, 2nd graders will need to complete six subsections, including pattern matrix, figural series, figural classification, figural analogies, picture classification, and picture analogies subsections. In total, there will be 30 questions.
- Picture Classification: 2nd graders will look through several pictures. All of the pictures except for one will be related to each other in some way. The 2nd graders will choose the one picture that is the exception.
- Picture Analogies: 2nd graders will be presented with a picture and asked to match it with another picture from the answer options that is most similar.
- Figural Classification: 2nd graders will look through several figures. All of the figures except for one will be related to each other in some way. The 2nd graders will choose the one figure that is the exception.
- Figural Analogies: 2nd graders will be presented with a figure and asked to match it with another figure from the answer options that is most similar.
- Pattern Matrix: 2nd graders will look through nine boxes spread across a 3×3 matrix. The nine boxes will have shapes that are similar to each other both vertically and horizontally. The ninth box will be intentionally left empty, and the 2nd graders will pick an answer that fits into the matrix.
- Figural Series: 2nd graders will follow the progression of shapes in a sequence. Based on the sequence rule, the 2nd graders will choose another shape that fits the same rule.
How to Read OLSAT Level C’s Score Report?
After the completion of the OLSAT Level C, 2nd graders will have their correct answers tallied up and compared with children that are within a few months of age. Both sections will have equal importance when it comes to scoring, which means that neither section is weighted differently than the other. Finally, a composite score will be created, and 2nd graders will likely need to score within the highest 1-3% of students in order to enroll into a gifted and talented program.
- Raw Score: The first step on the score report is determining the raw score. This is shown as the total correct answers divided by the total possible answers, shown as x/60.
- School Ability Index (SAI): The second step on the score report is to determine the SAI result. The raw score is compared with 2nd graders who are close in age. Each 2nd grader is given a number between 0-150 that shows their ability.
- Percentile Rank: The third step on the score report is the Percentile Rank. The SAI is further compared with other 2nd graders, and that result is shown as a percentage. The final percentage shows how many students your 2nd grader scored better than.
OLSAT Level C Test Tips
- Find a balance between assisting your child and letting them figure it out on their own. The OLSAT Level C Test is meant to be taken by young children, which means that school and learning processes are still fairly new concepts to your child. While taking practice exams, make sure you find a balance between guiding them through difficult questions and letting them try to answer those questions on their own. Remember that you will not be there on testing day, which means your child needs to feel confident in answering questions by themselves.
- Prepare your child to answer questions with time limits. The first few times your run through a practice exam, you don’t need to rush your child through it. However, eventually your child will need to know how to answer questions accurately and within the time limit. Encourage your child to spend equal amounts of time on each question, rather than wasting several minutes trying to answer a single difficult question. Each practice exam will usually include a timer in the corner, which your child can glance at during the study session.
How to Prepare for the OLSAT Level C Test?
Preparing for the OSLAT Level C Test can be extremely easy to do it you know how. Familiarization with the test format is key to your child being successful on this exam. The best way to familiarize your child is through the utilization of practice exams and online study guides. With these resources, you and your child will be able to sit down and run through the practice exams as many times as you feel necessary. Even more important is the inclusion of explanations at the end of the exam. Practice exams typically include explanations for every single question, which allows you gain more knowledge and insight into what exactly the questions are asking. If your child does not practice, they will likely be less prepared than other students, and that will likely be reflected in their final score. Make sure your child receives the highest score possible on the OLSAT Level C Test by taking the time to study with online practice exams.