The Verbal Comprehension test section is one of two subcategories of the OLSAT’s Verbal Section. The OLSAT exam includes two sections: a Verbal Section and a Nonverbal Section. Each section is further divided into subcategories, which also include subsections. The Verbal Comprehension subcategory makes up one half of the entire Verbal Section’s score, which will also be combined with the Nonverbal Section’s scores. The results from the OLSAT test are used as a tool to identify children who should be enrolled into a gifted and talented program.
Verbal Comprehension tests the knowledge of students to understand word relationships, definition similarities, and word meanings. In lower levels, specifically children in preschool through 2nd grade, less emphasis will be placed on the Verbal Section. In these grades, students will not be required to read anything on the test. Instead, a teacher or designated test proctor will read the questions and their instructions to the students.
The OLSAT Verbal Comprehension subcategory will be split into four subsections. Each of these subsections will require students to listen to verbal directions, identify word similarities, complete incomplete sentences, or arrange words in a logical order. Not all Verbal Comprehension subsections will be taken by every student. Each child’s grade level will determine how many subsections they are required to take.
Subsection Type | OLSAT Level | Subsection Description |
Following Directions | Levels A – C | As the name states, students will be required to follow a set of directions that is read aloud by a teacher or designated test proctor. Students will need to choose a picture option that matches the set of directions. Words that are typically stated in the directions includes “between,” “above,” and “next to.” |
Sentence Completion | Levels D – G | This section requires students to complete unfinished sentences in a logical manner. Students will read a sentence that has a word intentionally missing. Students will need to infer what the sentence is supposed to mean, and then choose one word from the answer choices that they believe best completes the sentence. |
Sentence Arrangement | Levels D – G | This section assesses the ability of students to come to rational conclusions about the meaning of words. Students will be provided with several words placed in a random order. Then, students will be instructed to form a logical and complete sentence with the group of words that were provided. |
Antonyms | Levels D – G | This section will test a child’s vocabulary abilities. Students will be provided with a word, and will be required to understand the definition and meaning of that word. Then, they will be instructed to look through words provided in the answer options, and choose one word that holds the opposite meaning to the original word. |
The Verbal Comprehension subcategory of the OLSAT exam accounts for one half of the entire Verbal Section score. After the completion of the entire exam, the correct answers from the Verbal Comprehension subcategory will be combined with the correct answers from all other sections. This result will be displayed as the raw score, showing the correct answers written over the total number of answers. Then, the score is normalized and compared with other children in the same grade/age-group. This score is shown as the School Ability Index (SAI) score and can receive a result up to 150. Lastly, the SAI Score is turned into a percentage known as the Percentile Rank. This percentage shows how many people your child scored better than on the OLSAT.
In order for your child to be prepared for the OLSAT Verbal Comprehension section, they will need to follow a set study plan. This plan needs to include practice exams and sample questions that also include detailed explanations. Regardless of age, the material covered on the OLSAT exam was not taught to your child in school. The first time your child is introduced to this testing information should be at home during practice exams. Otherwise, they may show up on testing day feeling underprepared. Parents can easily sit down with their children and practice with exams and sample questions as many times as they feel necessary. It is recommended to start studying for this exam as soon as you are notified that your child will be taking it. Gifted and talented programs are a coveted opportunity that only a few select students will get to experience. Make sure your child scores well on the OLSAT Verbal Comprehension test section by preparing with online practice exams.
Based on your grade level select the relevant free practice materials:
OLSAT Level | School Grade |
Level A | Pre-K and Kindergarten |
Level B | 1st Grade |
Level C | 2nd Grade |
Level D | 3rd Grade |
Level E | 4th and 4th Grade |
Level F | 6th, 7th, and 8th Grades |
Level G | 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th Grades |