--- title: "Gifted and Talented Test Prep: An Honest Guide for Ages 6 to 9" description: "Gifted and talented test prep explained honestly: how US districts identify gifted children, the main tests, why NYC uses none, and reasoning play for ages 6 to 9." canonical: https://learn.modernagecoders.com/gifted-and-talented-test-prep source: src/pages/gifted-and-talented-test-prep.html --- > Gifted and talented test prep explained honestly: how US districts identify gifted children, the main tests, why NYC uses none, and reasoning play for ages 6 to 9. In short US public school districts set their own gifted and talented rules, but most screen a whole grade (often grade 2) with an ability test such as the CogAT, NNAT3 or OLSAT-8, then weigh it with achievement scores, teacher and parent input and student work. NYC’s G&T program uses no admissions test. What genuinely helps is a little familiarity with the format and a lot of reasoning, number and spatial play. Modern Age Coders offers exactly that live online for children aged 6 to 9, in groups or one to one, starting with a free class. Growing thinkers, not test takers ## Three courses for bright, curious young children Each one stretches a child who is ready for more, whatever any screening says. [![Reasoning and Readiness for Young Thinkers (Ages 6 to 9) course thumbnail](/images/reasoning-readiness-young-thinkers.webp) GTT / 01 Reasoning and readiness, ages 6 to 9 Patterns, shapes and amounts, explained aloud. Open the syllabus →](/courses/reasoning-and-readiness-course-for-young-thinkers)[![Problem Solving and Computational Thinking for Kids course thumbnail](/images/problem-solving-kids.webp) GTT / 02 Problem solving for kids Puzzles solved by listing, testing and checking. Open the syllabus →](/courses/problem-solving-and-computational-thinking-for-kids)[![Elementary Maths for Grades 1-5 course thumbnail](/images/elementary-maths.webp) GTT / 03 Elementary math, grades 1 to 5 Grade-level math taught in depth, with room to go further. Open the syllabus →](/courses/elementary-mathematics-complete-masterclass) What gifted means ## What does gifted and talented mean in a US school? There is no single national definition used for placement. Each state sets its own, and each district builds a process on top of it. Texas is a clear example of a state definition written into law. ### One state’s definition The Texas Education Agency defines a gifted/talented student as a child who "performs at or shows the potential for performing at a remarkably high level of accomplishment when compared to others of the same age, experience, or environment", citing Texas Education Code §29.121. The same definition names four areas: high-performance capability in an intellectual, creative or artistic area; an unusual capacity for leadership; or excelling in a specific academic field. ### Why the wording matters Two phrases deserve a second look. "Shows the potential" means a child does not have to be ahead already; a district is looking for capacity as well as achievement. "Same age, experience, or environment" means children are compared fairly with peers who had similar chances. That is why districts use more than one kind of evidence, and why a test score alone rarely decides anything. Source: [Texas Education Agency, Gifted/Talented Education](https://tea.texas.gov/academics/special-student-populations/gifted-and-talented-education), read 31 October 2026. Other states use their own definitions; your state education department publishes yours. Modern Age Coders is not connected with any state, district or test publisher named on this page. How testing works ## How do schools test a child for gifted and talented? Usually in stages: screen widely, look closely at children who stand out, then let a team decide using several measures. The details vary, so the first step is always your own district’s page. 1. **Find your district’s gifted page.** Search your district name with "gifted identification" or "GATE". It should give the grades screened, the window and any forms. 2. **Check whether screening is universal.** Many districts test a whole grade. Charlotte-Mecklenburg screens all second graders in general education; Edmonds screens all 2nd and 6th graders; Fort Worth ISD screens all first graders. 3. **If not, look for a referral route.** Darien Public Schools says students "may be referred for gifted identification by teachers and/or parents" in set referral periods. 4. **Give consent or opt out.** Some districts ask permission; others let families decline. Edmonds asks families who do not want testing to submit a Test Refusal form, and San Ramon Valley lets parents exempt a second grader. 5. **The child sits a screener.** Usually a short group ability test at school, such as the CogAT, NNAT3 or OLSAT-8. 6. **A team weighs the evidence.** Darien says "A district placement team reviews each student's profile individually". Fort Worth adds "MAP scores, teacher feedback, parent feedback, and student work" to the picture. 7. **Families hear the result, and ask about next steps.** Ask when rescreening is possible. Charlotte-Mecklenburg, for example, allows rescreening after at least 24 months. ### Multiple measures, in the districts’ words Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools opens its page with "Multiple criteria are used in order to identify students as gifted", and gives each second grader formal tests, an observational rating scale and a portfolio route. Fort Worth ISD says the NNAT3 "is not the only data point considered". Darien requires a student to meet criteria on at least three different assessments. ### Outside testing Paying for a private test is not always a shortcut. Charlotte-Mecklenburg says: "Outside testing is not accepted for gifted identification." St. Louis Public Schools also does not accept assessments from other districts or independent examiners. Other districts may consider private results as extra evidence. Ask your district before spending anything. Sources: [Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools](https://sites.google.com/cms.k12.nc.us/psetd/gifted-identification), [Edmonds School District](https://www.edmonds.wednet.edu/programs-services/highly-capable/universal-screening), [Fort Worth ISD](https://www.fwisd.org/departments/gifted-and-talented/nnat3), [Darien Public Schools](https://www.darienps.org/teaching-learning/idea-program/identification-process), [San Ramon Valley Unified](https://www.srvusd.net/Departments/Educational-Services/GATE/GATE-Testing/) and [St. Louis Public Schools](https://www.slps.org/departments/academics/gifted-education/gifted-identification), read 31 October 2026. The seven steps are our summary of these pages. The main tests ## Which tests do districts use for gifted screening? Three ability tests and one achievement test come up again and again. They measure different things, which is exactly why districts often pair them. | Test | Publisher | Kind | What it samples | Time | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | CogAT | Riverside Insights | Ability | Verbal, quantitative and nonverbal reasoning, nine subtests | Screening Form about 30 minutes | | NNAT3 | Pearson | Ability, nonverbal | Reasoning with shapes and designs, no language | About 30 minutes | | OLSAT-8 | Pearson | Ability | Verbal, nonverbal and quantitative clusters | Untimed, at most 75 minutes | | Iowa Assessments | Riverside Insights | Achievement | What a child has learned in reading, language, math | Varies by battery and level | ### Ability and achievement An ability test samples how a child reasons with words, numbers and shapes. An achievement test checks what they have learned in class. A child can be strong in one and ordinary in the other, and both pictures are useful. South Carolina, for example, gives every second grader both the CogAT and the Iowa Assessments, so districts see reasoning and learning side by side. ### Which one will my child take? Only your district can tell you. Some use one screener for everyone; some use a nonverbal test so that language does not hide a strong thinker; some switch tests between grades. Whatever the name on the letter, the honest preparation is the same: a calm look at the format and plenty of reasoning play. NYC: no test ## Is there a test for the NYC gifted and talented program? No. NYC Public Schools describes a process for its Gifted & Talented programs with no admissions test: kindergarten eligibility comes from observed behaviors, and grades 1 to 4 from report card grades. ### Kindergarten, fall 2027 NYC Public Schools says "Gifted & Talented programs offer accelerated instruction to eligible elementary school students in New York City." For kindergarten in fall 2027, the application opens December 9, 2026 and closes January 22, 2027, with offers on March 30, 2027. Eligibility is "based on behaviors that may indicate readiness for accelerated learning". Current pre-K teachers evaluate children in district and partner programs; for others, the Division of Early Childhood Education holds interviews, after which "early childhood education experts nominate eligible applicants". ### Grades 1 to 4, fall 2027 For grades 1 to 4, the application opens April 19, 2027 and closes May 7, 2027, with offers on June 10, 2027. Current public school students are eligible if they "Have course grades of a 3 or 4, or the equivalent, on their report card in Math, Reading and Writing", and have had no 1 in core subjects in the current year. So the honest preparation for NYC is strong everyday learning, not a test. Source: [NYC Public Schools, Gifted and Talented](https://www.schools.nyc.gov/enrollment/enroll-grade-by-grade/gifted-and-talented), read 31 October 2026. Check the page for changes before each cycle. Honest readiness ## How should I prepare my child for a gifted test? Lightly. Several districts say so in their own words, and a child’s reasoning grows best through play, conversation and number sense. Here is what that looks like in a normal week, with two puzzles of ours. ### What districts advise San Ramon Valley Unified writes: "Our district does not recommend any materials for CogAT preparation." It encourages students to take the test with minimal preparation so the district gets an accurate measure. Edmonds School District asks itself whether a student should study before its NNAT3 screener and answers: "No, however it would benefit your child to be comfortable with the testing format prior to testing." ### Why drilling is a poor bet A child coached on look-alike items may be placed in a program paced for a level they cannot sustain, which can turn a love of learning into stress. It can also hide what a teacher most needs to know about them. Real reasoning, by contrast, keeps paying off: in math, reading, science and code, long after screening day. | Day | Activity | The thinking it grows | | --- | --- | --- | | Monday | Sort a box of buttons three different ways and name each rule | Classifying | | Tuesday | Fold paper, punch a hole, predict before unfolding | Spatial reasoning | | Wednesday | A secret number rule game: you say a number, I answer | Finding a rule | | Thursday | Retell a bedtime story in order, then change the ending | Sequencing and language | | Friday | The handshake puzzle below | Listing cases systematically | | Saturday | Build a LEGO model from a picture, then from memory | Visual memory | | Sunday | Rest, or a board game with counting and strategy | Number sense and planning | ### The handshake puzzle (ours) Four friends, Ava, Ben, Cara and Dev, each shake hands once with every other friend. How many handshakes are there? Many children guess 16 or 8. The trick is to list them so none is missed or counted twice. Start with Ava: Ava-Ben, Ava-Cara, Ava-Dev. Ben has met Ava already, so Ben-Cara, Ben-Dev. Then Cara-Dev. That is 3 + 2 + 1 = 6 handshakes. Ask next: what if a fifth friend arrives? (4 more, so 10.) ### Squares in a grid (ours) Draw a 3 by 3 grid of small squares, like a tic-tac-toe board with a border. How many squares can you find? Most children say 9 at first. Then they spot the 2 by 2 squares (there are 4) and the whole 3 by 3 square (1). So the total is 9 + 4 + 1 = 14. The habit is the same as the handshakes: sort the cases by size and count each group. That is reasoning a child keeps for life. Where your child is ## Four stages of solving a puzzle with many cases Our description of how children grow from guessing to systematic thinking between six and nine. | Stage | What you might see | | --- | --- | | 1. Guessing | Says a number quickly without checking | | 2. Drawing | Draws the situation and counts, sometimes twice | | 3. Listing | Makes an ordered list so nothing repeats | | 4. Generalising | Predicts the next case, such as 10 handshakes for five friends | ### For parents Stage 3 is a big leap and a sign of real mathematical maturity at seven or eight. Celebrate it more than any score. If your child is stuck at stage 1, ask them to draw it. Pictures slow a fast guesser down in a good way. ### For children When there are lots of possibilities, make a list in order. Start with the first person or the smallest size. Check that nothing in your list appears twice. The catalogue ## Courses that stretch able young learners Live lessons for children who are ready for more, in math, reasoning and code. I ### Reasoning and number Ages 5 to 9 GTT / R / 01 #### Reasoning and readiness Patterns, shapes and amounts. [Open the syllabus](/courses/reasoning-and-readiness-course-for-young-thinkers) GTT / R / 02 #### Mental math Numbers handled flexibly. [Open the syllabus](/courses/mental-maths-mastery-kids) GTT / R / 03 #### Early math foundations Concrete, playful first math. [Open the syllabus](/courses/early-math-foundations)II ### Elementary and beyond Grades 1 to 6 GTT / E / 01 #### Elementary math The grade sequence, in depth. [Open the syllabus](/courses/elementary-mathematics-complete-masterclass) GTT / E / 02 #### Problem solving Systematic thinking. [Open the syllabus](/courses/problem-solving-and-computational-thinking-for-kids) GTT / E / 03 #### Competition math For older children who love puzzles. [Open the syllabus](/courses/olympiad-competition-mathematics-mastery)III ### Thinking in code Ages 7 to 12 GTT / C / 01 #### Scratch coding Logic you can watch run. [Open the syllabus](/courses/scratch-programming-complete-course) GTT / C / 02 #### Python for kids Real code, gently. [Open the syllabus](/courses/python-ai-kids-masterclass) GTT / C / 03 #### AI literacy for kids How AI works, ages 8 and up. [Open the syllabus](/courses/ai-literacy-for-kids-course) How lessons run ## Lessons for bright young children, without pressure Weekdays or weekends, flexible: choose your batch, or for a very personalised plan choose 1-on-1 at your convenience, weekend mornings or weekdays. Weekdays Short, lively sessions after school. Weekends Longer puzzles and building time. 1-on-1 For a child far ahead, or one who needs confidence. ### Depth over speed One good puzzle explored fully. ### Reasons aloud Children explain before they answer. ### Original material Our puzzles, not copied test items. ### Format, once A short, calm look before screening. ### No placement promises Districts decide; we grow thinking. ### Batch or one child Fifteen to twenty, or one to one. Student work ## What our young students make Puzzles, games and early projects from children in our classes. Visit [student labs](/student-labs) for more. ![NutriLife AI nutrition coach project screenshot](/images/projects/nutrilife.webp) AI and ML #### NutriLife An AI nutrition coach that reads what you eat and works you toward a target. by Bhavya · [Open it](https://nutrilife-bhavya.lovable.app) ![Misti AI chatbot for maths and coding screenshot](/images/projects/misti.webp) AI and ML #### Misti A chatbot that answers mathematics and programming questions, built and deployed by a student. by Harshit · [Open it](https://misti.modernagecoders.com) ![GuardianX AI internet safety assistant screenshot](/images/projects/guardianx.webp) AI and ML #### GuardianX An assistant that helps a young person recognise unsafe situations online. by Vivaan · [Open it](https://guardianx-cybersaver.lovable.app) ![SkyCast weather forecast application screenshot](/images/projects/skycast.webp) Web app #### SkyCast A weather forecasting site with live conditions for any location. by Krish Fees ## Fees We bill monthly with no long contract, so families can give a curious child a term of reasoning lessons and decide what next without pressure. Free first class USD 0 no card required - A free first class - Meet the teacher together - No card details Book it Group batch USD 100 a month, billed in US dollars - Fifteen to twenty young learners - A steady teacher each week - Choose your batch - Monthly Start here One to one USD 150 a month, billed in US dollars - One teacher, one child - Stretch set to their pace - Flexible times Enquire What families say ## Rated 4.9 across 547 Google reviews Google reviews from parents, in their own words. ★★★★★ "The one step solution for my son. Modern Age Coders make learning coding so simple that kids love it. The teachers explain complex concepts clearly with practical exercises and interactive content." Ria Mukherjee Parent ★★★★★ "Modern Age Coders has been a game-changer for me. I struggled to grasp IT concepts and coding before joining, but their classes transformed everything. I can now confidently write complex programs with ease." Samriddha Mondal Student ★★★★★ "One of the most wonderful education centres out there. Education is not limited to school syllabus but focuses on skill development." Vansh Agarwal Student ★★★★★ "My child Dhairya is really enjoying the Modern Age Coders classes. This is his first online class and he eagerly looks forward to it. I can already see his improvement, and the teachers are very cooperative." Sonam Oswal Parent of Dhairya ★★★★★ "Modern Age Coders have wonderful teachers who teach in a clear, easy and practical way. The teacher boosts students' confidence and inspires them to learn without hesitation." Sonu Goyal Parent ★★★★★ "I highly recommend this computer coding class! The teachers are incredibly knowledgeable and passionate about coding." Ritu Kedia Parent Questions from parents ## Gifted and talented test prep: questions parents ask ### How do they test for gifted and talented? Most US districts screen a whole grade, often grade 2, with a short group ability test, then a team weighs that with achievement scores, teacher and parent input and student work. Rules differ by district. ### How do I get my child tested for gifted and talented? Start with your district gifted or GATE page. If screening is universal your child will be tested at school; if not, look for a referral period, as Darien Public Schools offers to teachers and parents. ### What tests are used for gifted programs? Common ability tests are the CogAT from Riverside Insights and the NNAT3 and OLSAT-8 from Pearson. Some states pair them with an achievement test such as the Iowa Assessments. ### Is there a test for NYC gifted and talented? No. NYC Public Schools bases kindergarten eligibility on observed behaviors and nominations, and grades 1 to 4 eligibility on report card grades of 3 or 4 in Math, Reading and Writing. ### Should I prepare my child for a gifted test? Only lightly. San Ramon Valley Unified recommends no CogAT preparation materials, and Edmonds says students should not study for its NNAT3 screener but can get comfortable with the format. ### Does a private gifted test count? Not everywhere. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools will not use outside results to identify a child at all, and other districts may count a private report only as supporting evidence, so ask first. ### What age are children tested for gifted? Grade 2, around age seven or eight, is the most common universal screening year, but Fort Worth ISD screens first graders and Edmonds screens grades 2 and 6. ### What do your lessons offer a bright child? Live online reasoning lessons for ages 6 to 9: patterns, spatial play, number sense and puzzles solved by listing and checking. We use our own material and never drill test items. ### When do your classes run? Weekdays or weekends, flexible: choose your batch, or for a very personalised plan choose 1-on-1 at your convenience, weekend mornings or weekdays. ### Are you linked to any district or test publisher? No. We are an independent online school with no connection to any state, district, Riverside Insights or Pearson, and we never promise a score or a place. Elsewhere on this site ## Related pages More support for families of curious young learners in the US. ### [Second grade math tutoring](/online-math-tutor-2nd-grade) The usual screening year. ### [First grade math tutoring](/online-math-tutor-1st-grade) Strong foundations early. ### [Third grade math tutoring](/online-math-tutor-3rd-grade) Multiplication and reasoning. ### [Math tutoring for kids](/online-maths-tutoring-for-kids-in-usa) Live lessons for US children. ### [Math Kangaroo preparation](/math-kangaroo-usa-preparation) A puzzle contest for young thinkers. ### [MATHCOUNTS preparation](/mathcounts-preparation) Where puzzle lovers go in middle school. ### [Homeschool math curriculum](/homeschool-math-curriculum-usa) Planning math at home. ## Related pages in this guide Part of the guide: [US gifted and selective school tests](/us-gifted-and-selective-school-tests-guide) ### Gifted and talented screening - [CogAT test prep](/cogat-test-prep) - [NNAT test prep](/nnat-test-prep) - [OLSAT test prep](/olsat-test-prep) - [Iowa Assessments math prep](/iowa-assessments-math-prep) - [NYC Gifted and Talented guide](/nyc-gifted-and-talented-guide) ### Exam schools and private high schools - [SHSAT math prep](/shsat-math-prep) - [Hunter College High School math prep](/hunter-college-high-school-math-prep) - [Boston exam schools math prep](/boston-exam-schools-math-prep) - [HSPT math prep](/hspt-math-prep) - [TACHS math prep](/tachs-math-prep) - [ISEE and SSAT math prep](/isee-ssat-math-prep) ### Programs for advanced students - [Duke TIP alternatives](/duke-tip-alternatives) - [Stanford Online High School math prep](/stanford-online-high-school-math-prep) - [Accelerated math program online](/accelerated-math-program-online) More guides: [US state math tests by state](/us-state-math-tests-by-state) · [US math placement and college readiness tests](/us-math-placement-and-college-readiness-tests) · [Homeschool and school math curricula guide](/homeschool-math-curriculum-guide-usa) · [US math and coding competitions guide](/us-math-and-coding-competitions-guide) Start here ## Book a free first class Tell us your child’s age, grade and district. The teacher will try a few of our puzzles with them and give you an honest view of what would stretch them. If you like, read [how we teach](/how-we-teach) or explore [our courses](/courses) first. [WhatsApp us](https://wa.me/919123366161?text=Hello%20Modern%20Age%20Coders%2C%20my%20child%20in%20the%20US%20may%20be%20screened%20for%20a%20gifted%20program%20and%20I%20would%20like%20honest%20reasoning%20lessons%2C%20not%20drilling.%20Could%20we%20book%20a%20free%20first%20class%3F) · [+91 91233 66161](tel:+919123366161) · [connect@modernagecoders.com](mailto:connect@modernagecoders.com) We teach live over video from India, scheduling around US school days and weekend mornings. WhatsApp gets you the fastest reply. ### Want a class sooner? Book a priority demo A priority demo is a full class of about 45 to 60 minutes. After the class the mentor sends a written skill report and a personal learning roadmap on WhatsApp. If you enrol, the demo fee is adjusted against your first month's fee. 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[Book a priority demo](/book-demo) ## Keep exploring Modern Age Coders ### Related courses and guides - [After a Girls' Programming Network Workshop: Next Steps](/girls-programming-network-next-step-australia) - [The Modern Age Coders Gazette](/gazette) - [Girls Who Code Next Step: After a GWC Club or Pathways](/girls-who-code-next-step) - [Gauss Contest 2027 (Grades 7 and 8): Dates and Practice](/gauss-contest-preparation) - [GitHub Classroom Retired: Help for Students in 2026](/github-classroom-help-for-students) - [Game Programming Course in Australia](/game-programming-course-australia) - [Mobile App Development Company](/mobile-app-development-services) - [IntelliJ and PyCharm Free for Students: License and Setup](/intellij-and-pycharm-free-for-students) - [VCE Software Development Help](/vce-applied-computing-software-development-help) ### Learn more - [WA GATE ASET Maths Practice](/wa-gate-aset-maths-practice) - [Middle School Math Placement Test Prep: Grade 6 to Algebra 1](/middle-school-math-placement-test-prep) ### Free resources - [HTML & CSS Tutorial: Build Websites from Scratch](/resources/html-and-css) - [Forms, Inputs, and Form Validation](/resources/html-and-css/forms-and-inputs) - [Introduction to C++](/resources/cpp/introduction-to-cpp) - [Modern CSS - Container Queries, Subgrid, clamp](/resources/html-and-css/modern-css-features) ### From the blog - [Prime Numbers Explained: Sieve, Factors and Proof](/blog/prime-numbers-explained) - [Pythagoras Theorem Explained, With a Visual Proof](/blog/pythagoras-theorem-explained) - [PCEP vs PCAP: Which Python Certification Is Worth It?](/blog/pcep-vs-pcap-which-python-certification) ### Start here - [Book a free demo class with Modern Age Coders](/book-demo) - [Real projects built by Modern Age Coders students](/student-labs) Free class[Priority demo](/book-demo)[Call us](tel:+919123366161) --- *Canonical: https://learn.modernagecoders.com/gifted-and-talented-test-prep*