CogAT vs NNAT vs OLSAT: which gifted test does your district use?
A plain-English comparison of the three most common gifted-screening tests — what each measures, and how to find out which one your child will take.
Most US districts screen for gifted programs with one of three cognitive tests. They overlap a lot, so prep transfers — but they do differ in emphasis.
CogAT — verbal, quantitative & nonverbal
The most widely used. Three batteries cover language reasoning, number/pattern reasoning, and figure-based (nonverbal) reasoning. Broadest picture of a child's reasoning.
NNAT — purely nonverbal
The Naglieri Nonverbal Ability Test uses only shapes and patterns, no language. Districts often choose it for fairness across language backgrounds. If your district uses the NNAT, focus on pattern completion, reasoning by analogy, and spatial visualization.
OLSAT — verbal & nonverbal
The Otis-Lennon School Ability Test blends verbal and nonverbal reasoning. Common in some large districts (sometimes paired with the NNAT for gifted screening).
How to find out which one
- Ask your school counselor or the district's gifted/talented office — it's the one detail worth confirming directly.
- Check the district website's gifted/G&T page.
- The good news: the underlying reasoning skills overlap, so practicing analogies, number series, and figure matrices builds readiness for all three.
Common questions
Can you prepare for all three at once?
Largely yes — verbal analogies, number series, and figure/pattern reasoning appear across CogAT, NNAT, and OLSAT. Confirm your district's test to weight your practice.
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