Which gifted test does Indianapolis Public Schools use?

The specific test varies and can change year to year; the most common cognitive screeners are the CogAT, NNAT, and OLSAT. Confirm the current test with the district.

Can you prepare for the gifted test in Indiana?

Yes. Familiarity with question types, pacing practice, and targeted work on weak areas help a child show their true ability. A free diagnostic is a good first step.

← Gifted programs in Indiana

Gifted Testing in Indianapolis Public Schools

Q: How do students qualify for the gifted program in Indianapolis Public Schools?

Qualification is based largely on a cognitive ability test (commonly the CogAT, NNAT, or OLSAT) plus other criteria. Most programs use a percentile cutoff (often around the 95th–98th percentile). The exact test and cutoff vary by year and grade — confirm with the district's gifted/talented office.

Indianapolis · Marion County · Indiana

Students: 22,115
Schools: 57
Setting: City

Indianapolis Public Schools serves about 22,115 students across 57 schools in Marion County. Like most U.S. districts, it identifies students for its gifted & talented program largely through a cognitive ability test. The specific test varies and can change year to year — the most common are the CogAT, NNAT, and OLSAT. Below is how identification typically works and how to prepare.

Which test does Indianapolis use?

Confirm the current test with your school's counselor or the district's gifted/talented office — it's the one detail worth verifying directly. The most common screeners are below; pick yours to start a free, test-specific practice.

CogAT

Verbal, quantitative & nonverbal reasoning.

Start free CogAT practice Sample questions Guide

MAP Growth

Adaptive achievement in reading & maths.

Read the MAP Growth guide

Try three real CogAT-style questions

From our own bank, at about the level Indianapolis Public Schools screens. Pick an answer to see the reasoning.

Question 1 · Verbal Classification
These three words go together in some way: tiptoe, gallop, leap. Which word belongs with them?
Question 2 · Number Puzzles
What number should replace the question mark to make this true? 7 + 1 = ? + 1
Question 3 · Figure Classification
Look at the first three figures. They belong together in some way. Which answer choice belongs with them?

Three questions can't tell you where your child stands. The free diagnostic can.

Take the free CogAT diagnostic

No signup needed to start.

How qualifying scores work

Most gifted programs use a percentile cutoff — often around the 95th–98th percentile, sometimes against national norms and sometimes against local (district) norms. The exact cutoff for Indianapolis Public Schools can change yearly and may differ by grade or program, so confirm the current threshold with the district. We never publish a cutoff we can't verify.

Testing window & official info

Testing window

Gifted screening is usually scheduled in the fall (around September–October) for the coming school year, though some districts also test in spring. Windows vary — confirm the exact dates with your district.

Indianapolis Public Schools's gifted page

The real test, dates, and cutoff live on the district's own page.

Find the district's gifted page

How to prepare

Take a free diagnostic to see where your child stands on CogAT / NNAT / OLSAT-style reasoning.
Practice each question type — verbal, quantitative, and nonverbal reasoning — with adaptive, verified questions.
Build familiarity and pacing so test day feels routine, not stressful.
Track a readiness percentile and focus practice on the weakest areas.

See where your child stands

A free diagnostic gives a readiness estimate in minutes — no signup needed to try.

Take the free diagnostic

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Something out of date here?If you're a parent or an administrator in Indianapolis Public Schools and the test, timeline, or process has changed, tell us at info@iprepgenius.com and we'll verify it against the district and correct the page. That's the same route our editorial policy commits us to for every claim we publish.

iPrepGenius is an independent study resource, not affiliated with or endorsed by Indianapolis Public Schools or any test publisher. Program details are a starting guide — always verify current testing windows and cutoffs with the district.