Gifted Testing in Houston Independent School District
Houston · Harris County · Texas
- Students
- 194,607
- Schools
- 274
- Setting
- City
Houston Independent School District serves about 194,607 students across 274 schools in Harris County. Like most U.S. districts, it identifies students for its gifted & talented program largely through a cognitive ability test. Its own gifted pages name the CogAT. Below is how identification typically works and how to prepare.
Which test does Houston use?
This district's own gifted pages name the CogAT. Start free CogAT practice below — and confirm the current test and timeline with the district's gifted office, since programmes change year to year.
“hat assessments are administered? The HISD utilizes the Naglieri General Ability Tests (NGAT) for Gifted and Talented Identification for students in grades PK-4 – 8 and the Cognitive Abilities (CogAT) for students in grades 9-12.”
Try three real CogAT-style questions
From our own bank, at about the level Houston Independent School District screens. Pick an answer to see the reasoning.
Question 1 · Number Puzzles
What number should replace the question mark to make this true? ? = ★ + 2 and ★ = 7Question 2 · Figure Classification
Look at the first three figures. They belong together in some way. Which answer choice belongs with them?
Question 3 · Verbal Analogies
Complete the analogy: PENCIL is to WRITE as BROOM is to ___
Three questions can't tell you where your child stands. The free diagnostic can.
Take the free CogAT diagnosticNo 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 Houston Independent School District 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
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.
“The program is called Gifted & Talented (G/T). Students are identified through a screening process that includes ability and achievement tests. All first-grade students are screened for the program.”
Read the district's gifted pageFrom the district's own site, read 2026-09-04.
How to prepare
- Take a free diagnostic to see where your child stands on How to Prep for the CogAT — A Parent's Guide (Grades K–8)-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 CogAT diagnosticOne practice question + one practical gifted-prep tip each week. No sales pitch — unsubscribe anytime.
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Something out of date here?If you're a parent or an administrator in Houston Independent School District 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 Houston Independent School District or any test publisher. Program details are a starting guide — always verify current testing windows and cutoffs with the district.