Which gifted test does Highline School District 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 Washington?

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 Washington

Gifted Testing in Highline School District

Q: How do students qualify for the gifted program in Highline School District?

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.

Burien · King County · Washington

Students: 18,485
Schools: 43
Setting: Suburban

Highline School District serves about 18,485 students across 43 schools in King 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 Highline use?

Highline School District's own pages don't name the test — but among the 21 Washington districts whose gifted pages we've read and verified, 16 name the CogAT and 4 the NNAT. Start there, and confirm the exact test with the district's gifted office.

CogAT

Verbal, quantitative & nonverbal reasoning.

Start free CogAT practice Sample questions Guide

NNAT

Nonverbal pattern & figure reasoning — no language.

Start free NNAT practice Sample questions Guide

Iowa Assessments

Achievement across reading, language & maths.

Start free Iowa Assessments practice Sample questions Guide

Try three real CogAT-style questions

From our own bank, at about the level Highline School District screens. Pick an answer to see the reasoning.

Question 1 · Verbal Analogies
Complete the analogy: TOOTH is to COMB as LEAF is to ___
Question 2 · Sentence Completion
The campers used a ____ to see the trail after dark.
Question 3 · Number Analogies
Find the missing number: 3 → 0 ; 7 → 4 ; 8 → ___

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 Highline 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

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.

Highline School District'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 Highline 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 Highline School District or any test publisher. Program details are a starting guide — always verify current testing windows and cutoffs with the district.