DCSD Gifted & CogAT — Parent FAQs
Key dates for DCSD families
- August 24–September 4, 2026: Fall MAP universal screening - Fall MAP universal screening for students in Grades K–10. Students scoring at or above the 90th percentile in reading and/or mathematics may move forward for gifted evaluation.
- November 2–30, 2026: CogAT and Iowa testing window - CogAT and Iowa testing window for students referred for further gifted evaluation. This is the official 2026–27 elementary CogAT/ITBS testing window.
- November 30–December 11, 2026: Winter MAP window - Winter MAP window provides another opportunity for students to meet the achievement threshold for further evaluation.
- March 2–April 2, 2027: Naglieri and Torrance testing window - Naglieri and Torrance testing window for students who need additional mental-ability or creativity evidence.
- March 16–26, 2027: Spring MAP window - Spring MAP window provides a final 2026–27 achievement-screening opportunity.
The November 2–30 window is the official 2026–27 elementary CogAT/ITBS testing window. Please check directly with your child’s school or gifted counselor for exact testing dates and details.
Who Takes the CogAT?
CogAT is administered to students referred for further gifted evaluation, not to every student in a particular grade.
The usual starting point is a MAP Reading and/or Mathematics score at or above the 90th percentile.
Students may also be referred by teachers, counselors, administrators, parents, peers, themselves, or others familiar with their abilities.
Parent consent is required before additional gifted assessments are administered.
How Does the Gifted Identification Process Work?
DCSD evaluates four areas: achievement, mental ability, creativity, and motivation. A student must qualify in at least three of the four areas.
A qualifying score used in one area cannot be reused to establish eligibility in another area. Assessment data used for eligibility remains valid for two calendar years.
For more information, visit the DCSD Gifted Education page.
Gifted Eligibility Areas and Criteria
Georgia and DCSD require evidence across multiple areas. Common measures and published criteria include:
| Area (common evidence) | Published criterion |
|---|---|
| Achievement (MAP or Iowa) | 90th percentile or higher |
| Mental ability (CogAT or Naglieri) | 96th percentile or higher in at least one subtest area |
| Creativity (Torrance or another approved measure) | 90th percentile or higher |
| Motivation (Gifted Evaluation Scale or qualifying GPA) | 90th percentile or qualifying GPA |
A qualifying score used in one area cannot be reused to establish eligibility in another area. Assessment data used for eligibility remains valid for two calendar years.
What Does the CogAT Measure?
The CogAT measures how students reason and solve unfamiliar problems in three areas:
- Verbal reasoning: word relationships, analogies, classification, and verbal problem-solving
- Quantitative reasoning: number relationships, patterns, and mathematical problem-solving
- Nonverbal reasoning: figure patterns, matrices, classification, and spatial reasoning
What Happens if My Child Qualifies?
- Resource model: Students may be pulled out for interdisciplinary enrichment and extension taught by a gifted-certified teacher.
- Cluster grouping: Gifted students may be grouped in a general classroom with differentiated content, process, products, and assessments.
- Advanced content: Students may receive accelerated core-content instruction emphasizing research, problem-solving, and higher-order thinking.
- Continuation requirement: Identified students are expected to maintain at least an 80% average in assigned gifted classes.
CogAT Testing Format
The CogAT assesses your child's cognitive development in three key areas: verbal, quantitative, and non-verbal abilities. Rather than focusing on academic knowledge, it evaluates reasoning skills that your child uses to solve problems and think critically.
Note: There are some variances in the testing format for students in grades 3 and up. If your child is in grades 3–5, click on the Level 3–5 tab below to learn more about the test format for those grades.
This section assesses your child's ability to understand and use language. It includes the following three sections:
Picture Analogies
Picture Classification
Sentence Completion
Which CogAT level should my child prepare for?
CogAT is given only to students referred for further gifted evaluation. The CogAT level for each grade is determined by the school district. Based on recommendations from Riverside Insights, the following table shows typical CogAT levels by grade:
| Grade | CogAT Level |
|---|---|
| Grade K | Level 5/6 |
| Grade I | Level 7 |
| Grade II | Level 8 |
| Grade III | Level 9 |
| Grade IV | Level 10 |
| Grade V | Level 11 |
| Grade VI | Level 12 |
| Grade VII | Level 13 |
| Grade VIII | Level 14 |
Please confirm that your child has been referred for CogAT and verify the correct CogAT level with DCSD or your child's school before beginning preparation.
How to Prepare for DCSD CogAT Testing
Help your child prepare for the CogAT by building broad reasoning skills rather than memorizing a single question type.
- Confirm that your child has been referred and will actually take CogAT during the November window.
- Practice verbal, quantitative, and nonverbal reasoning rather than memorizing answers.
- Use age-appropriate analogies, classifications, number patterns, matrices, and visual-spatial puzzles.
- Review missed questions so your child understands the reasoning behind the correct answer.
- Continue strengthening reading and mathematics because MAP achievement is the gateway to further evaluation.
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For students referred to CogAT testing, AceGiftedTest builds familiarity with verbal, quantitative, and nonverbal reasoning questions. Students receive unlimited full-length practice tests, detailed explanations, video tutorials, AI assistance, and personalized practice focused on individual weak areas. CogAT preparation can improve familiarity and confidence, but DCSD eligibility also depends on achievement, creativity, and motivation. No preparation program can guarantee gifted identification.
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Quick FAQs
Does DeKalb County use CogAT? Yes. DCSD administers CogAT for the mental-ability portion of gifted identification.
Does every student take CogAT? No. MAP is the universal screener. CogAT is given to students referred for further evaluation.
When is CogAT administered in 2026–27? The official elementary CogAT and Iowa window is November 2–30, 2026.
What MAP score triggers further evaluation? DCSD states that students scoring above the 90th percentile in reading and/or mathematics are considered for additional evaluation.
Is CogAT the only factor in eligibility? No. Students must qualify in at least three of four areas: achievement, mental ability, creativity, and motivation.
Can parents refer their child? Yes. Parents and several other parties may submit a reported referral for gifted evaluation.
Help your child prepare for DCSD testing
AceGiftedTest offers CogAT-style practice across verbal, quantitative, and nonverbal sections so students build familiarity with question formats before DCSD CogAT evaluation.
Get started with AceGiftedTestCognitive Abilities Test™ (CogAT®) is a registered trademark of Riverside Assessments, LLC. AceGiftedTest and its parent, Lumina Ed, are not affiliated with Riverside Insights, nor is the content on this site promoted or endorsed by Riverside or its affiliates.
AceGiftedTest and its parent company, Lumina Ed, are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by DeKalb County School District (DCSD). Gifted identification, CogAT and Iowa testing, MAP screening, and related policies are set by DCSD and the Georgia Department of Education and may change each school year. Families should verify details with their child's school and on official DCSD websites.