GCS Academically Gifted & CogAT — Parent FAQs
Key dates for GCS families
- Fall 2026: Grade 2 AIG screening information shared - GCS shares information with Grade 2 families about the universal AIG screening and identification process.
- January–February 2027 (expected): Grade 2 CogAT universal screening - All Grade 2 students are expected to take the CogAT during the district screening window.
- After CogAT results: Iowa achievement screening invitations - Students scoring at or above the 70th percentile on at least one qualifying CogAT score are invited to complete Iowa achievement testing in reading and mathematics.
- Spring 2027: Eligibility decisions and Grade 3 service planning - Schools review aptitude and achievement evidence, communicate eligibility decisions, and prepare services to begin in Grade 3.
The January–February 2027 timeframe is provisional. Please check directly with your child’s school or gifted counselor for exact testing dates and further details.
Who Takes the CogAT?
All Grade 2 students participate in the districtwide CogAT screening opportunity.
Students with a recent qualifying individually administered IQ score may be exempt but can opt to participate.
Students with severe cognitive disabilities and multilingual learners with minimal English proficiency are not required to test but may opt in.
Parents may request to waive the universal screening opportunity.
How Does GCS Use CogAT Results?
GCS reviews seven CogAT data points: the full composite, three partial composites, and the verbal, quantitative, and nonverbal subtests. For most of these scores, the district considers the higher of the national or local percentile.
A student scoring at or above the 70th percentile on any qualifying CogAT data point is eligible for Iowa achievement screening in reading and mathematics. A CogAT composite at or above the 92nd percentile may also trigger additional screening for the district's Very Strong program.
For more information, visit the GCS Academically Gifted page.
How Is Gifted Eligibility Determined?
GCS may identify students as Academically Gifted in mathematics, reading, or both; Intellectually Gifted; or Academically and Intellectually Gifted. Eligibility depends on the student's aptitude and achievement profile.
- Intellectually Gifted: generally requires a nationally normed composite aptitude score at or above the 98th percentile.
- Academically Gifted: may be based on nationally normed achievement results, an accepted performance task, or the highest EOG achievement level.
- Academically and Intellectually Gifted: requires qualifying aptitude together with qualifying achievement evidence.
- Students who do not yet meet formal criteria may still receive Talent Development, MAP, or Advanced Learner services.
What Happens if My Child Qualifies?
- Services begin in Grade 3: Students receive pull-out enrichment for 60–90 minutes each week in each qualifying subject area.
- Small-group instruction: Services are generally delivered by the licensed AG teacher in groups of fewer than 20 students.
- Differentiated learning: Instruction extends North Carolina standards through deeper themes, advanced problem-solving, creativity, perspective-taking, and global connections.
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
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?
The CogAT level for each grade is determined by the school district. Based on recommendations from Riverside Insights, the following table shows the typical CogAT level for GCS Grade 2 universal screening:
| Grade | CogAT Level |
|---|---|
| Grade II | Level 8 |
Please confirm the correct CogAT level for your child with GCS or your child's school before beginning preparation.
How to Prepare for GCS Grade 2 CogAT Screening
Help your child prepare for the CogAT by building broad reasoning skills rather than memorizing a single question type.
- Practice verbal, quantitative, and nonverbal reasoning rather than memorizing answers.
- Use picture analogies, classifications, number patterns, matrices, and visual-spatial puzzles appropriate for Grade 2.
- Review missed questions so your child understands the reasoning behind the correct answer.
- Use occasional timed practice to build attention, pacing, and confidence.
- Continue strengthening reading and mathematics because students who meet the CogAT threshold proceed to Iowa achievement testing.
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Quick FAQs
Does Guilford County Schools use CogAT? Yes. GCS administers CogAT districtwide to Grade 2 students as its universal gifted screener.
Does every Grade 2 student take CogAT? Almost every second grader is offered the test, subject to limited exemptions and a parent's right to waive participation.
When is CogAT testing in 2026–27? Exact dates have not been posted. Based on the district's established schedule, January–February 2027 is the expected timeframe.
Does a 70th-percentile CogAT score mean my child is gifted? No. It means the student is eligible for Iowa achievement screening. Final identification depends on the complete profile.
When do pull-out gifted services begin? Formal pull-out enrichment begins in Grade 3 after identification and parent consent.
Official GCS resources
Last reviewed: 2026-08-04
Help your child prepare for GCS testing
AceGiftedTest offers CogAT-style practice across verbal, quantitative, and nonverbal sections so students build familiarity with question formats before GCS Grade 2 CogAT screening.
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 Guilford County Schools (GCS). Academically Gifted identification, CogAT screening, Iowa achievement testing, Very Strong programming, and related policies are set by GCS and may change each school year. Families should verify details with their child's school and on official GCS websites.