CCS Gifted & CogAT — Parent FAQs
Key dates for CCS families
- Fall 2026: Districtwide Grade 5 CogAT - All Grade 5 students take CogAT during the district's fall administration. CCS has not published a specific public 2026–27 CogAT date.
- First day of school–October 31, 2026: Fall gifted-testing referrals - Fall referrals for additional gifted testing are accepted online.
- December 1, 2026–mid-March 2027: Spring gifted-testing referrals - Spring referrals for gifted testing are accepted online.
- By the end of the 2026–27 school year: Additional Grade 5 gifted testing - Grade 5 students who meet screening criteria on the fall CogAT may receive additional gifted testing when needed.
These dates are provided by CCS. For exact testing dates and other questions, please contact your child’s school or gifted counselor.
Who Takes the CogAT?
All Grade 5 students in Columbus City Schools take CogAT as part of districtwide gifted screening.
Students in other grades may take CogAT through alternative testing administered by the Gifted & Talented department.
Grade 2 universal ability screening uses the NNAT-3 rather than CogAT.
How Does CCS Use CogAT Results?
For superior cognitive ability, CCS publishes a required CogAT standard score of 128. A score of 100 is considered average on the district's ability assessments.
CogAT can also serve as a screening measure for creative thinking. CCS states that a CogAT score of 112 or higher may lead to further creative-thinking assessment, which also includes a qualifying creative-behavior rating.
For more information, visit the CCS Gifted Identification & Assessments page.
Other Ways Students May Be Identified
- Specific academic ability: CCS uses i-Ready in Grades 2–8 for gifted identification in reading and mathematics.
- A student must score at or above the 95th percentile on an approved achievement measure to qualify for specific academic identification.
- Alternative achievement tests, including the Iowa Test of Basic Skills, may be used when appropriate.
- Parents and educators may submit referrals during the district's fall and spring gifted-testing windows.
What Happens if My Child Is Identified?
CCS offers a continuum of gifted services so families can choose a level of support that fits the student's needs.
- Cluster grouping, differentiation, and enrichment are available in neighborhood schools.
- Gifted reading and mathematics classes are available at selected schools for eligible students.
- Columbus Gifted Academy provides a self-contained option for Grades 3–8 students with qualifying high-need gifted profiles.
- Students receiving formal gifted services generally receive a Written Education Plan.
What Does the CogAT Measure?
- Verbal reasoning: relationships among words and ideas
- Quantitative reasoning: number relationships, patterns, and mathematical problem-solving
- Nonverbal reasoning: figure patterns, matrices, classification, and spatial thinking
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 CCS districtwide Grade 5 CogAT administration:
| Grade | CogAT Level |
|---|---|
| Grade V | Level 11 |
Students in other grades may take CogAT through alternative testing administered by the Gifted & Talented department. Please confirm the correct CogAT level for your child with CCS or your child's school before beginning preparation.
How to Prepare for CCS CogAT Testing
Help your child prepare for the CogAT by building broad reasoning skills rather than memorizing a single question type. For Columbus families, this is especially relevant before the fall Grade 5 CogAT.
- Practice verbal, quantitative, and nonverbal reasoning formats 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.
- Use occasional timed practice to build pattern recognition, attention, pacing, and confidence.
- Remember that gifted identification ultimately depends on CCS official assessment results and criteria.
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AceGiftedTest helps Grade 5 students become comfortable with the verbal, quantitative, and nonverbal reasoning formats measured by CogAT. Students receive unlimited full-length practice tests, detailed explanations, video tutorials, AI assistance, and personalized assignments focused on individual weak areas. Practice can also strengthen pattern recognition, analytical thinking, problem-solving, attention, and pacing while reducing uncertainty about unfamiliar question formats. Gifted identification ultimately depends on the district's official assessment results and criteria. No preparation program can guarantee gifted identification.
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Quick FAQs
Does Columbus City Schools use CogAT? Yes. CCS administers CogAT to all Grade 5 students and may also use it for alternative gifted testing.
When is Grade 5 CogAT administered? CCS states that the universal Grade 5 CogAT is administered in the fall. A specific 2026–27 public testing date has not been posted.
What CogAT score identifies superior cognitive ability? CCS publishes a required CogAT standard score of 128 for superior cognitive identification.
Does Grade 2 take CogAT? No. Grade 2 universal ability screening uses the NNAT-3; CogAT is the Grade 5 universal ability test.
Can parents request gifted testing? Yes. Fall referrals are accepted through October 31, and spring referrals are accepted from December 1 through mid-March.
Official CCS resources
Last reviewed: 2026-08-18
Help your child prepare for CCS testing
AceGiftedTest offers CogAT-style practice across verbal, quantitative, and nonverbal sections so students build familiarity with question formats before CCS Grade 5 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 Columbus City Schools (CCS). Gifted identification, Gifted & Talented services, CogAT and NNAT-3 screening, Columbus Gifted Academy placement, and related policies are set by CCS and the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce and may change each school year. Families should verify details with their child's school and on official CCS websites.