MPS Gifted & Talented — Parent FAQs
Key dates for MPS families
- November and December: Grade 2 CogAT universal screening - All second graders in MPS take the CogAT as the district's universal ability screening measure.
- January: Results shared with families - Results shared with families.
- Throughout the school year: Services and enrichment - Students may receive enrichment, differentiation, acceleration, or other services based on their strengths and learning needs.
The 2026–27 districtwide CogAT testing window has not yet been made public. Please check directly with your child's school or gifted counselor for exact dates and other testing information.
Who Takes the CogAT?
All Grade 2 students in Milwaukee Public Schools take the CogAT.
CogAT measures learned reasoning and problem-solving in verbal, quantitative, and nonverbal areas.
Students in other grades may be evaluated through additional district measures when more information is needed.
How Does MPS Identify Gifted and Advanced Learners?
MPS uses several measures to identify students who may benefit from gifted services or specialized programs. The district also uses local norms, which compare students with peers in their own school or district context and can help identify advanced potential across Milwaukee's diverse student population.
For more information, visit the MPS Gifted and Talented page.
Identification Measures MPS May Use
- CogAT for all Grade 2 students
- Teacher Observation of Potential in Students (TOPS) in Grades K5–5
- i-Ready reading and mathematics achievement data in Grades K5–8
- Wisconsin Forward Exam results in Grades 3–8
- Individual intellectual assessment when appropriate
What Happens if My Child Is Identified?
Students formally identified as High Ability/High Potential or Gifted and Talented receive an identification flag in Infinite Campus that follows them through MPS.
Services begin primarily in the classroom and may include flexible cluster grouping, curriculum compacting, tiered assignments, inquiry-based learning, accelerated or replacement curriculum, and STEM opportunities. Depending on the student's needs, MPS may also provide specialized programs, single-subject acceleration, or whole-grade acceleration.
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 MPS Grade 2 gifted screening:
| Grade | CogAT Level |
|---|---|
| Grade II | Level 8 |
Please confirm the correct CogAT level for your child with MPS or your child's school before beginning preparation.
How to Prepare for MPS 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 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 attention, pacing, and confidence.
- Keep practice low-pressure and continue strengthening classroom reading and mathematics skills.
Practicing daily or every other day makes test-taking second nature to your child
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Test Preparation Journey
Familiarization
Learning about the types of questions that are asked in the test.
Learning
Knowing how to approach the question and what makes an answer correct.
Proficiency
Improving speed to make sure the test is completed in time.
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Quick FAQs
Does Milwaukee Public Schools use CogAT? Yes. MPS gives CogAT to all Grade 2 students as a districtwide ability screener.
Is Grade 2 universal screening? Yes. All Grade 2 students are screened using the CogAT.
Is CogAT the only factor in identification? No. MPS uses a multicriteria process that can include achievement data, teacher observations, local norms, and other assessments.
When will Grade 2 students take CogAT in 2026–27? MPS has not yet posted a public districtwide date. Families should confirm the exact schedule with their school.
What services may identified students receive? Services may include differentiation, enrichment, cluster grouping, compacted or accelerated curriculum, and specialized programs.
Who can parents contact with questions? Parents may contact their child's school or the MPS Gifted and Talented office.
Official MPS resources
Last reviewed: 2026-08-01
Help your child prepare for MPS testing
AceGiftedTest offers CogAT-style practice across verbal, quantitative, and nonverbal sections so students build familiarity with question formats before MPS 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 Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS). Gifted and Talented identification, CogAT screening, local norms, and related policies are set by MPS and may change each school year. Families should verify details with their child's school and on official MPS websites.