CogAT Testing for K –2 in Scottsdale Unified School District
Scottsdale Unified School District in Arizona, which consist of both High and Elementary schools, uses cognitive abilities test to identify students who can be eligible for gifted and talented education (GATE) services. These CogAT assessments for Kindergarten, Grade 1, and Grade 2 are conducted only once a year at the school site. Scottsdale Unified School District (SUSD) offers Gifted testing in the fall for grades K-1 and offers CogAT test for grade 2 in the winter.
Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) Details – SUSD
Scottsdale Unified School District in Arizona gifted identification process take utmost care of equity and fairness. SUSD only administers the state-approved CogAT form 7 test. Unlike the school performance tests, which assess the academic skills of these elementary kids, CogAT is used to measure the reasoning, problem-solving and critical thinking skills of a child.
CogAT Form 7 in Scottsdale Unified School District, tests Kindergarten, 1st Grade and 2nd Grade students by three separate batteries – Verbal battery, Quantitative battery and Non-Verbal battery. Each battery has three different question types.
Verbal Battery
- Picture Analogies
- Sentence Completion
- Picture Classification
Quantitative Battery
- Number Analogies
- Number Puzzles
- Number Series
Non-Verbal Battery
- Figure Matrices
- Paper Folding
- Figure Classification
Naglieri Nonverbal Ability Test (NNAT) by SUSD
Besides CogAT testing, Scottsdale Unified School District in Arizona also organizes Naglieri Non-verbal Ability Test to identify gifted students. NNAT evaluates nonverbal reasoning and general problem-solving skills and is considered to be culturally neutral as it includes minimal usage of reading, writing, or speaking skills.
The Naglieri Nonverbal Ability Test (NNAT) in SUSD, Arizona consists of the following four question types:-
- Pattern Completion
- Reasoning by Analogy
- Serial Reasoning
- Spatial Visualization
NNAT testing at SUSD happens in fall as well in spring and a student should be at least four years old at the time of testing and five years old by 1st September to appear in the NNAT.
How to prepare for CogAT test for K-2
The best way to prepare for Gifted testing is by exposing your child to the questions that can be asked in the CogAT test.
Most of the online CogAT test prep platforms just provide around 500 questions for the Kindergarten to Grade 2. Even most of the CogAT test prep workbooks which cost around $20, have only 150 Questions dedicated for this age group.
But there are still some good platforms like Gifted – CogAT test Prep which provides more than 3000 sample practice questions for CogAT preparation for Kindergarten, Grade 1, and Grade 2.
It is also important to make your child aware of the real-time exam environment of CogAT. This can only be achieved by practicing sample CogAT practice tests for the respective grade. Once your child’s test-taking muscle is built, you can start analyzing his performance and began correcting his mistakes for the final Cognitive Abilities Test.
CogAT Testing Registration in Scottsdale Unified School District
SUSD conducts CogAT tests for Kindergarten to Grade 1 in the fall. The tests will happen at the school site only. The CogAT testing for Grade 2 will happen in the winter. All Grade-2 students of Scottsdale Unified School District will be tested using the CogAT.
However, Gifted Pre-Kindergarten Academy (GPA) in SUSD will be offered throughout the spring, winter and summer only by prior appointment which can be scheduled after paying a non-refundable fee of $ 120.
Gifted testing for Pre-Kindergarten will take 1 hour(approx.) and parents/guardians are required to stay at the school site during the testing.
CogAT testing results for Scottsdale Unified School District will be sent by email.
To check latest updates about gifted testing in SUSD, visit – https://www.susd.org/domain/345
Eligibility – Gifted and Talented Education Program for K –2
Any student who scores ninety-seventh percentile or higher in Gifted testing or above in two or more of the three batteries assessed (Verbal, Quantitative, Non-Verbal) and the ninetieth percentile or above in the third area in Arizona state-approved test such as the CogAT will be eligible for Gifted and talented education services.
Comprehensive Gifted Program | CGP in SUSD
SUSD organises CGP, Comprehensive Gifted Program to test highly gifted, elementary and middle school students with unique educational opportunites. The multiage CGP classroom program in SUSD is designed for those who need a rapid pace, radical acceleration and enrichment opportunites. The CGP program is founded on academic rigor, thematic interdisciplinary studies, critical and creative thinking.
Following SUSP schools allow CGP registration for Kindergarten, Grade 1, and Grade 2. For information about the other grades, visit https://www.susd.org/Page/3750
| School | Grades |
|---|---|
| Hopi Elementary School | Grade 2 |
| Kiva Elementary School | Kindergarten, Grade 1 & Grade 2 |
| Redfield Elementary School | Kindergarten, Grade 1 & Grade 2 |
CGP tours and gifted testing services are available at all SUSD schools. Applications for CGP registration can be submitted to the gifted department in person or via email. For more information, please contact the school’s front office.