How long will the testing take? It depends on the test that your student is taking. If your child is in ECE, kindergarten, second, or sixth grade, the test will take no more than 30 minutes to complete (most students take less than 15 minutes when administered in a one-on-one environment).
If your child is in first, third, fourth, fifth, seventh, or eighth grade, or high school the CogAT/NGAT can take up to two hours, if done at one time. If completed without breaks, the test takes 90 minutes to complete.
If your child is taking the test at their school, many GT teachers may opt to break the testing out into multiple sessions over the course of the week depending on the school’s schedule.
How will my child be tested? The NNAT and the CogAT are online tests. The school may test the students on an iPad, Chromebook, or computer. The testing may be completed in one day or over several days, please contact the GT teacher at your child's school for more information about the testing environment.
For out of district students: The testing will be conducted at our offices at 1860 Lincoln and will be scheduled via Sign Up Genius. All tests will be completed with a touch-screen iPad. The testing will be conducted in one session (with breaks if testing with the CogAT).
My child has not been exposed to technology (or has limited exposure). How will this impact their scores? Students with limited exposure to technology will likely not be impacted during the testing. The proctors will instruct the students on how to navigate the test during a few sample questions to ensure that they understand the testing process and how to answer with the available technology.
My child did not feel well during the test and I think it may negatively impact their scores. What do I do? Please contact our office as soon as possible. In those circumstances, a student can be retested, but only if the initial scores are rendered invalid. You must contact me prior to receiving your child’s results in order for us to consider the need for a retest. Please do not allow a sick child to be testing. If they attend the testing session, then we will assume that they are well enough to take the test.
Does the CogAT consider colorblindness? Yes! All informational graphics went through a composition check to ensure coherency to a color-deficient student. Art was processed through a color blindness simulator which renders images as they would appear to individuals with Protanopia, Deuteranopia and Tritanopia. Using these simulations as a guide, any art requiring modification was addressed by choosing patterns and/or color contrast that was acceptable for colorblindness. The revised art was resubmitted for validation and retested using the color-blindness simulator to ensure viability.
Still have questions? Contact Stacey Pendleton (stacey_pendleton@dpsk12.org) or call us at 720-423-2056.