Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools: gifted testing

Academically or Intellectually Gifted (AIG)

Every second grader in general education is screened with the CogAT, an achievement test and a teacher rating scale. Points from these measures on the district rubric decide identification (AI, IG, AG, AM or AR). Students in grades 3-12 can be referred through the school's AIG Site-Based Committee.

Published criteria

• Points rubric: a CogAT overall age composite (VQN) at the 96th-99th percentile earns 12 points, which alone meets the 12-point threshold for AI identification. Lower composites (89th-95th = 6 points, 77th-88th = 4 points) can combine with achievement and rating-scale points. source
• Single-subject paths: AM (math) or AR (reading) need 6 points from the matching CogAT battery (96th-99th = 4, 89th-95th = 3, 77th-88th = 2) plus the matching achievement percentile (i-Ready, NC EOG/EOC or Iowa). source
• Second graders not identified after testing can enter the portfolio review if they meet one listed criterion, for example a 77th-88th percentile CogAT overall composite, or 84th percentile or higher in three or more Gifted Rating Scales domains. source

Deadlines

• Portfolio scoring (2nd grade) (2027-01-25): January 25-29, 2027, for students who meet traditional criteria; March 15-19, 2027 for students meeting specific criteria with one or more factors; May 10-12, 2027 for new-to-CMS students. source

Appeals / retesting: No appeal process is described on the identification page. A student may be considered for district rescreening once at least 24 months have passed since their last CMS screening. Outside testing is not accepted for identification. source