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Columbus City Schools: gifted testing

Dates and requirements change. Always confirm with Columbus City Schools directly. Last checked: 2026-10-28 · district website

Gifted & Talented

Grades K-12

Columbus gives the NNAT to all 2nd graders and the CogAT to all 5th graders in the fall; students who meet the screening bar are tested further before the end of the year. Parents can also refer a child online in two windows (fall and spring). Specific academic ability (reading, math) uses i-Ready in grades 2-8, with the 95th percentile required.

TestGradesWhoWhen
NNAT2All students testedFallsource
CogAT5All students testedFallsource
CogATK, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5Students referred online (NNAT-3 or CogAT)After the fall or spring referral windowsource
i-Ready (reading and math)2, 3, 4, 5All students testedFall (first day of school to late September)source

Published criteria

  • Superior cognitive ability: NNAT score of 126 or higher (about the 96th percentile). A score of 110+ screens for creative thinking. source
  • Superior cognitive ability: CogAT score of 128 or higher (about the 97th percentile). A score of 112+ screens for creative thinking. source
  • Specific academic ability: 95th percentile or higher in reading or math. source

Deadlines

  • Fall gifted testing referral (2026-10-31): Fall referrals accepted online from the first day of school to October 31. source
  • Spring gifted testing referral: Spring referrals accepted online from December 1 to mid-March (exact date not published). source

Get ready for Columbus City Schools's test

Start with a free readiness check. Pick Columbus City Schools during setup and the report shows how your child's estimate compares with the published cutoff.

Free readiness check

District information is compiled from public sources and may be incomplete, out of date or wrong. GiftedCub is not affiliated with Columbus City Schools. Confirm testing windows, deadlines, eligibility criteria and cutoffs directly with the district or school before relying on them. GiftedCub is not responsible for missed deadlines or decisions based on this information.

Sources: