San Ramon Valley Unified School District

GATE Testing

2023-2024 SCHOOL YEAR

The CogAT will be administered to 2nd graders once during the 2023-2024 school year. The window for testing will be February 12 through February 23, 2024. Sites will send more information to families regarding the same. Please reach out to your student's school site if you have any additional questions.

New students in SRVUSD in Grades 3 through 7 and SRVUSD students in grades 3 and 4 who have previously taken the CogAT test with us, will also have an opportunity to test.

IDENTIFICATION AND COGNITIVE ABILITIES TEST (CogAT) INFORMATION

San Ramon Valley Unified School District (SRVUSD) uses the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) to measure the reasoning skills of students in the elementary grade level. Currently it is also used to identify students eligible for Gifted and Talented Education (GATE). This test consists of three areas which measure verbal, quantitative and nonverbal reasoning. Students with a National Age Percentile Rank (APR) of 98 or above will be identified as GATE. Additionally, students with National Age Percentile Rank (APR) of 97 and have scored a 99 in one of the three areas (Verbal, Quantitative or Nonverbal) will be identified as GATE. The results of CogAT are also used for eligibility for the Academic Talent Program (ATP) selection process. To learn how CogAT is used for ATP eligibility, please go to the ATP webpage.

Because the CogAT is not related to grade level standards, teachers do not use the results to assess students' progress at school. CogAT results have no impact on students’ access to accelerated, honors, or advanced courses in future years. Because the CogAT content is challenging and is used for the purpose of GATE identification, the testing may not be necessary for all students. In particular, it may cause anxiety in some students and not be in their best interest to participate. Our district does not recommend any materials for CogAT preparation. Students are encouraged to take the CogAT with minimal test preparation so that we get an accurate measure of the students' reasoning skills.

COGAT TESTING FOR GRADE 2:

All 2nd grade students are provided an opportunity to take the CogAT at their school. Parents of 2nd grade students may exempt their child from taking the CogAT by contacting their child's teacher.

NEW STUDENTS IN GRADES 3-8 PREVIOUSLY IDENTIFIED AS GIFTED IN FORMER DISTRICT:

Previously identified gifted students who enter SRVUSD are considered for GATE identification as determined by the SRVUSD's GATE identification criteria. Parents should provide their student’s GATE identification paperwork to their school office. The paperwork needs to include: 1. Document that certifies that the student was in a gifted program, and 2. Name of assessment measure(s) and student’s scores used to qualify the student for GATE. Please contact Tiffany Marquez if you have questions.

District Contact Information