Gifted Testing
Our Testing Process
Gifted testing opportunities are provided three times a year as mandated by the Arizona Department of Education.
PVSchools' gifted assessments ensure fairness to the District’s ethnically diverse population. The assessment battery includes tools that are language-free and culturally unbiased to provide equal opportunities for the identification of the District’s English Learners and culturally diverse students.
Arizona State Approved Identifying Tests (PDF)
The PVSchools Gifted Education Department will email written notification of test results to parents and guardians within 2-3 weeks of test administration. Parent notification includes the gifted testing results and program placement.
Parent notification is provided in English and in Spanish on the NNAT2. Test results are available in Spanish for the CogAT upon request. Translation services are available for families who speak other languages.
- Incoming Preschool
- Incoming Kindergarten
- Grades K-6
- Middle School and High School
- Out of PVSchools Testing (Grades K-8)
- Previous Gifted Testing Results
Incoming Preschool
Incoming preschool gifted testing is by appointment only. You may schedule by calling the Gifted Testing Technician at (602) 449-2112. A non-refundable testing fee of $180 must be paid at least two weeks prior to testing. District school psychologists administer one of the following Arizona State Board approved IQ tests:
- Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scales-Fifth Edition for Early Childhood (SB5 EARLY)
- Wechsler Nonverbal Scale of Ability (WNV)
Students must be between 3.5 and 4.5 years old for the SB5.
Students must be between 4.0 and 4.5 years old for the WNV.
Students qualify for gifted preschool by obtaining a score at or above the 90th percentile in verbal, quantitative, and/or nonverbal areas. Depending on the scores received, additional testing may be needed for gifted services in elementary school.
You may also seek private testing with one of PVSchools' approved private providers.
Incoming Kindergarten
Incoming kindergarten gifted testing is by appointment only. You may schedule by calling the Gifted Testing Technician at (602) 449-2112. PVSchools administers the following Arizona State Board approved identification test:
- Naglieri Nonverbal Ability Test 3rd Edition (NNAT3)
Students must be between 4.5 and 5.0 years old for this test to be administered.
Students qualify for gifted services by obtaining a score at or above the 97th percentile in verbal, quantitative, and/or nonverbal areas.
A non-refundable testing fee of $50 must be paid at least two weeks prior to testing for those who do not reside in the PVSchools' boundaries. You may also seek private testing with one of PVSchools' approved private providers.
Grades K-6
PVSchools administers one of the following Arizona State Board approved identification tests:
- Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT)
- Naglieri Nonverbal Ability Test (NNAT2)
Parents, students, teachers, school administrators, Special Education staff members, and Language Acquisition staff members may nominate students for gifted testing. Parent permission is required for individuals nominated for gifted testing. Nomination forms are available to teachers. Parent permission forms may be completed during the specified open and close window.
Students will be tested during the regularly scheduled test period at the student’s school of attendance.
Testing is offered three times each year as follows:
- Fall session (CogAT): Students in grades 4-6 who may qualify for the Content Replacement classroom.
- Winter session (NNAT2): English Learners (ELs) or former EL students.
- Spring session (CogAT): Any currently enrolled K-6 student.
Testing administration guidelines require that 12 months pass before the same test is administered again.
Testing accommodations are made for students with disabilities according to the students’ IEP or Section 504 Accommodation Plan. This testing takes place in June if any accommodations need to be met.
Make-up testing is available in June for students who were unable to complete testing during their school's regularly scheduled testing dates due to illness. Students must have had a completed permission slip and have been on the original gifted testing roster.
Students qualify for gifted services by obtaining a score at or above the 97th percentile in verbal, quantitative, and/or nonverbal areas.
Middle School and High School
Gifted testing for students in middle school or high school can be arranged by appointment throughout the school year. Gifted testing takes place during the regular school day by a trained Testing Proctor. You may schedule an appointment by calling the Gifted Testing Technician at (602) 449-2112. PVSchools administers one of the following Arizona State Board approved identification tests:
- Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT)
- Naglieri Nonverbal Ability Test (NNAT2)
Students may qualify for placement in an honors course by meeting district requirements for placement in the gifted program. In addition, a combination of previous success in the subject area, superior performance on related achievement tests, and/or recommendation by previous teachers of the subject may be considered. Verify program eligibility with the middle or high school of your choice.
Out of PVSchools Testing (Grades K-8)
Gifted testing for students residing but not attending a PV school are scheduled by appointment only. You may schedule by calling the Gifted Testing Technician at (602) 449-2112. Testing is offered twice each year. PVSchools administers the following Arizona State Board approved identification test:
- Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT)
Parents must transport the students to the testing location and remain present throughout the test administration.
Students qualify for gifted services in PVSchools by obtaining a score at or above the 97th percentile in verbal, quantitative, and/or nonverbal areas.
You may seek private testing with one of PVSchools' approved private providers.
Students not residing in the PVSchools' attendance boundary:
PVSchools is unable to provide gifted testing for students who are not enrolled in a PV school and reside outside of PVSchools' boundaries. Contact your neighborhood school district for gifted testing information. You may seek private testing with one of PVSchools' approved private providers.
Previous Gifted Testing Results
Previous testing provided by another school district, whether inside or outside the state of Arizona, should be emailed to the Gifted Testing Technician. The Gifted Education Department will evaluate the scores and provide the school with the results; scores should NOT be sent to the individual school. Students qualify for gifted services in PVSchools by obtaining a score at or above the 97th percentile in verbal, quantitative, and/or nonverbal areas.
Testing Schedule
PVSchools' Gifted Testing Schedule
Fall, spring, and universal testing sessions for the 2023-2024 school year. Testing is not scheduled on early release days.
Make-up Testing Dates:
- Fall (CogAT 4-6): October 25-26, 2023
- Spring (CogAT K-1, 3-6): May 28-29, 2024
Students must have been on the original testing session roster to attend the make-up testing date. There will be no new additions.
- Boulder Creek
- Cactus View
- Campo Bello
- Copper Canyon
- Desert Cove
- Desert Shadows Elementary
- Desert Springs Preparatory
- Desert Trails
- Eagle Ridge
- Echo Mountain Primary
- Echo Mountain Intermediate
- Fireside
- Grayhawk
- Hidden Hills
- Indian Bend
Boulder Creek
Cactus View
Campo Bello
Copper Canyon
Desert Cove
Desert Shadows Elementary
Desert Springs Preparatory
Desert Trails
Eagle Ridge
Echo Mountain Primary
Echo Mountain Intermediate
Fireside
Grayhawk
Hidden Hills
Indian Bend
- Larkspur
- Liberty
- Mercury Mine
- North Ranch
- Palomino Primary
- Palomino Intermediate
- Pinnacle Peak Preparatory
- Quail Run
- Sandpiper
- Sky Crossing
- Sonoran Sky
- Sunset Canyon
- Whispering Wind
- Wildfire
Larkspur
Liberty
Mercury Mine
North Ranch
Palomino Primary
Palomino Intermediate
Pinnacle Peak Preparatory
Quail Run
Sandpiper
Sky Crossing
Sonoran Sky
Sunset Canyon
Whispering Wind
Wildfire
Testing Permission Forms
Testing administration guidelines require that 12 months pass before the same test is administered again; this includes testing from outside providers. Gifted Department approval is required for a student to be tested more than three times.
Fall Testing Permission Form
Grades 4-6 are tested from September through November according to the school schedule. The fall testing permission form opens July 17, 2023 and will close August 25, 2023. Schools will NOT have individual permission form due dates.
Make-up Testing Dates:
- Fall (CogAT 4-6): October 25-26, 2023
- Spring (CogAT K-1, 3-6): May 28-29, 2024
Students must have been on the original testing session roster to attend the make-up testing date. There will be no new additions.
Spring Testing Permission Form
Grades K-1 and 3-6 are tested from February through March according to the school schedule. The Spring Testing Permission Form opens December 11, 2023 and will close Friday, February 2, 2024. Schools will NOT have individual permission form due dates. The Spring Testing Permission Form will be posted as soon as it is available.
Make-up Testing Dates:
- Spring (CogAT K-1, 3-6): May 28-29, 2024
Students must have been on the original testing session roster to attend the make-up testing date. There will be no new additions.
Universal Testing Opt Out Form
Private Testing
The Gifted Education Department will accept private test scores from psychologists who are on our approved list of outside providers. Testing administration guidelines require that 12 months pass before the same test is administered again; this includes testing from outside providers.
Upon receiving the private provider's evaluation, email the results and the full psychological evaluation to the Gifted Testing Technician. The Gifted Education Department will evaluate the report and provide the school with the results; private provider evaluations should NOT be sent to the individual school. Students qualify for gifted services in PVSchools by obtaining a score at or above the 97th percentile in verbal, quantitative, and/or nonverbal areas and/or a Full Scale IQ (FSIQ) of 128 or above.
Private Provider Information
- Beljan Psychological Services
- CENTER Psychology & Consulting
- Arizona Child Psychology
- Serin Center
- NEST Psychology
- Milestones
- The Reuter Center
- Neuropsychology Specialists: Lanie Zigler, Ph.D.
- Phoenix Children's Hospital
- Simply Psychology, LLC
- Valerie R. Hoffman, Psy.D.
Beljan Psychological Services
CENTER Psychology & Consulting
Arizona Child Psychology
Serin Center
NEST Psychology
Visit the NEST Psychology Website
15650 N. Black Canyon Hwy., Suite B140, Phoenix, AZ 85053
Milestones
The Reuter Center
Neuropsychology Specialists: Lanie Zigler, Ph.D.
Visit the Neuropsychology Specialists: Lanie Zigler, Ph.D. Website
2633 E. Indian School Road, Suite 310, Phoenix, AZ 85016
Phoenix Children's Hospital
Simply Psychology, LLC
Visit the Simply Psychology, LLC Website
2930 E. Northern Ave., Suite A-105, Phoenix, AZ 85028
Valerie R. Hoffman, Psy.D.
Visit Valerie R. Hoffman, Psy.D.'s Website
9965 N. 95th St., Suite 101, Scottsdale, AZ 85258
Procedure to submit scores from a provider not listed above:
- If a student has been tested by an outside provider who has not been previously approved by the Gifted Education Department, the parent may submit the scores for consideration.
- The Gifted Education Department will review the report to verify the qualifications of the provider, the validity of the testing conducted, and its acceptance of the test scores.
- The Gifted Education Department reserves the right to deny approval of an outside provider’s evaluation results or to otherwise require corroboration of the validity of test scores received as follows:
- If a Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) has not been administered within 12 months, the student will be tested by the district within three weeks at no cost using the test.
- If a CogAT has been used within the last 12 months, the student must wait to become eligible to test using the CogAT or the district will administer the Naglieri Nonverbal Ability Test (NNAT2).
- Parents may elect to retest their student privately with one of the district’s approved providers. Testing administration guidelines require that 12 months pass before the same test is administered again.
Gifted Testing FAQs
- Where can I find my student's gifted testing scores?
- Universal Testing; When will I receive test results?
- How do I know if I should have my child tested?
- What is the process for having my child tested?
- What scores are needed to qualify for services?
- If my child does not qualify for gifted services can he/she retest at another time?
- For what reasons would I consider outside testing?
- Who provides the testing? When will I receive test results?
Where can I find my student's gifted testing scores?
Gifted testing scores are now viewable for parents/guardians via the Infinite Campus Online Gradebook linked here: Infinite Campus link.
Once logged in:
- select the "Menu" icon,
- then select "More",
- and then "Assessments".
Universal Testing; When will I receive test results?
How do I know if I should have my child tested?
While every gifted child is different, there are a number of characteristics and traits that many gifted children share. Visit the Characteristics and Signs of Giftedness page here for more information: Characteristics and Signs of Giftedness.
What is the process for having my child tested?
PVSchools adheres to the guidelines set by the State of Arizona Gifted Mandate. We offer testing three times a year at all the district’s elementary schools. There is a scheduled week for testing during the fall, winter, and spring at each school. Parents, teachers, and administrators may nominate students for gifted testing.
What scores are needed to qualify for services?
If my child does not qualify for gifted services can he/she retest at another time?
Testing administration guidelines require that 12 months pass before the same test is administered again; this includes testing from outside providers. It is generally recommended to wait two years before retesting. If the student scores in the high 80th to mid 90th percentile, parents and teachers may consider retesting in the future. Retesting a child more than twice usually does not provide drastically different results.
For what reasons would I consider outside testing?
Testing administered in the school district yields valid and reliable results. Psychologists can administer different types of tests than are available in the schools. Some parents choose private testing by a trained psychologist when they are seeking a broader understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of a child, or if they believe that individual testing would be more appropriate for their child.
Who provides the testing? When will I receive test results?
PVSchools employs a team of gifted testing proctors to administer testing to each school site. The proctors are experienced teachers with training in gifted testing administration. Each proctor is assigned a group of schools, and works closely with the Gifted Specialists to schedule and organize testing at each school.
The Gifted Education Department oversees the evaluation and reporting process. Parents will receive test results within 2-3 weeks upon completion of testing at the school site. Parent notification letters are emailed to the parent or guardian's email address(es) that are provided in Infinite Campus.