Gifted Testing
Tempe Elementary Schools is committed to providing all students with the opportunities and resources that bring about eye-opening discovery.
In alignment with Arizona standards, students qualify for giftedness in three recognized areas: Verbal, Quantitative, and Non-Verbal/Spatial. To best serve all students, we offer gifted testing throughout the year upon request.
Testing Timeline for the 2025-2026 School Year :
| Date of Testing | Deadline to Request Testing | Grade Levels | Test Used |
|---|---|---|---|
| August 25 - September 8, 2025 |
August 20, 2025
|
3rd & 5th |
Naglieri General Abilities Test (NGAT) |
| August 25 - September 8, 2025 |
August 20, 2025
|
6th, 7th, 8th |
Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) |
| October 20-31, 2025 | N/A | K & 1st | Naglieri General Abilities Test (NGAT) |
| October 20-31, 2025 | N/A | 2nd & 4th | Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) |
| March 24 - April 6, 2026 |
March 5, 2026
|
3rd & 5th |
Naglieri General Abilities Test (NGAT) |
| March 24 - April 6, 2026 |
March 5, 2026
|
6th, 7th, 8th |
Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) |
Interested in having your child screened for gifted?
Universal Gifted Screening
All kindergarten, first, second and fourth grade students enrolled in Tempe Elementary School District during the 2025-2026 school year will be tested for giftedness, at their school, between October 20 and October 31.
The Naglieri General Abilities Test will be universally administered to kindergarten and first graders in the 2025-2026 school year.
The state-approved test that was selected by the Arizona Department of Education for the second-grade universal gifted testing is called the Cognitive Abilities Test. The state-board-approved test that will be used for Tempe Elementary School District fourth-grade universal gifted testing is called the Cognitive Abilities Test.
If parents/guardians do not want their child to participate in this universal testing, they must contact their students’ school prior to the start of the test window to complete an opt-out form.
If the parents/guardians of students in universally tested grades want their child(ren) to participate in this testing, no action is needed.
Parents/guardians will be notified of the screener schedule closer to the date of testing.
Parents/guardians will be notified of results within three weeks of the completion of the testing.
If you need to request records for your child/student, utilize the Student Records Request Form
Frequently Asked Questions
- Will my student need to test each year to stay in the PACE program?
- My child was in a gifted program in another district, will they automatically be in the gifted program here in Tempe?
- If we move to another school, will my student continue to receive gifted services?
- How do I best prepare my student for testing?
Will my student need to test each year to stay in the PACE program?
My child was in a gifted program in another district, will they automatically be in the gifted program here in Tempe?
If we move to another school, will my student continue to receive gifted services?
How do I best prepare my student for testing?
Going Above and Beyond for Students
While the state of Arizona mandates that schools provide gifted services for students who score in the 97th percentile and higher on a state approved test, Tempe Elementary Schools provides gifted services for students who score in or above the 94th percentile.
We believe this opens doors for more students to benefit from challenging opportunities, allowing them to unlock their boundless potential.
Saturday Gifted Testing for Out-of-District Students
Tempe Elementary offers gifted testing at a cost of $130 for prospective K-8 students who are not currently enrolled in our district. The Naglieri General Abilities Test is administered to students in kindergarten through sixth grade. The Cognitive Abilities Test is administered to students in seventh and eighth grade. Testing starts at 8 a.m. and will take approximately two hours. Parents/guardians are asked to stay on site during the duration of the testing.
Gifted Testing Dates (Saturdays):
- November 15, 2025
(register by Nov. 1) - January 10, 2026
(register by Dec. 27) - March 28, 2026
(register by Mar. 14) - May 16, 2026
(register by May 2)
Registration is currently open and will close two weeks prior to the testing session, or once the testing session is at capacity. ALL students first register on a WAITLIST.
Interested in Saturday testing? You must first:
Submit a Request for Gifted Testing
Once approved, an email with payment instructions will be sent to finalize your student’s registration.
Contact Us
Amy Evans
Interim Gifted Coordinator
Email Amy Evans
(480) 730-7373