NNAT FAQ
Questions & Answers
Find the answers to your NNAT questions below. Learn about test preparation, test score interpretations, and everything else you need to know about the NNAT.
About the NNAT
The Naglieri Nonverbal Ability Test (NNAT) is a nonverbal measure of general ability. It measures nonverbal reasoning and problem-solving skills, often used to determine eligibility for gifted programs from pre-K to 12th grade.
The NNAT provides a fair assessment of cognitive ability, independent of language or academic achievement. It's especially helpful for identifying gifted children who may not test well on traditional exams due to learning differences or language barriers.
The NNAT levels the playing field for students from diverse backgrounds. Because it contains no reading, writing, or math, it minimizes cultural and linguistic bias. Students solve problems using shapes and patterns, making it an inclusive and equitable tool.
Not at all. Many verbal children also excel at abstract thinking. The NNAT doesn’t penalize strong verbal learners—it simply gives nonverbal thinkers a fair chance to shine.
NNAT Preparation
Familiarity is key. Our NNAT practice packs include full-length tests, detailed explanations, video tutorials, and guided study plans that help children build the logic and visual reasoning skills required to succeed.
We know test prep isn't always fun, so our materials are designed to feel like games. Parent manuals include easy activities like puzzle-solving, which build the exact skills needed for NNAT success.
TestPrep-Online Tutor's Tip:
"I often tell parents to do puzzles with their kids. Whether it’s jigsaws, tangrams, or building blocks, these activities train the brain for pattern recognition and spatial reasoning—exactly what the NNAT tests."
What's on the NNAT?
There are seven levels (A-G), each aligned with a general grade range. For example, Level C is for 2nd grade, while Level D covers both 3rd and 4th grades.
There are 4 nonverbal question types: Pattern Completion, Reasoning by Analogy, Serial Reasoning, and Spatial Visualization. Younger levels focus on fewer types, while levels C-E cover all four.
The NNAT contains 48 questions and must be completed in 30 minutes.
The NNAT has seven different test levels (A-G). Each test levels correspond to different age groups. However, they do not always match up to individual grades. For example, the NNAT Level C is given to 2nd grade students, but the NNAT Level D is administered for both 3rd and 4th grade students. Test levels can also vary in which question types they use. There are four different types of questions, but only three levels test children on all four question types. See the following table for each age group’s corresponding test level.
| Level | Grade | Pattern Completion | Reasoning by Analogy | Serial Reasoning | Spatial Visualization |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | Kindergarten |  |
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| B | Grade 1 | |
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| C | Grade 2 | |
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| D | Grades 3-4 | |
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| E | Grades 5-6 | |
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| F | Grades 7-9 | |
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| G | Grades 10-12 | |
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NNAT Scoring
Your child’s raw score (number of correct answers) is converted into:
Nonverbal Ability Index (NAI): Normalized for age (not grade level).
Percentile Rank: How your child compares to same-age peers.
Many gifted programs require:
NAI of 132 or higher (2 standard deviations above average)
Percentile rank of 92–95%+, depending on the district
TestPrep-Online Tutor's Tip:
“It’s not about perfection—it’s about recognizing potential. Even students who don’t score in the 99th percentile can qualify for G&T if the test reveals strong reasoning skills.”
Registering My Child
Registration happens through your school district or a licensed psychologist. There’s no national testing date, so be sure to check locally.
If your child is gifted, yes. G&T programs offer more challenge, faster pacing, and peers who think at a similar level—resulting in a more enriching and engaging education.
NNAT vs. CogAT vs. CAT4 vs. OLSAT: Which Test Is Right for Your Child?
|
Feature |
NNAT |
CogAT |
CAT4 |
OLSAT |
|
Focus |
Nonverbal reasoning |
Verbal, Quantitative, Nonverbal |
Verbal, Nonverbal, Quantitative, Spatial |
Verbal & Nonverbal Reasoning |
|
Skills Tested |
Pattern recognition, analogies |
Verbal analogies, number patterns, figures |
Verbal reasoning, figure matrices, number & pattern reasoning |
Aural reasoning, classification, pattern completion |
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Language-Free? |
Yes |
No – includes verbal section |
Partially – includes verbal reasoning |
No – language comprehension is required |
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Grade Levels |
K–12 |
K–12 |
Grades 2+ |
Pre-K–12 |
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Purpose |
Gifted program placement |
Cognitive profiling, gifted screening |
UK/International gifted entry |
U.S. gifted and enrichment program placement |
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Administration |
30 min, online or paper |
90 min, online or paper |
2 hrs, online or paper |
60–75 min, online or paper |
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Score Format |
NAI, Percentile |
SAS, Percentile |
SAS, Stanine, Percentile |
SAI (School Ability Index), Percentile |
TestPrep-Online Tutor's Tip:
“If your child is strong visually, the NNAT might give them a better shot at standing out. But if your school uses verbal-heavy assessments like the OLSAT or CogAT, prep needs to cover more language-based reasoning.”
Prepare for the NNAT with TestPrep-Online
Getting ready for the NNAT? TestPrep-Online is here to help! We offer specific NNAT practice packs designed to ease your child's prepping process, and get the grade s/he deserves. access a collection of practice tests, hundreds of sample questions, detailed explanations, and study guides.
Prepare for the NNAT with Confidence
Help your child shine on test day. Our NNAT practice packs include:
Grade-specific full-length tests
Hundreds of sample questions
In-depth explanations
Engaging visuals
Parent-friendly study guides
