Educational institutions use the NNAT (Naglieri Nonverbal Ability Test) to qualify students from kindergarten through 12th grade for gifted and talented programs. Additionally, the NNAT employs a nonverbal model for assessing students, utilizing shapes and figures to evaluate their problem-solving abilities. Similar to the OLSAT, the NNAT does not test a child on what he or she has learned in school, but instead, focuses on visual-spatial reasoning skills. School districts throughout the United States use the NNAT as a popular test for admissions into gifted and talented programs. The NNAT3, the most recent version of the NNAT, features 48 questions divided into four distinct question types. These question types include:
- Pattern completion
- Reasoning by analogy
- Serial reasoning
- Spatial visualization
NNAT3 Testing and Preparation for Kindergarten Students
Age determines the scoring of the NNAT3 test, even though students are assigned to a version based on their current grade. Children entering or currently enrolled in kindergarten will take the Level A exam. This form of the exam doesn’t include all question types due to the child’s young age. Specifically, your child can expect to see “pattern completion” as well as “reasoning by analogy” questions.
Many parents may wonder if their pre-kindergarten or kindergarten student should use a bubble sheet to record responses. The answer is no. Typically, children will begin bubbling in their own answers once they reach the first or second grade. A mastery of pencil grip and visual-spatial abilities are necessary before a child can complete this step. To prepare for future testing, we always recommend that the child practices and gains early exposure by completing the lesson on bubble sheets. Below, we provide several sample questions intended for the kindergarten level, with each practice question reflecting a specific category of questions your child will encounter.
Are you interested in boosting your children’s NNAT confidence and familiarity? Well, you can join TestingMom.com for valuable parent lessons that can aid your child’s effective test preparation. Furthermore, these lessons complement our practice questions.
What abilities will be tested and what will the questions look like?
1) Pattern Completion
NNAT Pattern Completion for Kindergarten is an integral part of the Naglieri Nonverbal Ability Test, specifically tailored for young learners. In this assessment, children are presented with visual patterns and shapes, and their task is to identify missing elements within these patterns. This process involves recognizing the underlying patterns and completing the visual sequences.
Furthermore, NNAT Pattern Completion fosters critical thinking skills in young children by challenging them to observe and make connections between various visual elements. It encourages them to analyze and deduce how these elements fit together to form a complete pattern. This section provides valuable insights into a child’s nonverbal reasoning abilities and their potential for future academic success, supporting their cognitive development and problem-solving skills.
Example #1: Pattern Completion
Parent say to your child: Look at the pattern on top. A piece has been taken out of it. Choose the piece below the pattern that goes where the question mark is in order to complete the pattern.
Tip: On these questions your child will get 0 points for missing a question and 0 points for not answering a question- so it is always worth it to take a guess. Teach your child to narrow down the answer choices by eliminating answers that are clearly wrong.
Example #2: Pattern Completion
2) Reasoning by Analogy
NNAT Reasoning by Analogy is a crucial component of the Naglieri Nonverbal Ability Test for young kindergarten learners. In this assessment, children encounter visual elements and shapes, and they must recognize and apply analogical relationships among them. This involves identifying patterns, similarities, and correspondences among the visual elements, fostering their foundational cognitive development.
Moreover, NNAT Reasoning by Analogy enhances critical thinking skills in young children by encouraging them to make connections between different shapes and figures. This process challenges their ability to see relationships and draw conclusions, which are fundamental skills for problem-solving and logical reasoning. The assessment not only provides valuable insights into a child’s nonverbal reasoning abilities but also helps educators and parents gauge their potential for future academic success, supporting their growth and development.
Example #3: Reasoning by Analogy
Parent say to your child: Look at the figures on top. They go together in some way. Choose a figure from the answer row that goes with the figure(s) on the bottom the same way the figures on top go together.
Example #4: Reasoning by Analogy
Answer Key
1. D
2. C
3. C- Top and bottom boxes are the same
4. E- 2nd figure is a horizontally elongated version of the first
Looking to enhance your children’s confidence and familiarity with the NNAT? Enroll in TestingMom.com for helpful parent lessons that support effective test preparation, complementing our practice questions.