It’s 9 p.m. Your child’s gifted and talented test is a few weeks away, and you want more practice questions. You open ChatGPT, ask for 20 CogAT questions for a second grader, and within seconds, you’ve got a complete practice test with answers and explanations.
Convenient? Absolutely.
But are those questions correct? Do they match what your child will encounter on test day? And is your child actually learning how to solve them?
Those questions matter more than most parents realize. Research shows that AI-generated educational materials can contain errors, and children who rely too heavily on AI assistance may struggle when asked to work independently.
For parents preparing children for the CogAT, NNAT, OLSAT, or other gifted and talented assessments, it’s worth understanding the risks before making AI their primary test preparation tool.
When AI Gives Your Child the Wrong Answer
ChatGPT can produce a convincing explanation for almost anything, including incorrect answers.
In a 2024 study published in PLOS ONE*, researchers at UC Berkeley examined mathematics assistance generated by an early version of ChatGPT. They found that 32% of the initial responses failed quality checks.
After additional screening and corrections, the AI-generated materials produced learning benefits. But without that screening, errors remained.
Now consider a seven-year-old practicing figure matrices for the NNAT. The child encounters a challenging pattern, reads an AI-generated explanation, and memorizes the method.
What if the explanation is wrong?
Most second graders won’t recognize faulty reasoning, particularly when they’re learning the concept for the first time. They may continue practicing the same mistake until it becomes familiar.
And familiarity can easily be mistaken for understanding.
Research Suggests AI Can Actually Hurt Learning
Incorrect answers aren’t the only concern. There’s also the temptation to let AI do the difficult thinking.
In a 2025 study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences*, researchers studied nearly 1,000 high school math students using AI tutoring tools.
Students who used a chatbot similar to ChatGPT performed 48% better during AI-assisted practice than students who didn’t.
But when the AI was removed for the exam, those same students scored 17% lower than students who had practiced without AI.
The researchers concluded that unrestricted access to AI could interfere with learning by allowing students to depend on the technology instead of developing their own problem-solving abilities.
The study involved high school mathematics, not gifted testing in elementary school. Still, the findings raise an important question for parents.
If your child is preparing for an assessment that measures independent reasoning, how much are they learning when a chatbot keeps supplying the answers?
The CogAT, NNAT, and OLSAT require children to identify patterns, recognize relationships, and solve unfamiliar problems.
On test day, no chatbot explains the next step.
Your child has to figure it out.
Why Trusted Practice Matters More Than AI Test Prep
Parents shouldn’t have to become test preparation experts to help their children succeed.
That’s one reason families have relied on TestingMom.com for more than 15 years.
TestingMom offers an established library of more than 450,000 practice questions across more than 100 assessments, including the CogAT, NNAT, OLSAT, MAP, and private school entrance exams.
Instead of generating a new set of questions every time a parent enters a prompt, TestingMom provides organized, test-specific practice materials designed around the skills children need to develop.
Children can work through interactive questions, printable worksheets, educational games, and lessons at their own pace.
Parents also have access to resources that make preparing less overwhelming:
- Test-specific practice: Questions organized around the assessments your child is preparing to take.
- Clear explanations: Help children understand how to approach unfamiliar question types.
- Interactive games and printables: Different ways to practice reasoning and academic skills.
- One-on-one tutoring: Personalized instruction when children need additional help.
- Family support: Access to TestingMom’s support team seven days a week.
The goal is to give children meaningful practice while helping parents feel more confident about the materials they’re using.
What Do Other Parents Think?
TestingMom has earned a 4.9 out of 5 rating on Trustpilot, based on more than 1,750 customer reviews as of November 2026.
Parents frequently praise the company’s practice resources, tutoring services, and customer support.
In an October 2026 review, parent Akash Khakole described a TestingMom team member who:
“truly went above and beyond to deliver excellent customer service.”
Other reviewers describe patient staff, helpful guidance, and the convenience of having practice materials available in one place.
You can read their experiences on TestingMom’s Trustpilot page.
For families facing an unfamiliar admissions process or gifted testing requirement, having a knowledgeable team available can make preparation much easier.
Make Your Child’s Practice Time Count
AI can help review concepts or suggest extra learning activities. But when preparing for an important assessment, parents should be cautious about relying on unverified questions and explanations.
Your child may have only a few weeks before their next testing window. Every practice session is an opportunity to strengthen their reasoning skills and become more comfortable with the questions they’ll encounter.
TestingMom gives families a structured way to prepare with test-specific practice, educational resources, and access to real tutors who not only have teaching experience, but also hold a bachelor’s degree (at minimum!).
No program can guarantee a particular score or placement. But parents can choose their preparation materials.
Give your child practice designed for the test they’re taking.
Explore TestingMom’s Test Prep Membership
Need more personalized guidance? Book your FREE 30-minute tutoring consultation to discuss your child’s preparation needs.
References:
https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0304013
https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2422633122
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