NYC Gifted and Talented Programs
NYC Gifted and Talented Programs: Admissions, Eligibility, and Historical Changes
New York City Gifted & Talented programs provide accelerated instruction for eligible elementary school students. These programs are intended for children who demonstrate readiness for a faster pace, greater academic depth, and more challenging learning experiences.
The NYC Gifted & Talented admissions process has changed significantly over the years. Families should be careful when reading older articles because information about the OLSAT®, NNAT®, qualifying scores, and citywide testing dates no longer describes the current admissions system.
Today, children may apply for entry into kindergarten or grades 1 through 4. The eligibility process differs based on the grade a child will enter.
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A Historical Note About NYC Gifted Admissions
For many years, admission to New York City Gifted & Talented programs was based primarily on a citywide standardized testing process.
Children applying for the early elementary grades took assessments that included the OLSAT (Otis-Lennon School Ability Test) and, at different points, the Bracken School Readiness Assessment or the NNAT. These tests evaluated abilities such as verbal reasoning, nonverbal reasoning, listening, pattern recognition, classification, school readiness, and problem-solving.
Under that former system, children received percentile scores that determined whether they were eligible to apply to district or citywide programs. Historically, a score at or above the 90th percentile generally qualified a student to apply to district programs, while a score at or above the 97th percentile qualified a student to apply to citywide programs. Because seats were limited, children often needed scores well above those minimums to receive an offer.
That testing system was discontinued in 2021. The city briefly proposed or used other approaches, including nominations, questionnaires, interviews, and lotteries, before developing the current eligibility process.
Families should therefore view old testing statistics, qualifying scores, admissions tables, and OLSAT preparation timelines as historical information rather than current requirements.
What Is the NYC Gifted and Talented Program?
NYC Gifted & Talented programs offer accelerated instruction within public elementary schools. Students may work at a faster pace, explore subjects in greater depth, and participate in more complex problem-solving and enrichment activities.
New York City has traditionally offered two broad types of G&T programs:
District Gifted and Talented Programs
District programs operate within schools that may also offer general education and other programs. Students in G&T classes may participate with other students for activities such as art, music, physical education, or schoolwide events.
Some district programs give priority in admissions to eligible students who live within a particular geographic district. However, simply living in a school’s attendance zone does not necessarily provide priority for its G&T program.
Citywide Gifted and Talented Programs
Citywide programs are open to eligible applicants from across New York City. These schools generally provide gifted programming throughout the school rather than operating a small G&T track within a larger general education school.
Citywide programs are highly sought after, and eligibility does not guarantee an offer.
Families should review each program’s current admissions priorities, grade structure, curriculum, and seat availability in MySchools.
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NYC Gifted and Talented Eligibility for Kindergarten
Families applying to kindergarten may include G&T programs on the regular kindergarten application. A child’s eligibility is determined after the application is submitted.
The kindergarten process no longer uses the former citywide OLSAT or NNAT admissions tests.
Children Currently Attending Pre-K
Children attending a participating NYC public school, Pre-K Center, community-based organization, or charter school are evaluated by their current pre-K teachers.
Teachers consider behaviors that may indicate readiness for accelerated learning. The review is intended to consider the whole child and the different verbal and nonverbal ways young children demonstrate their abilities.
Areas considered may include:
- Curiosity and questioning
- Observation and exploration
- Creativity and imagination
- Persistence when facing a challenge
- Problem solving
- Engagement and focus
- Independent thinking
- Self-direction
- Self-reflection and emotional regulation
- Collaboration and social awareness
- Verbal and nonverbal communication
Teachers are encouraged to consider patterns of behavior across multiple observations rather than relying on one isolated performance.
Children in Private or Parochial Programs or Not Yet Enrolled in School
Families first list G&T programs on the child’s kindergarten application. After the application closes, eligible applicants may be contacted to participate in an interview conducted by early childhood education professionals.
The interview helps determine whether the child demonstrates readiness for accelerated learning.
How Kindergarten G&T Offers Are Made
Once eligibility has been determined, eligible children are considered for offers based on:
- The programs listed on the child’s application
- The order in which the family ranked those programs
- Seat availability
- Sibling priorities
- District priorities at certain programs
- Diversity in Admissions priorities, where applicable
- The child’s randomly assigned admissions number when a tiebreaker is required
Eligibility means that a child may be considered for a G&T seat. It does not guarantee admission.
Families should place programs in their true order of preference. The admissions system will attempt to offer the highest-ranked program available to the child based on eligibility and admissions priorities.
NYC Gifted and Talented Eligibility for Grades 1 Through 4
Children entering grades 1, 2, 3 or 4 follow a different process from kindergarten applicants.
For students currently attending a New York City public school, eligibility is generally based on the child’s most recently available report card.
Students must typically:
- Earn grades of 3 or 4, or the equivalent, in mathematics, reading, and writing
- Have no grade of 1 during the current school year in mathematics, reading, writing, science or social studies
Once students meet the grade requirements, they are treated as eligible applicants. A student with higher qualifying grades does not necessarily receive a higher admissions ranking than another eligible student.
Students attending private, parochial, or charter schools must submit their report card information to NYC Public Schools for review. Grades are converted to the city’s eligibility scale.
Homeschooled students may also be considered after their academic records are reviewed.
How Offers for Grades 1 Through 4 Are Made
Offers are based on:
- Eligibility
- The family’s ranked application choices
- Available seats
- Program admissions priorities
- Sibling priority
- District priority at participating programs
- Diversity in Admissions priorities
- The applicant’s random number when necessary
Admission to the upper grades can be especially competitive because many programs have only a small number of seats available after currently enrolled students advance to the next grade.
Not all eligible applicants will receive an offer.
Is There an NYC G&T Application for Grade 5?
The current elementary G&T application process is for children entering kindergarten through grade 4. Families should not rely on older information stating that children can enter a G&T program through a separate grade 5 admissions process.
Students already enrolled in a school that continues through fifth grade may remain in their program, but there is not a general citywide G&T application for entry into grade 5.
Middle school admissions operate through a separate process. Families interested in academically accelerated middle schools should research screened, selective, and specialized program options in MySchools.
What Is Taught in NYC Gifted and Talented Programs?
There is no single standardized gifted curriculum used identically by every NYC school.
All public schools must teach applicable New York State learning standards, but individual G&T programs may differ in their instructional methods, enrichment opportunities, and schoolwide focus.
Common features may include:
- Faster-paced instruction
- Greater depth and complexity
- Above-grade-level learning opportunities
- Advanced reading and mathematical thinking
- Research and independent projects
- Inquiry-based instruction
- Creative problem solving
- Science, technology, engineering and arts enrichment
- Collaborative learning
- Leadership opportunities
One school may emphasize science and technology, while another may offer expanded instruction in music, chess, visual arts, language, or the humanities.
Parents should attend open houses, explore school websites, and ask specific questions about what gifted programming looks like from day to day.
Questions to Ask When Comparing G&T Programs
A G&T offer is only valuable when the program is a good fit for the individual child. Parents may want to ask:
- How is instruction accelerated or enriched?
- Do students regularly work above grade level?
- How does the school support children who are advanced in one subject but on grade level in another?
- How much homework is assigned?
- What enrichment classes are offered?
- Are G&T students taught separately throughout the day?
- How does the school support social-emotional development?
- What services are available for students with disabilities?
- How does the school communicate with families?
- Does the school continue through fifth grade?
- What transportation options are available?
A child’s commute, temperament, interests, and learning style should be considered alongside the school’s academic reputation.
Students With Disabilities and English Language Learners
Students with disabilities and students learning English may participate in the G&T admissions process.
A disability does not prevent a child from being considered for gifted programming. Students who receive special education services may continue to receive the services and accommodations required by their Individualized Education Program.
Teachers and early childhood professionals are also asked to consider the many verbal and nonverbal ways children demonstrate curiosity, problem solving, creativity and advanced learning potential.
Gifted Eligibility Does Not Guarantee an Offer
One of the most important things parents should understand is the difference between eligibility and admission.
Being found eligible means a child may apply to and be considered for G&T programs. It does not mean the child will automatically receive a seat.
Offers depend on the number of available seats, the programs a family ranks, admissions priorities, and the number of eligible applicants seeking those seats.
Families may also be placed on waitlists for programs that cannot initially offer a seat. Waitlist movement depends on whether other families decline their offers or seats otherwise become available.
Preparing a Child for Advanced Learning
Because the former citywide G&T test is no longer part of the admissions process, families should not prepare as though their child will be taking the old OLSAT-NNAT combination.
However, the underlying abilities once evaluated by cognitive tests remain valuable for school success and advanced learning.
Parents can help children develop:
- Verbal reasoning
- Nonverbal reasoning
- Quantitative thinking
- Pattern recognition
- Classification
- Listening comprehension
- Vocabulary
- Early reading and mathematics
- Working memory
- Flexible thinking
- Persistence
- Attention and focus
- Creativity
- Independent problem solving
For younger children, these skills can be developed naturally through reading, puzzles, building activities, conversations, sorting games, pattern activities, imaginative play, and age-appropriate academic enrichment.
The goal should be to strengthen a child’s readiness and confidence rather than rehearse responses for a teacher nomination or interview.
How TestingMom Can Help
TestingMom offers learning resources for families seeking gifted enrichment, academic support, and advanced reasoning practice.
Children can work on skills such as:
- Verbal, quantitative and nonverbal reasoning
- Reading and mathematics
- Logic and pattern recognition
- Classification and analogies
- Listening and following directions
- Kindergarten readiness
- Problem solving
- Working memory
- Focus and test stamina
TestingMom also offers personalized tutoring for children preparing for gifted programs, private school admissions, achievement testing, or academic enrichment.
Although NYC no longer uses the former citywide OLSAT and NNAT admissions process, reasoning and problem-solving practice can still help children build skills that support long-term academic success.
Stay Informed About NYC G&T Admissions
NYC Gifted & Talented procedures, dates, and admissions priorities can change from year to year.
Families should use MySchools and the official NYC Public Schools Gifted & Talented page to confirm:
- Current application dates
- Grade-level eligibility
- Required documentation
- Available programs
- Admissions priorities
- Offer dates
- Waitlist procedures
- Appeal deadlines
Older articles about testing dates, qualifying percentile scores, or OLSAT and NNAT admissions should be treated as historical background unless NYC Public Schools officially announces another change.
Understanding both the program’s history and its current admissions process can help families make informed choices without relying on outdated requirements.
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17 Responses
i’ve heard citywide g&t requires 99th percentile. What does that equate to in number of questions they can get wrong? Also, within 99th percentile, does the DOE differentiate with kids who got 1 question wrong vs 3 questions wrong? Thx
We are in Chicago , does the gifted program is for Chicago CPS as well ? Thanks
when will the 2020 G&T placement offer letters go out?
Hi,
My daughter is currently in a G & T program in Grade 3.
Does she have to take another G & T test in grade 5 for entrance into a G & T middle school program?
Thanks
is this gifted program only for NYC? or is this applicable for NJ state?
Hi I was wondering will it be the same if I practice on the 4th grade,because I am in 5th grade
I haven’t had much experience I just thought it would it would be cool to be in GT so I trying to practice a test before I take the real one so that I know I will pass it. Please try to help me out so I can be in the Gifted In Talented Class
How can i view the schools that utilize the G&T program specifically in the Bronx?
My son is currently in 1st grade and i want to buy some of the prep workbooks you sell online. Since I am new to the city and know nothing about G&T tests, should I buy level 7 or level 8 workbooks? Thank you in advance!
What tips do you have for the mother of a 1y/o to help find the best school for our child and then increase her chances for admission? Starting early!
Thanks!
What does applicant per seat mean?
There is G&T program for 4th and 5th? How does it work? Can 3rd grader apply for 4th grade G&T? How many schools have 4th and 5th program?
Thank you!!!