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NNAT Scores: Understand Test Results
The NNAT and NNAT3 tests are scored based on your child’s age (not grade level, even though that’s how these tests are typically administered).
Steps Used to Calculate the NNAT Score:
- Raw Score. This is total number of questions answered correctly; since 48 questions are asked on the NNAT3, a 25/48 indicates your child correctly answered 25 questions.
- Naglieri Ability Index (NAI). After the Raw Score is determined, it’s converted to a normalized standard score known as the Naglieri Ability Index (NAI) by comparing your child’s results against scores earned by other students born within a three-month age range. The highest possible NAI score is 160 and an average score is 100; however, NAI scores are normalized so that 68% of general education students score within the 84-116 range.
- Percentile Rank (PR). School districts use this number to compare each student’s individual test performance against a nationwide sampling of students born within the same three-month age range. A percentile rank of 80 means that child’s score was higher than 80% of students tested nationwide, and the PR ranges from 1-99.
Since each district uses a different set of criteria to determine eligibility for admission into their gifted and talented programs, there is no standard NNAT or NNAT3 score required to qualify; instead, we recommend contacting your child’s school for more information. Detailed score reports should arrive in the mail approximately two months after your child’s tested.
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Tell us about your experiences
17 Responses
kat
My son recently scored a 94 on the NNAT. he is going into 4th grade. Our district has a cut off for GATE at 98. Doesn’t this seem unreasonably high?
edlira
My son scaled score on NNAT is 143 and the percentile is 99%. I don’t know how to interpret this scores, he is going in 6th grade. Are this good scores?
elizabeth
Seems like people here are having a hard time understanding this scoring. “Scores are normalized so that 68% of general education students score within the 84-116 range” means that it is assumed to have a normal distribution with a mean of 100 and if 68% fall within 84-116, that means a 16 point standard deviation. This is the same distribution assumed for IQ rankings, though that can be 15 or 16 points per standard deviation. A score of 132 means 2 standard deviations above the mean or at the 97.8 percentile–a score higher than 97.8% of aged peers. A score of 148 is 3 standard deviations above the mean, or at the 99.9th percentile, which is a “1 in a 1,000” situation. The same goes for scores below the mean (100), for by the same standard deviation of 16.
However, it is a very noisy test. First, it is brief, which introduces measurement error. Second, I’ve seen only a handful of questions and answers on two were ambiguous. Often extremely gifted children will “overthink”–think beyond what the test designer had in mind, and get it wrong, or stare for excessive time because the correct answer isn’t there.
oo243027@misdmail.net
I have not taken it yet but I am FREAKING out now that this website has me that there are 48 questions!
TestingMom.com
Thank you for reaching out to us!
The NNAT is a very complex non verbal test. We would love to help you prepare for this test! Could you please call us at 877-609-6203 and we would be happy to go over the resources we have to prepare for the NNAT!
All the best,
Marcus
juan.y.ceci.hernandez@gmail.com
I have a paid account but can’t find the 100 NNAT practice questions. Please advise where I can locate these.
El
My daughter scored 150 on NNAT and 99 percentile. She is going into 3rd grade. She practiced on Testingmom.com for 1 month before the test. Thank you so much for the great materials!
marcren27@msn.com
My daughter just got 150 in NNAT. And didn’t practice before a test, if you can believe it!
tara.mihm@yahoo.com
I was given a scaled score for my daughter’s result…how do I interpret that?
TestingMom.com
Hi Tara,
If the scaled score includes your daughter’s Naglieri Ability Index (NAI) you can use the chart on our NNAT Overview on the Lessons For Parents page.
If it doesn’t include your daughter’s NAI, please reach out to our Parent Success Team. As a paying member, if you email them your daughter’s results, they will be able to assist you with interpreting her score! They can be reached at help@testingmom.com or at 877-609-6203.
All the best,
Marcus
2534485@washoeschools.org
I really liked this. Keep doing more practice tests.
Jennifer
At age 12, my son scored a 155 at the >99% percentile (JAN 2017): he only missed two of the least weighted questions. Saying that: he is the epitome of 2E: in addition to being on the Autistic spectrum, and has significant specific language deficits that have not improved vs. his age-matched peers throughout his life. It is true, when G-d giveth, he also taketh away!
Saying that, he was accepted to 10 of the 16 colleges in which he applied for the Fall of 2023, identifying his disabilities (and gifts!) in the college applications. We chose Stony Brook University because of their exceptional programs in math, geometry, topology and theoretical physics; as well as having an exceptional disabilities services office (without needing him to be part of a “special” program).
TestingMom.com
Thank you for sharing your son’s journey with us. His exceptional NNAT score of 155, placing him in the >99th percentile, truly reflects his gifted abilities in academics. I applaud his resilience and commend you for supporting him through his unique journey of being 2E, straddling both the realms of exceptional intellectual capabilities and the challenges of autism and specific language deficits. Indeed, when extraordinary gifts are bestowed, they often come coupled with equally distinctive challenges.
It’s truly heartening to hear about his college acceptance at 10 out of 16 institutions. This is a testimony not just to his academic prowess, but also his grit, determination, and ability to overcome obstacles. His choice to attend Stony Brook University sounds absolutely perfect, considering their remarkable programs in math, geometry, topology, and theoretical physics – areas in which your son shows pronounced talents.
Additionally, their excellent disability services office aligns perfectly with his needs, allowing him to continue excelling acadically while receiving the necessary support without being restricted to a specialized program.
Your son’s journey is inspiring, and his story serves as a reminder that every child, irrespective of their challenges, can carve their own path to success with the right guidance and support. I wish him the very best in his college journey and future endeavors.
skudratov@gmail.com
I have a question. My daughter is 7 years and 1 month. Will they compare her score to other children that are exactly 7 years and 1 month, or will they round her age to age 7 and compare her score to other children of age 7? Thank you!
TestingMom.com
For the NNAT test, age norms are typically grouped by months to ensure a more accurate comparison. In the case of your daughter who is 7 years and 1 month old, her score would be compared to other children who are also 7 years and 1 month. It won’t simply be rounded down to age 7. This approach provides a more precise understanding of how a child’s performance compares to peers of the same exact age.
skudratov@gmail.com
Thank you! This helped me a lot!
TestingMom.com
Great! If you have any further questions please email us at help@testingmom.com.