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Testing timeline

Map your child's gifted testing year.

Choose a verified district and grade to see its official-source dates as one sequence, in date order: referrals, testing, decisions, placement, and appeals.

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District and grade

The card changes as soon as you choose. To compare every district’s testing grades and windows at once, see when schools test.

VA / FCPS

Fairfax County Public Schools: Grade 2 path

Open guide

The district names this grade in its testing information. Use the dates below to watch the current screening, referral, decision, and appeal sequence.

About these dates

Note

2026–27 cycle. Testing, referral, decision and appeal dates were rechecked against the FCPS identification page on October 14, 2026. FCPS says all dates are pending School Board approval.

Source: www.fcps.edu ↗

This cycle, in date order

Aug 24, 2026 · Referral or deadline

Aug 24 – Dec 15, 2026 — no exceptions to the deadline

Full-Time AAP referral window (spring cycle)

Source: www.fcps.edu ↗

Sept 30, 2026 · Referral or deadline

One-time NGAT retake requests due Sept 30, 2026 (one retake per student)

NGAT testing windows

Source: www.fcps.edu ↗

Oct 2026 · Testing

October 2026 (all Grade 2, plus grades 3-7 with no score who are not centrally eligible, plus select approved retakes)

NGAT testing windows

Source: www.fcps.edu ↗

Oct 15, 2026 · Referral or deadline

Referral due Oct 15, 2026

Full-Time AAP, fall cycle (students new to FCPS)

Source: www.fcps.edu ↗

Nov 20, 2026 · Private or homeschool

Private and homeschool students, fall screening: file postmarked by November 20, 2026, with the $100 fee (both FCPS pages give this date)

Private and homeschool students, fall

Source: www.fcps.edu ↗

Dec 2026 · Decision or placement

Central Screening Committee meets Dec 2026

Full-Time AAP, fall cycle (students new to FCPS)

Source: www.fcps.edu ↗

Dec 2026 · Decision or placement

Decisions sent Dec 2026

Full-Time AAP, fall cycle (students new to FCPS)

Source: www.fcps.edu ↗

Early Dec 2026 · Decision or placement

Grade-2 universal-screener candidates announced early Dec 2026

Full-Time AAP, main spring cycle

Source: www.fcps.edu ↗

Dec 15, 2026 · Referral or deadline

Referral/optional-materials deadline Dec 15, 2026

Full-Time AAP, main spring cycle

Source: www.fcps.edu ↗

Jan 27, 2027 · Private or homeschool

Private and homeschool students, spring screening: file postmarked by January 27, 2027, with the $100 fee (both FCPS pages give this date)

Private and homeschool students, spring

Source: www.fcps.edu ↗

Feb 2, 2027 · Decision or placement

Eligible students may start Full-Time AAP Feb 2, 2027

Full-Time AAP, fall cycle (students new to FCPS)

Source: www.fcps.edu ↗

Mar 2027 · Decision or placement

Central Screening Committee meets March 2027

Full-Time AAP, main spring cycle

Source: www.fcps.edu ↗

Mar 2027 · Testing

March 2027 (certain grades 2-7 students in central screening who have no score; no parent-elected retakes in this window)

NGAT testing windows

Source: www.fcps.edu ↗

Early Apr 2027 · Decision or placement

Decisions sent early April 2027

Full-Time AAP, main spring cycle

Source: www.fcps.edu ↗

Apr 12, 2027 · Decision or placement

Orientations April 12–May 5, 2027

Full-Time AAP, main spring cycle

Source: www.fcps.edu ↗

Fall 2027 · Decision or placement

Eligible students begin Full-Time AAP fall 2027

Full-Time AAP, main spring cycle

Source: www.fcps.edu ↗

Standing rules and yearly deadlines (no year given)

Decision or placement

Local school notifies family within ~30 school days

Part-Time and subject-specific services

Source: www.fcps.edu ↗

Referral or deadline

Referral possible any time outside the window

Part-Time and subject-specific services

Source: www.fcps.edu ↗

Services

Full-Time eligibility, once granted, is retained through 8th grade

Once a child is eligible

Source: www.fcps.edu ↗

Services

Transfer/Reactivation form for deferred students due May 15 for the following school year

Once a child is eligible

Source: www.fcps.edu ↗

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Every district

Every district's dates at a glance

VA / FCPS

Fairfax County Public Schools

Tests: NGAT, Paper CogAT accommodation, WISC-V accommodation, External scores accepted

Source: www.fcps.edu ↗

About these dates

Note

2026–27 cycle. Testing, referral, decision and appeal dates were rechecked against the FCPS identification page on October 14, 2026. FCPS says all dates are pending School Board approval.

Source: www.fcps.edu ↗

This cycle, in date order

Aug 24, 2026 · Referral or deadline

Aug 24 – Dec 15, 2026 — no exceptions to the deadline

Full-Time AAP referral window (spring cycle)

Source: www.fcps.edu ↗

Sept 30, 2026 · Referral or deadline

One-time NGAT retake requests due Sept 30, 2026 (one retake per student)

NGAT testing windows

Source: www.fcps.edu ↗

Oct 2026 · Testing

October 2026 (all Grade 2, plus grades 3-7 with no score who are not centrally eligible, plus select approved retakes)

NGAT testing windows

Source: www.fcps.edu ↗

Oct 15, 2026 · Referral or deadline

Referral due Oct 15, 2026

Full-Time AAP, fall cycle (students new to FCPS)

Source: www.fcps.edu ↗

Nov 20, 2026 · Private or homeschool

Private and homeschool students, fall screening: file postmarked by November 20, 2026, with the $100 fee (both FCPS pages give this date)

Private and homeschool students, fall

Source: www.fcps.edu ↗

Dec 2026 · Decision or placement

Central Screening Committee meets Dec 2026

Full-Time AAP, fall cycle (students new to FCPS)

Source: www.fcps.edu ↗

Dec 2026 · Decision or placement

Decisions sent Dec 2026

Full-Time AAP, fall cycle (students new to FCPS)

Source: www.fcps.edu ↗

Early Dec 2026 · Decision or placement

Grade-2 universal-screener candidates announced early Dec 2026

Full-Time AAP, main spring cycle

Source: www.fcps.edu ↗

Dec 15, 2026 · Referral or deadline

Referral/optional-materials deadline Dec 15, 2026

Full-Time AAP, main spring cycle

Source: www.fcps.edu ↗

Jan 27, 2027 · Private or homeschool

Private and homeschool students, spring screening: file postmarked by January 27, 2027, with the $100 fee (both FCPS pages give this date)

Private and homeschool students, spring

Source: www.fcps.edu ↗

Feb 2, 2027 · Decision or placement

Eligible students may start Full-Time AAP Feb 2, 2027

Full-Time AAP, fall cycle (students new to FCPS)

Source: www.fcps.edu ↗

Mar 2027 · Decision or placement

Central Screening Committee meets March 2027

Full-Time AAP, main spring cycle

Source: www.fcps.edu ↗

Mar 2027 · Testing

March 2027 (certain grades 2-7 students in central screening who have no score; no parent-elected retakes in this window)

NGAT testing windows

Source: www.fcps.edu ↗

Early Apr 2027 · Decision or placement

Decisions sent early April 2027

Full-Time AAP, main spring cycle

Source: www.fcps.edu ↗

Apr 12, 2027 · Decision or placement

Orientations April 12–May 5, 2027

Full-Time AAP, main spring cycle

Source: www.fcps.edu ↗

Fall 2027 · Decision or placement

Eligible students begin Full-Time AAP fall 2027

Full-Time AAP, main spring cycle

Source: www.fcps.edu ↗

Standing rules and yearly deadlines (no year given)

Decision or placement

Local school notifies family within ~30 school days

Part-Time and subject-specific services

Source: www.fcps.edu ↗

Referral or deadline

Referral possible any time outside the window

Part-Time and subject-specific services

Source: www.fcps.edu ↗

Services

Full-Time eligibility, once granted, is retained through 8th grade

Once a child is eligible

Source: www.fcps.edu ↗

Services

Transfer/Reactivation form for deferred students due May 15 for the following school year

Once a child is eligible

Source: www.fcps.edu ↗

Open district guide
VA / LCPS

Loudoun County Public Schools

Tests: CogAT, NGAT, MAP

Source: www.lcps.org ↗

About these dates

Note

Testing dates were checked against LCPS's 2026-27 elementary assessment table and its gifted page on October 14, 2026. The appeal dates below are from 2025-26; LCPS says appeals reopen after the fall evaluation cycle.

Source: www.lcps.org ↗

This cycle, in date order

Aug 17, 2026 · Referral or deadline

Fall 2026 gifted evaluation cycle for grades 4-8 opened Aug 17, 2026

Fall 2026 evaluation, Grades 4–8

Source: www.lcps.org ↗

Sept 25, 2026 · Referral or deadline

Permission to Evaluate forms were due Sept 25, 2026 (late forms not accepted; students not evaluated in the spring 2026 cycle are eligible)

Fall 2026 evaluation, Grades 4–8

Source: www.lcps.org ↗

Oct 13, 2026 · Testing

CogAT for students without scores: grades 3-5 Oct 13 - Nov 20, 2026 (fall)

CogAT Grades 3–8

Source: www.lcps.org ↗

Late Oct 2026 · Testing

NGAT pilot for Grade 2 (first year): date to be announced (LCPS's table says possibly late October or early November 2026)

NGAT Grade 2 pilot

Source: www.lcps.org ↗

Jan 2027 · Referral or deadline

Next evaluation cycle: January 2027, for families who missed the Permission to Evaluate deadline above

Next evaluation cycle

Source: www.lcps.org ↗

Standing rules and yearly deadlines (no year given)

Decision or placement

Score reports are posted to ParentVUE after the window closes

CogAT, Grade 2

Source: www.lcps.org ↗

Decision or placement

Eligibility results emailed to parents of eligible students in early June (per available example-year school communications)

Grade 3 universal evaluation

Source: www.lcps.org ↗

Last cycle's dates, for reference

May 29, 2026 · Appeal

Middle school appeal (current 6th-7th graders): form opens May 29, 2026 4:00pm, due June 12, 2026

Appeals (2025–26 dates)

Source: www.lcps.org ↗

June 8, 2026 · Appeal

Elementary appeal (current 3rd-5th graders): electronic form due June 8, 2026

Appeals (2025–26 dates)

Source: www.lcps.org ↗

Open district guide
VA / APS

Arlington Public Schools

Tests: NNAT, CogAT

Source: www.apsva.us ↗

About these dates

Note

Checked against the official APS eligibility page on October 13, 2026: the April 1 referral deadline and the two appeal levels (10 instructional days each) are unchanged. APS does not publish dated screening windows.

Source: www.apsva.us ↗

Standing rules and yearly deadlines (no year given)

Testing

Benchmark-based, at multiple elementary/middle grades (NNAT grade 1, CogAT grade 2 per school pages)

Universal screening

Source: www.apsva.us ↗

Referral or deadline

April 1 annually (moves to the first day back from spring break if April 1 falls during the break)

Referral deadline

Source: www.apsva.us ↗

Testing

Typically winter/spring of the school year (fall for students new to APS)

Screening data gathering

Source: www.apsva.us ↗

Appeal

Written appeal to the school Principal within 10 instructional days of the decision

Appeal, level one

Source: www.apsva.us ↗

Appeal

Principal + Advanced Academics Coach meet with the family within 10 instructional days of receiving it

Appeal, level one

Source: www.apsva.us ↗

Appeal

Written appeal to the Syphax Education Center, Office of Academics, Director of Advanced Academics and Talent Development, within 10 instructional days of the Level One meeting

Appeal, level two

Source: www.apsva.us ↗

Open district guide
MD / MCPS

Montgomery County Public Schools

Tests: CogAT, MAP

Source: www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org ↗

About these dates

Note

CogAT dates were checked against the official MCPS pages on October 14, 2026. MCPS had not yet posted dates for the next CES cycle (for students now in Grade 3); the CES dates below are from MCPS's 2025-2026 timeline, which placed students in fall 2026.

Source: www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org ↗

This cycle, in date order

Last cycle's dates, for reference

Open district guide
VA / ACPS

Alexandria City Public Schools

Tests: CogAT, NNAT, MAP, Rating scale

Source: www.acps.k12.va.us ↗

About these dates

Note

Referral and notification dates were rechecked against the official ACPS AAS page on October 14, 2026; the appeal deadline was checked on October 13, 2026.

Source: www.acps.k12.va.us ↗

This cycle, in date order

Sept 1, 2026 · Referral or deadline

September 1 – November 20, 2026, for both Tier II GIA (Grades K-3) and Tier III SAA (Grades 3-8) referrals

Referral window, 2026–27

Source: www.acps.k12.va.us ↗

Standing rules and yearly deadlines (no year given)

Referral or deadline

Referral from the first day of enrollment, due within 30 days of enrollment

New students, Grades 4–8

Source: www.acps.k12.va.us ↗

Decision or placement

Notification within 90 days of ACPS receiving the Permission to Screen form

New students, Grades 4–8

Source: www.acps.k12.va.us ↗

Open district guide
VA / FCCPS

Falls Church City Public Schools

Tests: NNAT, CogAT, SOL, Rating scale, External scores accepted

Source: www.fccps.org ↗

About these dates

Note

Checked against the official FCCPS Advanced Academics page on October 13, 2026. FCCPS publishes standing rules rather than dated windows: all Grade 2 students are screened automatically for Level Two services that start in Grade 3, and families can refer within one year of a previous screening.

Source: www.fccps.org ↗

Standing rules and yearly deadlines (no year given)

Referral or deadline

Referrals for Level Two/Three can be submitted by families within one year of any previous screening (rolling, not a single window)

Referral rules

Source: www.fccps.org ↗

Appeal

Appeals must be filed within 10 working days of the placement-decision notification letter or they will not be considered

Appeal of a selection decision

Source: www.fccps.org ↗

Decision or placement

Identification for the initial Advanced Academics cohort historically occurs in June of second grade (consistent with the automatic Grade 2 CogAT → Grade 3 pipeline)

First cohort

Source: www.fccps.org ↗

Open district guide
MD / HCPSS

Howard County Public School System

Tests: CogAT, MAP

Source: www.hcpss.org ↗

About these dates

This cycle, in date order

Nov 30, 2026 · Testing

November 30 – December 18, 2026 (online, districtwide)

CogAT, Grade 3, 2026–27

Source: www.hcpss.org ↗

Standing rules and yearly deadlines (no year given)

Appeal

No specific eligibility-decision date or appeal-deadline window is published on the official pages reviewed

Decisions and appeals

Source: www.hcpss.org ↗

Open district guide
VA / PWCS

Prince William County Public Schools

Tests: NNAT, CogAT

Source: www.pwcs.edu ↗

About these dates

Note

Testing dates were checked against the official PWCS 2026-27 division testing calendar on October 16, 2026.

Source: www.pwcs.edu ↗

This cycle, in date order

Sept 8, 2026 · Testing

CogAT gifted screening for referred students, Grades 4-12: Sept 8 – 25 and Oct 19 – Nov 20, 2026

CogAT referred fall 2026

Source: www.pwcs.edu ↗

Oct 19, 2026 · Testing

CogAT Online for Grade 3 (universal screening): Oct 19 – Nov 20, 2026, on the division testing calendar

CogAT Grade 3 window, 2026–27

Source: www.pwcs.edu ↗

Oct 20, 2026 · Testing

NNAT3 Online for Grades 2, 6 and 9: Oct 20 – Nov 20, 2026, on the division testing calendar

Nnat3 window, 2026–27

Source: www.pwcs.edu ↗

Jan 5, 2027 · Testing

CogAT gifted screening for referred students, Grades 3-12: Jan 5 – 22, Mar 1 – 19 and Apr 5 – 20, 2027

CogAT referred spring 2027

Source: www.pwcs.edu ↗

Standing rules and yearly deadlines (no year given)

Referral or deadline

No fixed annual window — referrals may be submitted at any grade K-12, any time during the school year

Referral window

Source: www.pwcs.edu ↗

Decision or placement

Identification and Placement (IDP) Committee meets and decides within 90 school days of the date written parental permission for evaluation is received

Identification decision

Source: www.pwcs.edu ↗

Appeal

10 instructional days from the date the family is notified of the IDP Committee's decision

Appeals window

Source: www.pwcs.edu ↗

Open district guide
TX / CFBISD

Carrollton-Farmers Branch Independent School District

Tests: NGAT, MAP

Source: www.cfbisd.edu ↗

About these dates

Note

2026–27 dates from CFBISD's GT Assessment Calendar 26-27, the district calendar linked from its GT Assessment Calendar page. Checked October 15, 2026.

Source: docs.google.com ↗

This cycle, in date order

Aug 11, 2026 · Referral or deadline

Fall referral window for grades 1–4: August 11 – September 25, 2026 (closes at 4:00 pm)

Fall referral window, Grades 1–4

Source: docs.google.com ↗

Sept 1, 2026 · Testing

District GT screening for grades 6–12: September 1 – December 18, 2026

District screening, Grades 6–12

Source: docs.google.com ↗

Nov 4, 2026 · Testing

NGAT universal screening window for kindergarten and grade 5 non-LEAP students: November 4–13, 2026

NGAT universal screening, kindergarten and Grade 5

Source: docs.google.com ↗

Apr 1, 2027 · Referral or deadline

Spring referral window for grades K–5: April 1 – May 21, 2027 (closes at 4:00 pm), with screening the following fall semester

Spring referral window, kindergarten to Grade 5

Source: docs.google.com ↗

Apr 1, 2027 · Referral or deadline

Spring referral window for grades 6–11: April 1 – May 21, 2027 (closes at 4:00 pm)

Grades 6–11, spring referral and summer testing

Source: docs.google.com ↗

May 27, 2027 · Testing

Summer testing options for grades 6–11: May 27 and July 22, 2027

Grades 6–11, spring referral and summer testing

Source: docs.google.com ↗

Open district guide
OR / BSD

Beaverton School District

Tests: NGAT, Earlier CogAT scores

Source: www.beaverton.k12.or.us ↗

About these dates

Standing rules and yearly deadlines (no year given)

Testing

BSD's target is to have all NGAT testing done in October, though the district says some usually finishes in November, and your child's school has the exact date

NGAT testing in class, Grades 3–5

Source: www.beaverton.k12.or.us ↗

Decision or placement

Families of students found eligible for Summa are notified no later than the last day before Winter Break, and tell the district in January of grade 5 whether their child will take part

Summa eligibility notice and reply

Source: www.beaverton.k12.or.us ↗

Open district guide
WA / Tahoma

Tahoma School District

Tests: NGAT

Source: www.tahomasd.us ↗

About these dates

Note

2026–27 dates from Tahoma's Highly Capable page, checked October 15, 2026. For your child's screening day, ask the school or the Highly Capable office.

Source: www.tahomasd.us ↗

This cycle, in date order

Nov 1, 2026 · Referral or deadline

Parent referrals for grades K–7: November 1 – December 31, 2026, and the district will share the referral form through ParentSquare when the window opens

Parent referral window, kindergarten to Grade 7

Source: www.tahomasd.us ↗

Standing rules and yearly deadlines (no year given)

Private or homeschool

Second- and fifth-grade students who attend private schools or home-based programs and live within the district's boundaries are invited to the screening; families contact highlycapable@tahomasd.us in the fall of that grade.

Private and homeschool students

Source: www.tahomasd.us ↗

Appeal

Appeal a selection decision within 10 school days of the decision notification, and the appeals team replies in writing within 10 school days of receiving the request

Appeal of a selection decision

Source: www.tahomasd.us ↗

Open district guide
NC / ACS

Asheville City Schools

Tests: NGAT

Source: www.ashevillecityschools.net ↗

About these dates

Note

Asheville City Schools' 2025–2028 AIG plan sets standing windows rather than dated 2026–27 appointments. For this year's screening dates, ask your school's AIG specialist. Checked October 15, 2026.

Source: www.dpi.nc.gov ↗

Standing rules and yearly deadlines (no year given)

Decision or placement

New referrals who need an aptitude test are tested in one of two windows, from the start of the school year until October 1 or from February 1 to March 1, and caregivers must give permission before any testing

Aptitude testing for new referrals

Source: www.dpi.nc.gov ↗

Open district guide
IL / Woodridge 68

Woodridge School District 68

Tests: NGAT, Rating scale

Source: sites.google.com ↗

About these dates

Note

Woodridge 68 names one dated step for the next cycle; its other timing rules repeat each year, and its pages describe the nomination deadline differently. Checked October 15, 2026.

Source: www.woodridge68.org ↗

This cycle, in date order

Early Dec 2026 · Referral or deadline

Nominations for the 2027–28 school year open in early December 2026

Nominations for 2027–28

Source: www.woodridge68.org ↗

Standing rules and yearly deadlines (no year given)

Services

The linked handbook says nominations must be submitted on or before January 31 of each school year for spring evaluation, while the district's main gifted page describes a nomination window that is typically January through February, so confirm the closing date with the Gifted Services Coordinator

Nomination deadline

Source: sites.google.com ↗

Open district guide
NC / ABSS

Alamance-Burlington School System

Tests: NGAT, CogAT

Source: www.dpi.nc.gov ↗

About these dates

Note

ABSS's pages give standing rules rather than dated 2026–27 appointments. For this year's dates, ask your school's AIG teacher. Checked October 15, 2026.

Source: www.abss.k12.nc.us ↗

Standing rules and yearly deadlines (no year given)

Referral or deadline

Parent referrals are due by the last day school is in session before the Thanksgiving holidays, in writing or by email to the school principal

Parent referrals

Source: www.abss.k12.nc.us ↗

Testing

Second graders take the universal screen in the spring, with the online NGAT or a paper/pencil CogAT

Universal screen, Grade 2

Source: www.dpi.nc.gov ↗

Appeal

To challenge an AIG decision, ask in writing for a conference with the school AIG committee within five business days of notification of the committee's recommendation

Appeal, first step

Source: www.dpi.nc.gov ↗

Open district guide