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New Hanover County Schools: gifted testing

Dates and requirements change. Always confirm with New Hanover County Schools directly. Last checked: 2026-10-28 · district website

Academically or Intellectually Gifted (AIG)

Grades K-12

Every third grader takes the CogAT as a universal screener. Students at or above the 90th percentile on the grade 3 screening, or in the top ten percent at their school, join the Talent Pool and are considered for AIG by the school's Match Team. In K-3, gifted specialists teach thinking lessons and collect observation data.

TestGradesWhoWhen
CogAT3All students testedNot publishedsource

Published criteria

  • IG pathway: aptitude composite at or above the 90th percentile, or nonverbal at or above the 95th. AG pathway: 90th percentile on a national achievement subtest, 95th on the EOG, or top 10% at the school. AIG needs both. Pathways guide the Match Team but do not guarantee identification. source
  • Talent Pool step: 90th percentile or higher on the grade 3 screening, or top ten percent at the school. source

Appeals / retesting: Follow the plan's steps for disagreements: start with the school, then write to the principal for a written response within ten working days, then the district. NC law then allows a contested case hearing. source

Get ready for New Hanover County Schools's test

Start with a free readiness check. Pick New Hanover County Schools during setup and the report shows how your child's estimate compares with the published cutoff.

Free readiness check

District information is compiled from public sources and may be incomplete, out of date or wrong. GiftedCub is not affiliated with New Hanover County Schools. Confirm testing windows, deadlines, eligibility criteria and cutoffs directly with the district or school before relying on them. GiftedCub is not responsible for missed deadlines or decisions based on this information.

Sources: