The NNAT Test and Gifted and Talented Entry

It’s no exaggeration to say that passing the NNAT test is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for your child. An advanced academic program opens up a world of opportunities that most general education programs simply can’t offer. That’s why more and more parents across the country have been applying their children to Gifted programs that require NNAT passage for admission  – and, as a result, making these programs more competitive with each passing year.

In some places (including New York City), your child is less likely to make it into a Gifted and Talented program than they are to someday be accepted at Harvard.

That’s the definition of “long shot.”

And it’s not getting any easier. In recent years, more and more parents have discovered the benefits that a Gifted and Talented education can provide to their child, and have started preparing for the entrance exam months or even years in advance. A recent article, entitled Fewer Students Eligible for Gifted and Talented Programs, reported that, in 2013, 15 percent of test takers scored in the 97th percentile on the New York City gifted and talented test; in 2014, that number plummeted to just 9 percent. Even worse, while scoring in the 97th percentile is certainly impressive on paper, it doesn’t guarantee your child entry into the Gifted program by any means; in fact, generally children must score in the 99th percentile to even have a shot at making it into the advanced curriculum.

Why am I giving you all these doom and gloom statistics? Simple: I want you to know what you’re up against. No matter how smart your child is, if you think that you can start preparing for the NNAT test a few weeks before the big day, you’re deluding yourself, plain and simple. Make sure you start prepping for the NNAT test well ahead of test day. It just might change your child’s life.

Should My Child Take the NNAT Test?

Should my child take the NNAT test? This is a question many parents themselves in considering educational options for their child. If the NNAT test is a prerequisite for a gifted program, the obvious answer is that every child is different and will do best in a program that suits their unique talents and skills. That said, there are obvious benefits of enrolling a child in a gifted and talented program.

The first benefit is that they will get in-depth instruction in subjects that other kids’ classes may simply gloss over. Kids in gifted programs get to explore subjects that other students may never see, and they’ll emerge with an understanding of concepts that will serve them well in school and in their careers. Additionally, kids in gifted programs will be with other bright, motivated kids, so the teacher’s attention won’t be on propping up kids who don’t understand the material or who are falling behind. Finally, kids in gifted programs will be motivated to do their best, since they’ll be surrounded by kids of above-average intelligence.

The best way to get ready for the NNAT test is to start preparing early. Take a look at some practice questions that are similar to those your child will find on the test and determine the skills that your child will need to develop to excel on the exam. Then, develop a plan and a schedule for practicing. Start with 5 to 10 minutes of practice per day. It’s important that your child doesn’t burn out too early, and building their attention span takes time. Eventually, move up to 15 minutes per day, then 20, then 25, until your child is accustomed to sitting for the amount of time that they’ll be in the NNAT testing room.

Finally, make sure that you use a variety of NNAT practice materials so that your child doesn’t get bored. Use online practice questions, workbooks, interactive games, and whatever else you feel will be helpful for preparing your child! The more sources you use, the more engaged your child will be – and the better their chances for testing success.

Believing in Your NNAT Child

It’s amazing the number of parents who don’t even consider the NNAT test for their child. Often, parents aren’t even aware that a G&T program is an option. These parents almost unthinkingly accept the school that their child is placed into, and never consider that there might be a better alternative – one that will open up all sorts of new opportunities for their child.

These parents I can somewhat understand. But there’s another type of parent that perplexes me even more. These are parents who know about their local G&T program, but don’t take any action to make sure their child gets in. I’m not sure if these parents think their child isn’t “G&T material,” or if they don’t want to face the added homework that an advanced program will bring, or if they just don’t want to deal with the “hassle” of applying their child to a Gifted program.

Finally, there’s the parent who applies their child to take the NNAT but doesn’t prepare them for the test This is an incredibly bad idea; these tests are extremely difficult and becoming more so every year. Even the smartest children need to know what they’re facing long before they walk into the testing room.

A few years ago, a friend of mine I’ll call Michelle fell squarely into the “indifferent” category. She had a bright kindergartener going to public school in a major American city.  Her son’s school had a good reputation, and he was performing well in his classes. One day at lunch, I casually asked her if she planned to apply him for the Gifted and Talented program for the first grade.

“Why bother?” she said, grinning as she munched on her salad. “Jack is doing great, and his school is one of the better public schools in the city. I just don’t see how it’s worth the time and stress of applying him to a whole other school.”

I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. Michelle had always been a go-getter, and I knew that she wanted the best for Jack. I told her she was depriving him of countless opportunities by not applying him to a G&T program. After a half an hour or so, she finally relented and agreed not only to fill out the application, but to do everything in her power to help Jack get ready for the NNAT test.

Just a week into the school year, I got a call from Michelle. When I first picked up the phone, I thought something bad had happened. Her voice sounded strange, almost shell-shocked. When I asked her what was wrong, she said simply, “You’ll never believe what just happened.”

Michelle proceeded to tell me about how Jack had come home from school raving about his teacher and his class. He loved the lessons his teacher prepared, Jack said, and was really looking forward to the following week, when they’d be discussing “human anatomy.” Michelle was shocked to hear her child using such big words, but even more importantly, she just couldn’t believe how much her child was loving school. Throughout kindergarten, Jack earned good grades, but whenever Michelle asked him what he had learned on a certain day or how he liked his teacher, he would give her curt, one-word answers (“Fine.” “Math.”)

This all happened because Michelle took the incredible step of preparing Jack for the NNAT and seeing the Gifted application process through to the end.

 

Healthy Snacks for NNAT Kids

As I’m sure you know, one of the most important things for a kid who’s getting ready to take the NNAT is that they eat right the morning of the test. But it’s also important that your child eat well in the weeks and even months leading up to the test. Just like adults, kids function best when they’re eating healthy, energy-fueling foods and getting plenty of exercise. To that end, keep these foods in mind as your child gets ready to take the NNAT test:

Homemade trail mix: Potato and corn chips are popular snacks, but they’re high in carbs and salt and low in protein. This means your child may get a temporary energy jolt out of their snack, but they’ll be left wanting soon enough. Instead, try making a homemade trail mix out of dried berries, cereal, and chopped nuts. Get the recipe at WebMD.

Tortilla pizzas: What NNAT kid doesn’t love pizza? The problem is that most pizzas are laden in calories and carbs, which can make your child feel sluggish. Instead, try these tortilla pizzas from Parenting.com. Add your favorite toppings and serve with a green salad for a snack that your child will love!

Rocky Road sweet treat: This recipe from eatright.org puts a new twist on an old favorite: rocky road ice cream. Here, a graham cracker, some marshmallows, and low-fat chocolate pudding combine to make a favorite snack just a little bit healthier.

No matter what your NNAT child eats, keep in mind the basics: make sure they get plenty of whole grains, protein, and vitamins; limit the empty carbs and sugars that they eat. The idea is to make sure that your child is satisfied and not always chasing after the next snack, while also making sure that they enjoy what they’re eating and don’t feel like they’re being forced to eat “boring” foods.

Pacing Yourself on the NNAT

Many parents have kids taking the NNAT these days. The truth is, it’s getting harder and harder for kids to make the cut on the NNAT test. It’s important to make sure your child is prepared for the test and knows what to expect long before the actual test day rolls around.

Many parents ask what kind of prep schedule they should follow when getting their kid ready for the test. Lots of parents have the urge to dive right into NNAT prep, working with their kids for half an hour or even longer every day for months on end. While this urge is understandable, even admirable, it won’t do your child any favors. Working for this long right from the get go risks burning your child out and making the whole thing a chore for them. In the process, they’ll shut down and decide that this whole NNAT thing isn’t worth it. Worse yet, they’ll get discouraged and upset, putting them in a weak position heading into the test.

The better plan of action is to start slow. If you think back to gym class in high school, you may remember your teacher telling you to pace yourself. This is the same approach you want to take with prepping for the NNAT. Start out super slow and build up stamina gradually. Start your child with 10 minutes of practice at most, then add 2-3 minutes per day. Eventually, your child will be able to sit still for the equivalent of the length of the test, and it won’t feel like “work.”

If you only have a couple weeks to prepare, you may have to ramp up a bit more quickly, but the point still stands that you shouldn’t jump headlong into half-hour or 45-minute long practice sessions. You’re only doing your child a disservice by having them treat the NNAT as a sprint instead of the marathon that it is.

Stamina and the NNAT Test

The NNAT is a test that requires stamina. Kids not only have to be comfortable sitting through the test, which can last half an hour or more – they also have to be prepared for a grueling few weeks or even months of preparation for the test. Do you remember when you were in college or grad school and had to study for weeks on end for a test that had the potential to decide your future? That’s what many five- and six-year-old kids are now facing on tests like the NNAT.

 

The key here is to make sure your kids know what’s in store for them, and to build up their stamina gradually so that they don’t feel overwhelmed or exhausted either during NNAT prep or on the day of the big test. As soon as you find out that your child might be eligible to take the NNAT test, research the prep materials available to you and get a list of resources put together. It’s a good idea to use a mix of materials so your child doesn’t get burned out on any one type. Take a look at workbooks, online practice questions, games, and interactive activities that will help your child build the skills they need to do well on the NNAT test.

 

Then, put together a practice schedule. Don’t bombard your child with 20 or 30 minutes of practice all at once. Rather, have them do 5 or 10 minutes of NNAT prep, then call it a day. The next day, stretch practice out to 10 or 15 minutes. Keep slowly expanding your prep time until your child is able to sit still for the maximum amount of time that the test may take. This way, your child has not only built up the stamina for the test, but now doing 20 to 30 minutes of NNAT prep every day feels like old hat for them.

 

The NNAT and Soccer Practice

What do the NNAT test and soccer practice have in common? Simple: they both require parental commitment.

The reality is that no matter how talented your child is at soccer (or football, or baseball, or whatever sport they choose to play), they won’t reach their full potential unless you stay involved and push them to never give up. Look to any famous athlete: Venus and Serena Williams, Michael Phelps, Eli Manning – and almost without fail, you’ll find a parent who never stopped pushing their child to succeed.

The same is true with NNAT prep. It’s true that many kids are naturally very bright, or quick learners, or just good test takers. These kids start with an advantage over other kids in their peer group. But simply being bright and quick on your feet isn’t enough to pass a competitive test like the NNAT test. To achieve their full potential, a child has to have an involved parent who keeps them on track even when they get discouraged. As a parent, it’s your responsibility to put together a plan for your child to pass the NNAT test, set up benchmarks for them to meet along the way, and then make sure they stick the course you laid out – no matter how tough things get.

By staying involved in your child’s preparation for the test, you’ll give them an automatic leg-up over other kids, even those who are naturally very smart and driven. Nothing makes the difference like an involved parent who wants to see their child succeed.

So don’t wait another minute to set up a plan for your child to excel on the NNAT test and make it into the gifted program that will give them a shot at a great education. You owe it to your child to stay in the game and push them to achieve their full potential.

Difficulty for NNAT Kids

For some NNAT kids, this is a difficult Labor Day. That’s because these kids are heading into a new school year without the support they desperately need – and as a result they’re going to be in for a world of hurt and disappointment, especially when they go to take the NNAT test.

The sad reality is that too many parents buy their kids new backpacks and colored pencils, put them on the school bus, and leave the rest up to the teacher – and to chance. These parents don’t realize that they, and they alone, have the power to shape their child’s future – and to ensure that they earn a top score on the NNAT test so they can make it into a great school.

I’m not saying these parents aren’t well-intentioned. The vast majority of them think they are doing exactly what they’re supposed to: namely, trusting the school system to educate their child in the best way possible. But the reality is that no school district has that capability. Think about it: even in small classrooms, your child’s teacher is responsible for at least 15 to 20 children – making sure they do their homework, are able to keep up with the curriculum, and behave themselves and play nicely with others. Not to mention making sure they are ready for the NNAT test! These teachers don’t have the time or the resources to see to it that any one child succeeds. Indeed, many of these teachers are stretched so thin that they can’t even recognize a learning disability or behavioral problem until it’s too late.

That’s why, even if you live in a top-notch school district, it’s up to you and you alone to make sure that your child does well on the NNAT and is well set-up for school success.