NNAT Test: Levels, Scores, Format, and Gifted Screening
The Naglieri Nonverbal Ability Test, usually called the NNAT, is a group assessment designed to measure nonverbal general ability through visual and figural problems.
The current publisher edition is NNAT3, the Naglieri Nonverbal Ability Test, Third Edition. Pearson describes it as a nonverbal measure of general ability for students from kindergarten through Grade 12.
For parents:
NNAT reduces spoken and written language demands, but one score should not be treated as a complete measure of intelligence, potential, creativity, or future achievement.
Optional TestPrep-Online preparation:
When your school permits practice, families can review TestPrep-Online NNAT practice packs, TestPrep-Online gifted test resources and TestPrep-Online Family Membership. Confirm the assessment, grade or level, current pack contents, access terms, and school policy before purchasing.
What Is NNAT3?
NNAT3 is published by Pearson Assessments. It uses pictorial directions and multiple-choice visual items to measure nonverbal reasoning.
Pearson states that NNAT3:
- is available for kindergarten through Grade 12;
- includes 48 multiple-choice items in a full assessment;
- can be administered online or on paper;
- includes updated content and normative data;
- provides flexible scoring and reporting options;
- uses several levels matched to student grade ranges.
The exact administration selected by the school should be confirmed before interpreting a score or choosing preparation.
What Does the NNAT Measure?
NNAT focuses on reasoning with visual information rather than verbal knowledge.
Broad task demands may include:
- identifying a missing part of a pattern;
- recognizing a relationship between figures;
- following a visual sequence;
- comparing shapes and transformations;
- mentally combining or rotating parts;
- identifying changes in position, number, shading, or orientation.
The official item types and difficulty depend on the level.
Why Do Schools Use a Nonverbal Test?
A nonverbal assessment can provide useful information when spoken or written language may affect performance on a verbal test.
Pearson explains that NNAT3 uses pictorial directions and requires no spoken or written language in the items. This can make it useful when considering students such as:
- English language learners;
- students with some reading difficulties;
- students from linguistically diverse backgrounds;
- twice-exceptional students;
- students whose verbal performance may not reflect their broader reasoning.
However, nonverbal does not mean culture-free.
Performance can still be influenced by:
- understanding the directions;
- visual attention;
- familiarity with abstract puzzles;
- experience using a computer or answer sheet;
- motivation and engagement;
- testing conditions;
- disability-related access needs.
NNAT should be interpreted with other educational information.
Which NNAT Level Will My Child Take?
NNAT3 uses levels that correspond broadly with grade ranges.
The school selects the correct level. Parents should not rely on a commercial grade chart when the school can provide the exact assignment.
Ask the school to confirm:
- the edition;
- level;
- grade range;
- paper or online format;
- test date;
- approved accommodations;
- how the results will be used.
Pearson’s current NNAT3 materials refer to lower levels A–D and upper levels E–G. The exact grade-to-level assignment should come from the school or publisher materials used for that administration.
How Is NNAT3 Administered?
NNAT3 may be administered:
- online;
- on paper;
- to groups;
- with administrator-led directions;
- once or twice during a school year;
- with approved accommodations.
The school controls the testing schedule, breaks, supervision, and accessibility settings.
Students should follow the administrator’s instructions rather than assumptions based on an online practice platform.
What Types of Visual Reasoning Are Involved?
Families often see broad descriptions such as:
Pattern completion
The student identifies the part that completes a larger visual design.
Reasoning by analogy
The student determines how one figure changes into another and applies the same relationship to a new figure.
Serial reasoning
The student identifies how figures change across a sequence or matrix.
Spatial visualization
The student mentally combines, rotates, or transforms visual parts.
These labels can help parents understand the general reasoning demands. They should not be used to reconstruct secure items or assume that every level contains the same mix.
How Are NNAT Scores Reported?
A NNAT3 report may include:
- raw score;
- Nonverbal Ability Index;
- percentile rank;
- stanine;
- confidence interval or standard error information;
- local screening categories.
The report format depends on the school and scoring service.
What Is the Nonverbal Ability Index?
The Nonverbal Ability Index, often abbreviated as NAI, is a standard score used to describe performance on the NNAT scale relative to an appropriate norm group.
It is not:
- a percentage correct;
- a classroom grade;
- a complete IQ diagnosis;
- a percentile;
- a universal gifted cutoff.
Parents should ask which norms, level, and testing period apply to the score.
What Is an NNAT Percentile?
A percentile rank compares the student’s performance with the relevant comparison group.
A percentile of 95 generally means that the student scored as well as or better than approximately 95% of students in that group.
It does not mean that the student answered 95% of the questions correctly.
A percentile near a local threshold should be interpreted carefully because scores contain measurement uncertainty and school criteria may include other evidence.
What Is a Good NNAT Score?
There is no universal NNAT score that is good for every child or school system.
Interpretation depends on:
- the student’s grade and level;
- the norms used;
- local screening criteria;
- confidence or measurement error;
- whether another assessment follows;
- other evidence considered by the school.
A high NAI or percentile does not automatically guarantee gifted placement. A lower result does not prove that a child lacks advanced ability.
Can NNAT Identify Gifted Students?
NNAT3 is designed to aid in the identification of talent or giftedness, but it should not be treated as the only possible measure.
A school may also consider:
- achievement scores;
- teacher observations;
- classroom work;
- rating scales;
- verbal or quantitative reasoning measures;
- individual cognitive assessment;
- language background;
- disability and twice-exceptionality information;
- local programme requirements.
Ask whether NNAT is a universal screener, a referral measure, or the final stage.
NNAT and OLSAT: What Is the Difference?
| NNAT | OLSAT |
|---|---|
| Focuses on nonverbal general ability | Includes verbal, nonverbal, and quantitative content |
| Uses pictorial directions and visual items | Includes language, directions, memory, classification, and reasoning tasks |
| Reduces language demands | Verbal ability can play a substantial role |
| Common score includes the NAI | Common score includes the School Ability Index |
A school may use one test, the other, or several measures. Preparation for one should not be assumed to match the other.
Read our OLSAT guide and Gifted Tests Comparison for more context.
Can NNAT Be Fairer for Multilingual Students?
The reduced language demand can help prevent vocabulary and reading from dominating the result.
However, fairness depends on more than the language used in the items. Schools should also consider:
- access to instructions;
- accommodations;
- familiarity with testing technology;
- disability-related needs;
- opportunity to learn;
- whether several measures are used;
- how cut scores are applied.
A nonverbal score should be interpreted as one source of evidence rather than proof that all bias has been removed.
Should My Child Prepare for NNAT?
When the school permits practice, families can review TestPrep-Online NNAT practice packs or compare options with TestPrep-Online gifted test resources. Confirm the grade or level, current pack contents, access terms, and school policy before purchasing.
Check the school’s policy before using test-specific material.
Where familiarisation is permitted, useful support may include:
- learning how to select and submit an answer;
- discussing general visual patterns;
- completing age-appropriate puzzles;
- practising rotation, classification, or sequencing through ordinary activities;
- reviewing reasoning calmly;
- using short sessions.
Avoid:
- copied official questions;
- recalled secure items;
- promises of a gifted placement;
- excessive daily drilling;
- treating the test as a judgement of intelligence.
NNAT preparation when permitted:
Families can review current TestPrep-Online NNAT practice packs. Confirm the school’s policy, NNAT edition, level, grade coverage, access period, and current product contents before purchasing.
Questions to Ask the School
- Is the assessment NNAT3?
- Which level will my child take?
- Is it online or on paper?
- How many sessions are planned?
- Which accommodations are available?
- Will the report include NAI, percentile, and stanine?
- Which norm group will be used?
- Is NNAT the first stage or the final decision measure?
- What local criterion leads to further review?
- Are achievement or teacher measures also considered?
- Is preparation permitted?
Gifted screening guides
Start with Gifted Children Tests and Gifted Tests Comparison. Review the parent guide, score explanations and tests by grade. Schools may also use achievement benchmarks such as MAP Growth or Renaissance Star. Optional practice: TestPrep-Online gifted test resources, TestPrep-Online Family Membership and TestPrep-Online CogAT practice packs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does NNAT stand for?
NNAT stands for Naglieri Nonverbal Ability Test.
What is the current edition?
Pearson currently lists the Naglieri Nonverbal Ability Test, Third Edition, or NNAT3.
Which grades can take NNAT3?
Pearson describes NNAT3 as a measure for students from kindergarten through Grade 12.
Is NNAT an IQ test?
NNAT is a group nonverbal ability assessment. It is not the same as a comprehensive individual clinical intelligence evaluation.
Does NNAT use words?
The assessment is designed with pictorial directions and minimal spoken or written language demands, although students still need to understand the administrator’s instructions and testing process.
Does a high NNAT score guarantee gifted placement?
No. Local criteria differ, and many schools consider several sources of evidence.
Can practice produce an official NAI?
No. Only an official NNAT administration scored under Pearson’s procedures can produce an official score.