NNAT scores play a key role in how schools identify gifted students, but they are not easy to interpret.
Parents see numbers like NAI, percentile, or SAS, but are unsure what each one means. This confusion can make it difficult to know if a score is high, average, or below expectations.
This article will teach you what each score type represents, how scores are calculated, and how schools use them in placement decisions.
You will also see what counts as an average score and what range is considered gifted.
Read on for a clear guide to NNAT scores so you can interpret your child’s results with confidence!
Created by Roman K., Test Prep Expert Since 2016, who has helped thousands of students achieve higher scores. Feel free to email me at roman@giftedready.com. I'm here to help your child succeed!
NNAT scores come from a child’s performance on nonverbal reasoning questions. The test does not measure knowledge from school subjects. It examines how well a child can recognize patterns, shapes, and relationships.
The scoring process uses several steps and converts the raw number of correct answers into different score types. These scores help schools compare students fairly by age and grade.
The raw score is the total number of correct answers on the NNAT. There are no penalties for wrong answers. The raw score is 35 if a child answers 35 out of 48 questions correctly.
This score alone does not show how a child compares with others. It is only the first step in scoring.
The raw score is converted into the Naglieri Ability Index, or NAI. This is a standardized score with an average of 100 and a standard deviation of 15. This conversion makes results consistent across test forms and age groups. A child’s NAI shows how far above or below the average they performed.
Percentile ranks are then added. A percentile tells what percent of students scored lower. The 90th percentile means the child scored higher than 90% of students in the same age group.
Achievement Level | NAI Range | Percentile |
Above average | 117 and above | 76th and above |
Average | 84 – 116 | 25th – 75th |
Below average | 83 and below | 24th and below |
The Standard Age Score, or SAS, adjusts for the child’s exact age at testing. Two children may have the same raw score, but the younger child can receive a higher SAS. This adjustment makes results fair across months of age differences. Schools often look at the SAS to make placement decisions.
The average NNAT score is set at an NAI of 100. Most children score between 85 and 115, which is the typical range for about two-thirds of all test-takers. A score above 115 is above average, while scores above 130 often qualify as gifted, depending on the school’s requirements.
The highest possible NAI score on the NNAT is 160. Very few students reach this level. Scores near the maximum are rare and usually place a child in the top percentiles. Schools may use these high scores to place students into advanced or gifted programs.
Schools use NNAT scores to guide decisions about gifted education. The scores help teachers and administrators identify students who may need advanced instruction or enrichment. How the results are applied can vary by district.
Schools often rely on percentile ranks and NAI scores when deciding on gifted placement. Every district sets its own rules. Still, many use the following score ranges as a guide:
Looking at NAI scores, an index of 130 or above is generally recognized as gifted, while an NAI around 145 or higher reflects highly gifted performance, placing a child in the very top of the population.
Cutoff scores are not the same everywhere. One district may accept students with an NAI of 120, while another may set the bar at 130. Districts choose cutoffs based on how many spots are available and what other criteria they use, such as teacher recommendations or achievement tests.
The NNAT is only used for screening in some schools. Students with higher scores move into a “talent pool” for further review. Final eligibility may depend on more tests, classroom performance, or teacher input.
This two-step process helps schools make fairer decisions.
You should ask how their school district uses NNAT results. Helpful questions include: What cutoff score is used? Is the NNAT the only test, or are other measures considered? How long is the score valid? The answers give parents a clear picture of how the results affect placement.
The NNAT measures nonverbal reasoning, so preparation looks different than studying for a subject-based test. Children benefit most from becoming familiar with the types of questions and building confidence with pattern recognition and problem-solving.
Practice tests give children a clear picture of what NNAT questions look like. They learn to spot patterns, work with shapes, and solve problems under timed conditions. Taking a practice test also reduces test-day stress because the format feels familiar.
Puzzles, pattern blocks, tangrams, and logic games all support the same skills measured on the NNAT. Activities that ask children to rotate shapes or complete sequences encourage flexible thinking. These can be fun family games as well as preparation.
Young children learn best in short bursts. Ten to fifteen minutes of focused practice works better than long study sessions. Praise effort, not just correct answers, so your child stays motivated.
Children need to stay focused because the NNAT is timed. You can help by setting aside quiet time for practice without distractions. Breathing exercises or a short break before testing can also help children concentrate better.
Good sleep, a healthy breakfast, and a relaxed morning make a difference. Remind your child that the NNAT is just one test and that trying their best is what matters most.
Schools usually receive NNAT results within two weeks. Parents may get score reports soon after, depending on the district’s schedule.
NNAT2 and NNAT3 use the same scoring system. Both convert raw scores into the Naglieri Ability Index (NAI), with percentiles and Standard Age Scores added. The main change in NNAT3 is updated norms, which reflect more recent student data.
