A universal screener is a way to systematically identify exceptional potential and hidden talent among all populations at a given grade level, including English Language Learners, students with special needs and those who may not be achieving on other traditional academic measures. Using a universal screener is considered a best practice in the field of gifted education.

In Jeffco, we administer the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) to all 2nd graders at all district schools.

Jeffco typically holds wide-scale testing opportunities with the CogAT in the fall.  

It may be possible to arrange additional testing opportunities outside of these windows.  In this case, contact your school’s GT Resource Teacher (GT RT). Your school’s GT RT may also contact you for further testing even after they have gone through the testing opportunities listed above if we need additional information for the body of evidence.

Click here for our GT Identification & Assessments page.

We have a professional and ethical responsibility to ensure the security of all testing protocols. Many assessments are only for sale to educational institutions or licensed psychologists to ensure this security. Because of this, we cannot release actual testing questions or protocols to the public. Practice questions may be available from the publisher for some assessments. In those cases, we provide practice or sample questions to students just prior to administration. We are usually not allowed to release these to the public due to copyright or exam security concerns.