Naglieri FAQs

Naglieri Nonverbal Ability Test (NNAT2)

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1. What does the NNAT2 measure? The Naglieri Nonverbal Ability Test 2 assesses school learning ability without requiring a student to read, write or speak. Instead, students rely on reasoning and problem solving skills to complete the test items.

Many people assume that intelligence is differentiated in two categories:
verbal and nonverbal. The distinction actually refers to the content of the
items on an intelligence test, not to the type of thinking or intelligence
required. Verbal and nonverbal tests are two different ways of measuring
intellectual ability.

Currently in the Beaverton School District, the main purpose for
administering the NNAT2 is to identify students for TAG in the area of
intellectual ability. The NNAT2 results may also be used to screen general
ability for students whose school performance may be hindered by limited
English proficiency. The test is also used as one screening factor for
eligibility for District programs, such as Summa.

2. Why the Naglieri Nonverbal Ability Test (NNAT2)?
The NNAT2 was chosen because it was nonverbal. The District was looking
for a way to identify gifted students who may not perform well on
academic achievement tests or ability tests with a large number of verbal
items, including students with limited English skills or learning difficulties.

3. What types of questions are on the NNAT2?
There are four categories of questions on the NNAT2:

• Pattern completion: requires the student to complete a pattern by determining both general orientation and design details of the missing portion.
• Reasoning by Analogy: requires the students to recognize a logical relationship between several geometric shapes
• Serial Reasoning: requires the student to recognize sequence of shapes and changes in a sequence
• Spatial Visualization: the student must recognize how two or more designs would look when combined
  

The geometric shapes and designs used for each test item are culture-
free.A sample test item from the NNAT2 is shown in the figure below
(actual test items use blue, white and yellow because these colors are
most easily perceived by those with color-impaired vision).

4. Who will take the NNAT2?
Currently, all third and fifth grade students in the Beaverton School
District take the NNAT2 in the fall of each school year. The NNAT2 is
available to students in grades K-12 for intellectual ability testing.

5. How long is the test?
The test has 48 items which must be completed in 30 minutes.

6. How do I interpret the scoring report?
The Individual Student Report lists the student's overall raw score
(number of items correctly answered), as well as an age-based
percentile rank.

Percentile ranks range from 1 to 99, and describe a student's test
performance relative to other students of the same age in the national
normative reference group. A student performing in the 95th
percentile, for example, scored higher than 95% of the students at
his/her age.

Ranks between the 25th and 75th percentile fall within the average
range of normative expectations.

7. If there is a significant discrepancy between a student’s
performance on the NNAT2 and his/her achievement in the classroom,
should I be concerned?
Students may score well on the NNAT2 who do not demonstrate high
levels of achievement in the classroom. The NNAT2 demonstrates that
these students have the ability to succeed in school, though they may
not have acquired the skills required to achieve at that high level.
Alternately, there are students who are very strong in the academic
domain who may score poorly on the NNAT2.

The NNAT2 helps us identify students who may not demonstrate their
ability on more traditional tests of knowledge because of limited
English proficiency, language or learning difficulties, or other factors
that may hinder achievement. It should be kept in mind that the NNAT2
scores give only one piece of information about a student. As with any
assessment, some tests will identify the strengths of students more than
other tests.

8. How does the NNAT2 help my child qualify for Talented and Gifted
(TAG) Services?
A score at or above the 97th percentile on a standardized, nationally-
normed test, with behavioral, learning and/or performance information
would qualify a student for TAG Services. A score at or above the 97th
percentile on the NNAT2 would qualify a student for TAG Services in the
area of intellectual ability. The NNAT2 is one of the tests used by the
District to identify students in the area of intellectual ability. Students
can also qualify for TAG Services in the area of academic
achievement in reading and/or math by taking a test called the Terra
Nova.