Stay Tuned for Your Testing Details. A comprehensive logistics email will be sent to all families the week of your scheduled assessment. This message will include your specific check-in location on the GMU Fairfax Campus, details on parking, and any required forms. Please keep an eye on your inbox as your testing date approaches. The following is a general guide of what to expect.
Test Day Schedule
Location: GMU Fairfax Campus. Specific building and room details will be emailed to you the week of testing.
| Time | Event |
|---|---|
| 8:30am-9:00am | Check-in: Please arrive at your designated location. Ensure all forms are ready and payment has been submitted online prior to arrival. |
| 9:00am | NNAT-3 Testing begins. |
| 9:30am-9:45am | CogAT-Only Check-in: For students taking only the CogAT. |
| 9:45am-10:00am | Intermission: Students who completed the NNAT-3 will have a short break with their parents. |
| 10:00am | CogAT Testing Begins. |
| 10:00am-1:00pm | Testing Window: Includes two 10-minute breaks with parents and brief stretch breaks in the classroom. Note: Groups may finish at slightly different times. |
What to Bring
To ensure a smooth morning, please come prepared with the following:
- Parking Pass: Use the link provided in your confirmation email to print or activate your parking tag a few days before testing.
- Documentation: If applicable and you have not already, please bring proof of eligibility for the Free/Reduced Lunch or Medicaid program to receive a fee waiver.
- Snacks & Water: A mid-morning snack and a drink for your child to enjoy during breaks.
- For Parents: We recommend bringing a book or laptop, as the testing window lasts several hours.
- What NOT to Bring: We supply all pencils and testing materials. Please leave personal school supplies at home.
How to Prepare
We believe children perform best when they feel relaxed and supported. Because these are cognitive assessments designed to measure novel problem-solving skills, formal preparation or "test prep" is strongly discouraged. Preparation can distort a child’s true cognitive profile and may hinder a valid assessment.
Helpful Tips for Parents:
- Rest and Nutrition: Ensure your child gets a full night’s sleep and follows their normal morning routine, including a healthy breakfast.
- Setting the Tone: Avoid placing pressure on the results. You might say:
"You’re going to solve some different kinds of puzzles today. Some will be easy and some will be hard, but they help us understand how you learn best. Just do your best and have fun with it!" - What to Expect: Let your child know the tests are multiple-choice and taken in a small classroom setting with a paper and pencil. Remind them that the proctors are there to help, and that they will have practice examples to ensure they understand exactly what to do.