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Fall Abilities Testing

Overview

Students in grades 3–8 who are not already state-identified as gifted can be referred to take the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) this fall. Qualifying scores may lead to state gifted identification.

South Carolina identifies gifted and talented students by their cognitive abilities, academic achievement, and intellectual or academic performance. The CogAT measures the ways a student thinks and solves problems. Results from this screener are combined with other achievement and performance data to decide whether a student meets state gifted criteria. Students who meet the criteria will be served in the district’s Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) program beginning in the 2027–2028 school year.

Beyond possible gifted identification, the assessment gives families useful information for understanding how their student learns.

Referral deadline: October 20, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.

There are no exceptions to this deadline. Testing licenses must be purchased for each student, so referrals submitted after cannot be accepted.

Key dates

  1. –

    Referral window. The referral form is open in PowerSchool Parent Portal and closes at 11:59 p.m. on October 20.

  2. Week of

    Testing at each student’s home school. Your student’s school will share exact dates and times before testing begins.

  3. Families of tested students are notified of results.

  4. Students who meet state criteria begin receiving GATE services.

Who can be referred

Any student in grades 3–8 who:

  • is not already state-identified as academically gifted and talented, and
  • has not taken the CogAT this school year.

Already state-identified? Do not refer your student. The referral form will not appear in Parent Portal for students who are already state-identified.

How to refer your student

Complete the referral form (an eCollect form) in the Forms section of PowerSchool Parent Portal. You can use a web browser or the PowerSchool mobile app.

On the website

  1. Sign in at ddtwo.powerschool.com/public.
  2. Select Forms in the left navigation menu.
  3. Find the fall abilities testing referral form and complete it.

In the PowerSchool mobile app

  1. Make sure the app is version 21.4.5 or later.
  2. Sign in to your parent account.
  3. Tap More in the bottom menu, then tap Forms.
  4. Find the fall abilities testing referral form and complete it.

Visit the Fall Abilities Testing Instructions page for further information.

Need your Parent Portal username or password? Use the Forgot Username or Password? link on the sign-in page, or contact your student’s school.

Learn more about GATE

Find out which data points South Carolina uses to identify academically gifted learners and how these students are served in Dorchester District Two.

Visit the GATE website