Our district has strict cut-offs in terms of the CogAT. They claim that it's similar to an IQ test (but not exactly the same). In order to get into the gifted magnet they have to have a composite score over the 98th percentile PLUS achievement testing scores (math and/or reading) above the 98th percentile. I think I'm one of the only people who requested an alternate test, since DD didn't do well on the CogAT at all. The test that the school psych wanted to give her sounded just as bad, like all it would measure is working memory and processing speed (DD is SLOW, that's why she didn't do well on the CogAT which is timed, at least the version she took). Ultimately I took her for private testing, but then I didn't know if the school district would accept our outside results or not (luckily they did), but they also put "rules" into place for future people requesting this, for instance the IQ testing has to be from a list of approved psychologists. We have IQ testing on DS from a neuropsych who is NOT on the list (we had it done because he had a brain injury), so we are screwed in terms of DS. He is going to have to take the CogAT next year or we are going to have to pay to have outside testing from someone on the list. I guess my point is that they may or may not accept your results...it just depends on if they have strict cut-offs/rules in terms of accepting kids into gifted programming. Check and see if there is a g/t coordinator, or some sort of curriculum specialist who makes these decisions. If you just want to find out info for your own benefit and to use for advocacy, and don't need certain scores that meet eligibility criteria, it doesn't matter as much.
