Yes, it is all achievement based. However, since my dd has been at the school for 2 years they know my ds and the roller coaster ride that it is being in his life. We may or may not get special consideration.
The tester mentioned that he excelled at the rest of the testing just that she wasn't sure he could read.
Fingers crossed! We find out next week if it made it to the COGAT testing. He would need to score 98% to be accepted.