These days, there's a question that frequently pops up in parent group chats: "I heard the 2nd graders are taking the CogAT this month; should we enroll them in a tutoring center or get workbooks?" I can't count how many times I've heard this from those around me.

So this time, I looked up the official materials from Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS). To cut to the chase, the conclusion is that there's no need to obsess over just one test.

First, let's look at the timing. According to the schedule released by FCPS for the 2026-27 school year, all 2nd graders will take the national standardized ability test in October.

Students from 3rd to 7th grade who do not have recorded scores, as well as those who have applied for a retest, will also take the test during this October window. So, we are right in that period now.

Retests are only allowed once per test for each student. The application deadline was September 30, so the opportunity for retesting this fall has already passed.

So, what exactly is the CogAT? According to Riverside Insights, the test assesses reasoning abilities in three areas: verbal, quantitative, and non-verbal (spatial).

In simple terms, it's not a test that asks about learned knowledge, but rather how students solve problems they've never seen before. Therefore, advancing ahead of the school curriculum does not necessarily lead to higher scores.

The FCPS Advanced Academic Programs (AAP) page also includes an explanation of the universal screener for 2nd graders. It states that based on NNAT and CogAT materials, the top 10% of 2nd graders will automatically be considered for review.

There is a common misunderstanding here. FCPS clearly states that being on this list does not determine eligibility, nor is it a favorable pathway.

So, how is selection made? FCPS conducts a comprehensive review based on each student's portfolio.

The portfolio includes the HOPE Gifted Behavior Scale, samples of student work, report cards, parent surveys and opinions, and school observation records. Academic achievement test scores are also considered if available.

Additionally, the official page states that no single item in the portfolio is weighted more heavily, and test scores are not given more importance than other items.

Looking at the guidance documents submitted by schools for the 2024-25 school year, it shows that a minimum of 4 and a maximum of 6 work samples are included. This means that the activities conducted throughout the year carry much more weight than a single test.

FCPS also has a clear stance on external private tests. They stated that the screener provided by the school is sufficient, and they do not recommend external assessments.

So, does this mean we shouldn't use any workbooks at all? I don't think that's the case.

The test format itself may be unfamiliar to a 2nd grader. When they first encounter questions about how shapes change according to certain rules, it can take time just to understand the questions.

Therefore, I think it's fine to get familiar with the format, such as working through a few sample questions together. However, repeatedly training on question types at a tutoring center for weeks is a different story.

According to the test provider's materials, when retaking the test in the same format, they recommend a minimum interval of 3 months, and preferably 6 months. This suggests that simply becoming familiar with the questions can lead to score fluctuations.

To be honest, would it benefit a child if their scores were inflated due to learning effects? If the pace of the class doesn't match, it ultimately becomes difficult for the child.

At this point, there are specific dates for parents to keep in mind. The universal screener candidates will be announced in early December.

Parents of 2nd graders who are not on the list can request a review themselves. The submission of the request and selection materials is from August 24 to December 15, and there are no exceptions to the deadline.

The review committee for this pathway will meet in March 2027, and results will be available in early April. There is a separate testing window in March, but parents cannot choose to retake the test at that time.

For reference, FCPS has noted that all these dates are subject to approval by the school board. It's best to confirm with your school's AART teacher for the most accurate information.

So, what should parents considering a request do now? Personally, I would gather the works or writings that my child has created at home rather than enrolling them in a tutoring center.

In the parent opinion letter, it's good to specifically describe instances where the child has created their own questions and pursued them thoroughly. This is exactly what the evaluation scale is looking for.

Don't forget to have discussions with the school teacher as well. The way the teacher sees the child can often differ from how they are seen at home.

To summarize, the test is just one of many materials.

It's okay to lightly familiarize yourself with the format. Remember the December 15 deadline.

How is your family preparing this fall? I'm choosing to suppress my anxious feelings and focus on documenting what my child does well.