The iPrepGenius blog
Practical, honest articles for parents navigating gifted, state, and admissions testing.
SSAT Elementary Level: A Complete Parent Guide
SSAT Elementary prep guide for parents
ReadISEE Lower Level: What to Expect and How to Prepare
ISEE Lower Level guide for parents and students
ReadNNAT vs OLSAT: Which Gifted Test Does Your Child Take?
Understand NNAT vs OLSAT for gifted programs
ReadCCAT Prep for Canadian Families: A Parent's Guide
CCAT prep guide for Canadian parents
ReadHow to Prepare for the CogAT in Grade 3
Prepare your child for the CogAT test in grade 3 with practice and strategies
ReadWhat if my child misses the gifted cutoff?
A calm, practical look at your options if your child scores just below the gifted threshold — appeals, retesting, and what really matters.
ReadPreparing your child for the CogAT without the stress
A calm, realistic plan for the weeks before the CogAT — what actually helps, what to skip, and how to keep your child's confidence intact.
ReadThe HSPT explained: Catholic high school placement
What the High School Placement Test covers, how it's scored, and how 8th graders can prepare for Catholic high school admission.
ReadSigns your child might be gifted (that aren't grades)
Giftedness often shows up as intensity, curiosity, and unusual questions long before it shows up on a report card. Here's what to actually look for.
ReadVerbal analogies: a parent's teaching guide
How to teach the verbal-analogy questions that power the CogAT, OLSAT, and SSAT/ISEE — with a simple naming trick.
ReadHelping a child who freezes on timed tests
When the clock starts and your capable kid goes blank, it's rarely about ability. Here's how to help a child stay calm and finish strong on a timed test.
ReadNumber series questions: how to help your child see the pattern
A simple, parent-friendly method for teaching the number-series questions found on the CogAT and similar tests.
ReadCCAT prep for Canadian families: what's actually different
If your child's school board uses the CCAT for gifted screening, here's what the test involves, how it relates to the US CogAT, and how to prepare calmly.
ReadWISC-V and WPPSI explained: gifted IQ testing basics
What the WISC-V and WPPSI cognitive assessments measure, who administers them, and how they fit into gifted identification.
ReadNNAT vs OLSAT: which test, and what each one rewards
Two of the most common gifted screeners look very different. Here's how the NNAT and OLSAT differ, and what that means for how you help your child prepare.
ReadKindergarten gifted testing: what parents should know
How gifted identification works for the youngest students — what's tested, how it's given, and how to prepare a 4–6 year old gently.
ReadThe ISEE Lower Level, explained for nervous parents
A plain-English guide to the ISEE Lower Level — what's on it, how the scoring works, and how to help your 4th or 5th grader prepare without panic.
ReadRaven's Progressive Matrices explained for parents
What Raven's measures, how it's scored, and why districts use it for gifted screening — in plain language.
ReadTest-day tips for anxious kids
Practical, kind ways to lower test anxiety so your child can show what they actually know.
ReadMath competitions for elementary & middle school: MOEMS, Kangaroo, MATHCOUNTS & AMC 8
A friendly overview of the major K–8 math competitions — what they are, who they're for, and how to prepare.
ReadPrivate school admissions timeline: a month-by-month guide
When to research, test, apply, and interview for selective private schools — a clear month-by-month plan.
ReadCogAT question types explained (all three batteries)
A breakdown of every CogAT question type — verbal, quantitative, and nonverbal — so you know exactly what your child will see.
ReadHow to get into a gifted program: a parent's guide
The typical path into gifted & talented programs — referral, testing, cutoffs, and how to prepare.
ReadMAP Growth scores explained for parents
What the RIT score means, how percentiles work, and how to read your child's MAP Growth report.
ReadHow to prepare for the Texas STAAR test
What the STAAR covers by grade, how it's scored, and how to help your child prepare without the stress.
ReadISEE vs SSAT: which private-school test should your child take?
A clear comparison of the two main private-school admission tests — sections, scoring, the wrong-answer penalty, and how to choose.
ReadHow to prepare for the OLSAT
The OLSAT's verbal and nonverbal sections, how the SAI is scored, and a simple prep plan for parents.
ReadWhat is a good NNAT score?
How the NNAT is scored — the NAI, percentile, and stanine — and what score gifted programs typically look for.
ReadSupporting a gifted child at home
Practical, low-pressure ways to nurture a curious, advanced learner — beyond test prep.
ReadFigure matrices: nonverbal reasoning explained
How figure-matrix questions work on the CogAT, NNAT, and OLSAT — and a simple way to teach the underlying skill.
Read5 signs your child might be ready for gifted testing
Traits commonly associated with giftedness — and a low-pressure next step if several sound familiar.
ReadIowa Assessments (ITBS) explained for parents
What the Iowa Assessments measure, how they're scored, and how they're used for placement and gifted screening.
ReadWhat is a good OLSAT score?
How the OLSAT's School Ability Index (SAI), percentile, and stanine work — and what gifted programs typically look for.
ReadHow to prepare for the ISEE
The ISEE's five sections, stanine scoring with no guessing penalty, and how to prepare for private-school admission.
ReadHow to prepare for the SSAT
The SSAT's sections, percentile scoring, the wrong-answer penalty, and a focused prep plan for private-school applicants.
ReadCogAT vs NNAT vs OLSAT: which gifted test does your district use?
A plain-English comparison of the three most common gifted-screening tests — what each measures, and how to find out which one your child will take.
ReadHow to read your child's CogAT score report
What the CogAT percentile, stanine, and SAS actually mean — and how to tell where your child is strong without panicking over a single number.
ReadOne practice question + one practical tip each week, matched to gifted & admissions testing. No sales pitch — unsubscribe anytime.
Double opt-in. We never sell your email. One-click unsubscribe.