Frequently Asked Questions: This page contains answers to common questions 
of students and parents.

1. How can I have my child tested for GATE?
2. What if my child attends a private school?
3. What test will my child be given?
4. What score is required for GATE?
5. What other measures are used to qualify a student for GATE?
6. How often can my child take the OLSAT?
7. Does my student have to enter the magnet program to participate in GATE?

How can I have my child tested for GATE?

All third grade students and any students who are new to Ocean 
View School 
District are tested in the fall (usually October or November) 
each year.  
Students who arrive in our district after October are tested in 
the spring 
(usually February or March).  The test will only be administered 
with parent permission; written consent must be on file at the 
school in order for students to be assessed.

Please contact your school principal for information regarding 
testing dates and times.

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What if my child attends a private school?

If you live within the Ocean View School District, you may 
contact your home 
school site and have your child assessed during the designated 
testing periods in the fall 
or spring.

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What test will my child be given?

The Otis-Lennon School Ability Test, 8th Edition (OLSAT).  This 
test takes about one 
hour to administer and measures verbal, quantitative, and figural 
reasoning skills.  It is not an achievement test.  Students 
designated as Limited English Proficient (LEP) will be assessed 
using the Naglieri Nonverbal Ability Test (NNAT).

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What score is required for GATE?

Students must have a Total National Percentile Rank score of 89% 
or above to 
be considered for GATE placement.

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What other measures are used to qualify a student for GATE?

The OVSD criteria for GATE includes the OLSAT/NNAT score (89% and 
above); the 
California Standards Test results for English/Language Arts and 
Math; and a  
Teacher Survey of Gifted Characteristics. See GATE Criteria in 
the Documents folder.

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How often can my child take the OLSAT?

Parents and/or teachers may request that a student be re-tested, 
after one calendar year.

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Does my student have to enter the magnet program to participate in GATE?

No, students and parents of those who qualify for the District 
GATE program may choose to participate in either the magnet or 
cluster program.  Contact your child's teacher or the principal 
at your home school site to learn more about how the curriculum 
is differentiated for GATE students.

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