GT is an opportunity available for students who are interested in pursuing advanced courses. You can join the GT program in elementary school or at any time in the later school years by taking an aptitude test. The test and its dates vary depending on the school district.

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My district has GT referral window open 2 times in a year.

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Why GT?

The answer depends on your plans for middle or high school. If your district offers academies or magnet schools specializing in certain areas, you may only be eligible to apply if you are a GT student.

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However, if you plan to attend a school zoned to your area, GT status may not have any impact. Your GT qualification cannot limit or grant access to specific subject options. This means that all subjects—whether on-level, Advanced, or AP—available to GT students are equally accessible to non-GT students.

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What is the advantage?

As mentioned earlier, one advantage is the ability to apply to magnet or academy schools within your district.

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Academies often offer a wider variety of courses. For example, they may provide multiple foreign language options in middle school, whereas a regular school might offer only one, such as Spanish.

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Another advantage is the personal growth it fosters. As a GT student, you will be:
 

• challenged with additional topics within subjects,

• required to create a yearly plan with a vision for yourself,

• and expected to complete a mandatory year-end project.

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GT Mentorship program

One of the most compelling reasons to consider a GT option (if available) is the GT Mentorship program, an exclusive opportunity for 12th-grade GT students. This competitive internship program is integrated into the 12th-grade curriculum. While your school's website should provide specific details, here is a general overview based on my district’s program:

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• 11th-grade GT students apply for the GT Mentorship program in the fall.

• The application process includes an online form with essays and student-related infographics.

• Shortlisted candidates are invited for an in-person interview.

• Only about the top 30 students are selected for the final mentorship program.

• Mentorship opportunities are available in various fields, such as healthcare, software development, and business administration. Students choose their preferred area when applying.

• Once selected, the program begins in 12th Grade and takes place off-campus, requiring students to travel to the internship location.

• The mentorship includes hands-on training, guidance from professionals, and a final presentation.

 

In my view, this is the most significant advantage of the GT program. However, it is highly competitive, only about 30 students getting selected from the entire district. NOTE that aside from eligibility for this mentorship, GT status does not affect the selection of courses/subject levels (Advanced, Honors, AP, or IB) during your academic years.

 

Year - End GT Project

Visit the TSPS site to explore the types of projects available. Based on your grade level and interest, you may pick any of the options available. https://www.texaspsp.org/ 

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When can I take the GT test?

You can join the program at any point during your K-12 schooling years. However, in my opinion, enrolling in elementary school is ideal, as it allows you to plan your academic path more effectively for middle and high school.

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What's on the test?

This is a cognitive ability test, independent of regular academic subjects. You may consult your school counselor for information on the test curriculum; however, keep in mind that counselors are not required to recommend study materials, as the test is designed to assess a student's natural aptitude.

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Cognitive Ability Test consists of three parts:

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• Verbal

• Quantitative

• Non-verbal - reasoning and problem solving using spatial symbols.

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Here are some books I used to get into the GT program in my 2nd grade. You can find other grade levels on amazon as well:

 

• COGAT

• NNAT

• OLSAT

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How do I register?
Reach out to the school counselor and you will get the form for registration and other details.

personal note...

I truly enjoyed the year-end projects. They can help you discover your passion or realize which areas you don’t enjoy as much.

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However, by the time you reach high school, you’ll see that you wouldn’t have missed out on anything without the GT program. You have the freedom to choose any subject and any level—On Level, Advanced, or AP—regardless of your GT status, as subject selection approval is not based on it.

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Some students know early on what they want to pursue in high school and beyond, while others take more time to explore their interests. Joining GT is a personal choice and does not define your intelligence!

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