GATE is Redondo Beach Unified School District's Gifted and Talented Education program. RBUSD uses two ability tests. The OLSAT, the Otis-Lennon School Ability Test, measures verbal, quantitative, and spatial reasoning. The NNAT®, the Naglieri Nonverbal Ability Test (third edition, NNAT3), uses only shapes and patterns.
This guide is for RBUSD families in Redondo Beach who want to know which test their child will take, when, and what score counts.
What RBUSD says about GATE identification
Identification is a single number: a score at or above the 95th percentile on one administration of the OLSAT or NNAT3. The FAQ says RBUSD does not take teacher recommendations, school test results, or any other qualifier. Both tests are given online, and the OLSAT is timed at 40 minutes.
| Test basics | What RBUSD parents should know |
|---|---|
| Test | OLSAT for most students; NNAT3 typically for students whose first language is not English |
| Grade tested | 3rd grade, with an option to opt out |
| Window | March, one test day per school plus one make-up day |
| Qualifying score | 95th percentile or higher on a single administration |
| Other criteria | None: no teacher recommendations or other scores |
| Results | Mailed in June, near the end of the school year |
| Retest | 90th to 94th percentile scorers can retest the next fall |
| Older and new students | Grades 4-7 who were never tested, or new to RBUSD, can test in March on parent request |
Students cannot be tested before 3rd grade. Children with an IEP, a 504 plan, or who are English learners can all participate. Families of 3rd graders can opt out.
The fall retest is easy to miss
A child who scores between the 90th and 94th percentile in March is eligible to retest the following fall. Students in grades 4 through 7 who were never assessed, or who are new to RBUSD, can test in the March window if a parent requests it. Students transferring in with GATE eligibility from another district can ask the Office of Educational Services to review it.
GATE instruction in RBUSD happens mostly in the regular classroom, through differentiation, plus enrichment classes in grades 4 through 8. GATE status is not used for middle or high school course placement.
Questions RBUSD parents should ask
- Is my child scheduled for the OLSAT or the NNAT3?
- What is our school's March test day and make-up day?
- If my child scored 90 to 94 last year, how do we sign up for the fall retest?
- For a 4th to 7th grader who was never tested: how do I request testing?
- How will the June score report be sent?
- Who is the GATE Site Specialist at our school?
Our broader questions to ask your school guide can help you turn those into one clear conversation with your school's GATE Site Specialist.
How to prepare without adding pressure
If your child is scheduled for the NNAT3, a March test date means January and February are the natural time to start. Keep it short and steady: 10 to 15 minutes a day is plenty. Start with format familiarity by showing your child the kinds of visual puzzles the NNAT® uses, and talk through the reasoning after each question rather than just marking it right or wrong.
Closer to the test, add at least two full timed practice tests so pacing on test day is not a surprise. Practice teaches your child what the questions look like and gives them ways to approach and think through them, so test day feels familiar instead of surprising. Our guide to how to prepare for the NNAT® lays out the progression in more detail.
Frequently asked questions
When does Redondo Beach Unified test for GATE?
In March of each school year. Each school has a designated test day and one make-up day, and parents are notified as the window approaches.
Does RBUSD use the OLSAT or the NNAT?
Both. The district FAQ says the NNAT3 is typically given to students whose first language is not English, so most 3rd graders take the OLSAT.
What score qualifies for GATE in Redondo Beach Unified?
The 95th percentile or higher on a single administration of the OLSAT or NNAT3. RBUSD does not use teacher recommendations or any other qualifier.
Can my child retest if they just missed the cutoff?
Yes, if they scored between the 90th and 94th percentile. Those students can retest in the fall of the following school year.
When do RBUSD families get GATE results?
In June, near the end of the school year, as a mailed score report with notice of GATE eligibility.
Can a younger child be tested for GATE in RBUSD?
No. The district says students are only eligible starting in the spring of 3rd grade.
Does GateBuddy offer OLSAT practice?
Not yet. GateBuddy currently offers NNAT practice, which fits RBUSD students scheduled for the NNAT3.
Start with a calm first look.
GateBuddy’s free NNAT® practice introduces the question styles and explains how to think through them.
Try five questions free