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The Otis-Lennon School Ability Test (OLSAT)is published by Harcourt Assessment. It is widely used throughout the U.S. as a screening for gifted program entry. It is also used in conjunction with the Stanford 10 Achievement test to help ascertain whether or not children are working up to their abiilty level.
The specific information provided here is for the OLSAT-8 but the books and software recommended for test preparation are relevant to the OLSAT-7 and earlier editions of the test.
The OLSAT includes tasks such as detecting likenesses and differences, recalling words and numbers, defining words, following directions, classifying, establishing sequence, solving arithmetic problems, and completing analogies. Its intent is to assess thinking skills and provide an understanding of a studentfs relative strengths and weakenesses in performing a variety of reasoning tasks.
There are seven different level of the OLSAT designed for use from Kindergarten to 12th grade. Some school districts test preschoolers. The following table shows the types of questions included at each level of the the test.
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Otis-Lennon School Ability Test (OLSAT)
Test Level and Recommended Grade for Administration |
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Item Type
|
A
(Kinder) |
B
(Gr 1) |
C
(Gr 2) |
D
(Gr 3) |
E
(Gr 4-5) |
F
(Gr 6-8) |
G
(Gr 9-12) |
|
Verbal |
|
|
|
|
|
|
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Verbal Comprehension |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Following Directions |
x |
x |
x |
|
|
|
|
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Antonyms |
|
|
|
x |
x |
x |
x |
|
Sentence Completion |
|
|
|
x |
x |
x |
x |
|
Sentence Arrangement |
|
|
|
x |
x |
x |
x |
|
Verbal Reasoning |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Aural Reasoning |
x |
x |
x |
|
|
|
|
|
Arithmetic Reasoning |
x |
x |
x |
x |
x |
x |
x |
|
Logical Selection |
|
|
|
x |
x |
x |
x |
|
Word/Letter Matrix |
|
|
|
x |
x |
x |
x |
|
Verbal Analogies |
|
|
|
x |
x |
x |
x |
|
Verbal Classification |
|
|
|
x |
x |
x |
x |
|
Inference |
|
|
|
|
x |
x |
x |
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Nonverbal |
|
|
|
|
|
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Pictoral Reasoning |
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|
|
|
|
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Picture Classification |
x |
x |
x |
|
|
|
|
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Picture Analogies |
x |
x |
x |
|
|
|
|
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Picture Series |
x |
|
|
|
|
|
|
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Figural Reasoning |
|
|
|
|
|
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Figural Classification |
x |
x |
x |
x |
|
|
|
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Figural Analogies |
x |
x |
x |
x |
x |
x |
x |
|
Pattern Matrix |
x |
x |
x |
x |
x |
x |
x |
|
Figural Series |
x |
x |
x |
x |
x |
x |
x |
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Quantitative Reasoning |
|
|
|
|
|
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Number Series |
|
|
|
x |
x |
x |
x |
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Numeric Inference |
|
|
|
x |
x |
x |
x |
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Number Matrix |
|
|
|
x |
x |
x |
x |
My number one recommendation in every grade is Building Thinking Skills. This series teaches verbal and non-verbal reasoning skills. The presentation of many of the questions is similar to that of the OLSAT.
Choose your child's grade level above for specific recommendations. Since the OLSAT is most commonly used as a screening tool for gifted program entry these recommendations assume that you do indeed have a bright child. Most gifted and competitive entry programs attempt to identify children with cognitive abilities 2-3 years above those of their typical age peers. To answer the most difficult questions on the OLSAT your child will need to be working at this higher level.
You may find that your child's abilities are not even across the different reasoning skills. This is quite normal and you may decide to purchase different levels of books for verbal, non-verbal and quantitative skills. If you have any doubts please email or phone and I'd be happy to help you make your selection.
If your child is being assessed for program placement or as part of annual homeschool screening select from the same series I've recommended but choose product at their grade level, rather than above.
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