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If your child may take the OLSAT, you are usually trying to learn what the assessment measures, which level the school assigns, and how scores such as the School Ability Index relate to gifted screening in your district. This guide explains Pearson OLSAT 8 in plain terms and links to 45 original practice questions that span multiple reasoning skills.
Key takeaway: OLSAT 8 looks at selected verbal, nonverbal, and quantitative reasoning skills linked to school learning. Districts that use it for gifted screening still set their own criteria, so one SAI or percentile never works as a universal qualification.
OLSAT stands for the Otis-Lennon School Ability Test. Pearson describes OLSAT 8 as measuring verbal, nonverbal, and quantitative abilities related to academic success. Schools and districts may use it alongside teacher input, achievement evidence, and local policy when they want a general ability signal.
Educational notice: The 45 practice questions below are original and level-agnostic. They are not official OLSAT items, cannot reproduce every Level A-G form, and are not endorsed by Pearson or your school district.
This page contains one affiliate link. The provider is independent of Pearson, OLSAT, and any school or district. It does not supply official OLSAT questions, administer OLSAT 8, determine School Ability Index scores, or make placement decisions.
What OLSAT 8 is and who publishes it
Pearson publishes OLSAT 8, the current eighth edition. Its official product page lists paper administration for K-12 and online administration for grades 2-12, with a maximum testing time of 75 minutes that varies by level. Administration is described as untimed within that maximum.
Read Pearson’s OLSAT 8 product information and its OLSAT 8 overview brochure for the current official materials.
OLSAT 8 is a general ability indicator. It can help educators think about how a student approaches verbal, figural, and quantitative reasoning. It is not a measure of what a student has already been taught in a specific course, and a strong result in one area does not by itself determine eligibility for a particular program.
OLSAT levels A-G
OLSAT 8 has seven levels designed for broad school grades. The school selects the level using its testing plan, the student’s grade, and Pearson’s administration guidance.
| Level | Pearson brochure grade mapping | Practical caution |
|---|---|---|
| A | K | Kindergarten placement varies by school and testing window. |
| B | Grade 1 | Confirm the level with the school, especially for students taught above grade. |
| C | Grade 2 | Pearson makes Levels C-G available online. |
| D | Grade 3 | Local procedures may affect the assigned form and format. |
| E | Grades 4-5 | This range does not make every grade 4 or 5 student interchangeable. |
| F | Grades 6-8 | A school’s grade placement policy controls. |
| G | Grades 9-12 | Older students may receive different local accommodations or formats. |
The table follows the grade ranges shown in Pearson’s brochure. It is not a recommendation to self-assign a level. If a school has sent a test notice, ask the coordinator which level and format will be used.
Question types families may see
Pearson groups OLSAT 8 content into verbal, nonverbal, and quantitative skill areas. Not every cluster appears at every level, and early levels include more pictorial or listening-oriented work than later levels do.
Verbal reasoning asks how a student works with language and ideas. Depending on the level, tasks may involve verbal comprehension, antonyms, sentence completion, sentence arrangement, logical selection, word or letter matrices, verbal analogies, verbal classification, and inference. Some early-level work uses aural directions, so listening carefully matters.
Nonverbal reasoning uses pictures, shapes, and patterns rather than relying mainly on vocabulary. Pearson’s materials include pictorial reasoning and figural reasoning such as picture classification, picture analogies, picture series, figural classification, figural analogies, pattern matrices, and figural series. For figural items, look for one feature at a time: rotation, position, shading, size, or a repeating cycle.
Quantitative reasoning appears at levels where Pearson lists it. Tasks may include number series, numeric inference, number matrix items, and arithmetic reasoning. These questions reward relationships and efficient checking more than advanced school math alone.
Across all three areas, common formats include following directions (watch words such as “first,” “before,” “except,” and “only”), classification (name the shared rule before choosing), and analogies (match the relationship, not just an associated word).
Administration, timing, and test day
Pearson describes OLSAT 8 as untimed with a level-dependent maximum of 75 minutes. Schools control materials, instructions, breaks, accommodations, and the actual schedule.
Families sometimes see rough logistical estimates around 40-60 minutes for younger levels and around 60-75 minutes for later levels. Treat those as planning hints only. The school’s test materials and coordinator control the real plan.
For test day, confirm the assigned level, format, arrival time, and accommodation arrangements directly with the school. Do not assume an online sample matches your child’s official form.
How OLSAT 8 is scored
A student answers individual items, and the school or scoring service converts performance into reportable scores using the relevant norms. Pearson lists School Ability Index (SAI), Percentile Rank, Stanine, and NCE by age, plus Percentile Rank, Stanine, and NCE by grade. Reports can also include scaled scores and, when OLSAT 8 is administered with Stanford 10, an Achievement/Ability Comparison.
Raw correct answers are not enough to interpret a result on their own. The level, norm group, age or grade comparison, test date, and local reporting practice all matter. Only the official score report and the professionals using it can interpret an individual result.
School Ability Index
The School Ability Index is a norm-referenced score often described with a mean near 100 and a standard deviation of 16. It is not a percentage correct and should not be treated as a clinical IQ diagnosis.
Percentile rank and stanine
A percentile rank shows the percentage of students in the relevant norm group who scored at or below a given score. A 90th percentile does not mean 90 percent of questions were answered correctly. Stanines place results into one of nine broad bands, with 5 near the middle of the distribution.
Gifted program thresholds are local
Some districts use OLSAT 8 as one component of gifted and talented screening. Others rely on a different ability assessment, achievement evidence, teacher input, portfolios, local norms, or multiple measures. When a district uses a threshold such as a particular SAI, percentile, or stanine, that cutoff is set locally.
Do not assume an online threshold applies to your school, or that meeting one number guarantees admission. Ask the district gifted office for the current written eligibility policy, the norm reference used, and any review or appeal process.
OLSAT compared with CogAT and NNAT
OLSAT 8, CogAT, and NNAT are all used in school ability screening, but they are not interchangeable.
- CogAT, published by Riverside Insights, commonly reports verbal, quantitative, and nonverbal batteries. See our CogAT guide.
- NNAT is designed primarily as a nonverbal ability assessment, while OLSAT 8 includes verbal, nonverbal, and quantitative clusters. See our NNAT guide.
Their item formats, norms, levels, administration choices, and district uses can differ. Practice broad reasoning habits rather than expecting one sample question to predict another publisher’s form.
How to prepare without overdoing it
Preparation should build calm familiarity, not attempt to memorize a test. Use short, varied sessions: read directions slowly, explain one analogy relationship aloud, sort objects by a stated rule, track one change in a shape sequence, and review basic number relationships. Stop before fatigue turns practice into a negative experience.
Common mistakes to avoid:
- Treating a practice score as an official score.
- Assuming every sample question appears at every level.
- Solving a pattern after checking only one feature.
- Choosing a word associated with the stem instead of matching the relationship.
- Ignoring words such as “not,” “before,” or “except” in directions.
- Equating percentile rank with percentage correct.
- Comparing a gifted threshold from one district with another district’s policy.
Optional third-party practice
For additional third-party practice after you understand the official format, OLSAT practice tests from TestPrep-Online may help a family become familiar with similar question types.
Check the provider’s current product details independently. TestPrep-Online is not Pearson material and cannot guarantee a score, placement, or gifted program outcome.
OLSAT Practice Questions
These 45 questions are original, level-agnostic practice. They deliberately combine verbal, figural and quantitative-style reasoning, so the set is not a replica of any one OLSAT 8 Level A-G paper. For the figural items, the SVG is a black-and-white stimulus only.
Introductory verbal reasoning
1. Which word is most nearly opposite in meaning to tentative?
A. uncertain B. cautious C. provisional D. definite
Correct answer: D
Explanation: Tentative describes something uncertain or not fully decided. Definite describes something clear and settled, making it the best opposite.
2. Blueprint is to building as recipe is to:
A. meal B. kitchen C. chef D. ingredients
Correct answer: A
Explanation: A blueprint gives a plan for constructing a building. A recipe gives a plan for preparing a meal. The relationship is plan to finished result.
3. Which item does not belong?
A. triangle B. circle C. rectangle D. pencil Correct answer: D Explanation: The first three are shapes. A pencil is an object used for writing.
4. Complete the sentence: The librarian asked everyone to speak ____.
A. quietly B. quickly C. loudly D. outside Correct answer: A Explanation: Libraries usually require low voices. Quietly best completes the meaning of the sentence.
5. Sapling is to tree as fledgling is to:
A. bird B. nest C. feather D. wing
Correct answer: A
Explanation: A sapling is a young tree. A fledgling is a young bird. The relationship is young developmental stage to mature category.
6. Which pair has the same relationship as cold : hot?
A. open : closed B. winter : coat C. cup : drink D. floor : room Correct answer: A Explanation: Cold and hot are opposites. Open and closed are also opposites.
7. Choose the best category for robin, eagle and owl.
A. insects B. birds C. fish D. reptiles Correct answer: B Explanation: A robin, eagle and owl are all birds. The other categories do not include all three.
8. Which word completes the pattern? small, medium, large, ____.
A. huge B. narrow C. tiny D. little Correct answer: A Explanation: The words increase in size. Huge continues the sequence after large.
9. If Mia puts the red book on the shelf before the blue book, which book is placed second?
A. red B. blue C. both together D. neither Correct answer: B Explanation: The red book is placed first because it comes before the blue book. Therefore the blue book is second.
10. Which word is most nearly a synonym for repair?
A. break B. hide C. borrow D. mend Correct answer: D Explanation: To repair something is to mend it. The other options do not share that meaning.
11. Book is to reading as fork is to:
A. eating B. sleeping C. drawing D. singing Correct answer: A Explanation: A book is used for reading. A fork is used for eating.
12. Which word does not belong?
A. Monday B. Tuesday C. April D. Wednesday Correct answer: C Explanation: Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday are days of the week. April is a month.
13. Complete the sentence: Although the path was steep, the hikers continued ____.
A. empty B. asleep C. silent D. forward Correct answer: D Explanation: Continuing forward makes sense for hikers on a path. The other choices do not complete the action clearly.
14. Hand is to glove as foot is to:
A. sock B. shoe C. toe D. sandal Correct answer: B Explanation: A glove covers a hand. A shoe covers and protects a foot.
15. Which two words are most alike?
A. slow and light B. rapid and slow C. swift and heavy D. rapid and swift Correct answer: D Explanation: Rapid and swift both mean fast. The other pairs do not share the same meaning.
16. Which word should come first in alphabetical order?
A. zebra B. apple C. moon D. river Correct answer: B Explanation: Apple starts with A. The other words start with letters later in the alphabet.
17. A chef is to kitchen as a teacher is to:
A. classroom B. pencil C. pupil D. lesson Correct answer: A Explanation: A chef commonly works in a kitchen. A teacher commonly works in a classroom.
18. Which statement is most reasonable?
A. A fish rides a bicycle to school. B. A cloud is made of solid rock. C. A seed may grow into a plant. D. A clock eats its lunch at noon. Correct answer: C Explanation: Seeds can germinate and grow into plants under suitable conditions. The other statements are not realistic.
Nonverbal and higher-level reasoning
19. Which option continues the pattern: circle, square, circle, square, ____?
A. square B. triangle C. circle D. rectangle Correct answer: C Explanation: The pattern alternates circle and square. After a square, the next figure is a circle.
20. Which option has the same relationship? A small black circle becomes a large black circle.
A. a small black square B. a large outline square C. a large black square D. a small outline circle Correct answer: B Explanation: The circle changes size from small to large while keeping its fill. The small outline square should become a large outline square.
21. Which figure does not belong?
A. A B. B C. C D. D Correct answer: D Explanation: A, B and C are triangles. D is the only square.
22. A dot moves clockwise around the corners of a square: top-left, top-right, bottom-right, ____.
A. top-left B. bottom-left C. centre D. top-right Correct answer: B Explanation: Moving clockwise visits the four corners in order. After bottom-right comes bottom-left.
23. Which option completes the sequence: one line, two lines, three lines, ____?
A. one line B. two lines C. four lines D. a circle Correct answer: C Explanation: Each figure adds one vertical line. The next figure should have four vertical lines.
24. Which option is the mirror image of the figure?
A. an L with its foot pointing left B. an L with its foot pointing right C. a T shape D. a square Correct answer: A Explanation: A vertical mirror reverses left and right. The vertical part remains vertical, while the foot points left.
25. Which shape completes the analogy? Triangle with 3 sides is to square with 4 sides as pentagon with 5 sides is to:
A. triangle B. square C. hexagon D. circle Correct answer: C Explanation: The relationship adds one side, from three to four. A five-sided pentagon becomes a six-sided hexagon.
26. A shaded region moves from left to centre to right. Where should it move next?
A. left B. centre C. right D. left again Correct answer: D Explanation: The shaded third has moved through left, centre and right. A repeating three-position cycle returns to the left.
27. Which option has exactly two black shapes?
A. A B. B C. C D. D Correct answer: B Explanation: Option B contains a black circle and a black square, making two black shapes. A has one, C has none and D has three.
28. Which option continues the rotation?
A. left B. up C. down D. right Correct answer: A Explanation: The arrow turns 90 degrees clockwise each time: up, right, down. The next direction is left.
29. Which figure is made of one circle and one triangle?
A. A B. B C. C D. D Correct answer: C Explanation: Option C contains one circle and one triangle. Each other option contains a different pair.
30. In a repeating pattern, a black square is followed by two white squares. What comes immediately after the second white square?
A. white square B. black square C. white circle D. black circle Correct answer: B Explanation: The repeating unit is one black square followed by two white squares. After the second white square, the next unit begins with a black square.
31. Which option has the most sides?
A. A B. B C. C D. D Correct answer: D Explanation: The options have three, four, five and six sides respectively. The hexagon in D has the most sides.
32. Which option completes the pattern? white circle, black circle, white square, black square, ____.
A. black circle B. white square C. white circle D. black square Correct answer: C Explanation: The pattern cycles through white circle, black circle, white square and black square. It then begins again with a white circle.
33. Which figure is different because it has no line of symmetry?
A. A B. B C. C D. D Correct answer: D Explanation: The square, circle and isosceles triangle each have at least one line of symmetry. The uneven triangle in D does not.
Intermediate verbal and quantitative reasoning
34. What number comes next? 4, 7, 10, 13, ____.
A. 14 B. 15 C. 16 D. 17 Correct answer: C Explanation: The sequence adds 3 each time. Adding 3 to 13 gives 16.
35. Which number is missing? 2, 4, 8, 16, ____.
A. 18 B. 24 C. 30 D. 32 Correct answer: D Explanation: Each number is doubled. Doubling 16 gives 32.
36. Sam has 12 stickers. He gives 5 away. How many stickers remain?
A. 7 B. 8 C. 6 D. 5 Correct answer: A Explanation: Giving away 5 means subtracting 5 from 12. The result is 7.
37. Which number does not belong? 6, 12, 18, 25, 30.
A. 6 B. 12 C. 25 D. 30 Correct answer: C Explanation: Six, 12, 18 and 30 are multiples of 6. Twenty-five is not a multiple of 6.
38. Complete the rule: 3 + 4 = 7, so 30 + 40 = ____.
A. 34 B. 70 C. 700 D. 10 Correct answer: B Explanation: Add the tens in the same way as the ones. Thirty plus 40 equals 70.
39. Which number is halfway between 10 and 18?
A. 12 B. 13 C. 14 D. 15 Correct answer: C Explanation: The distance from 10 to 18 is 8. Half of 8 is 4, and 10 plus 4 is 14.
40. A box holds 4 rows of 3 apples. How many apples are in the box?
A. 7 B. 10 C. 11 D. 12 Correct answer: D Explanation: Four rows of three means 4 multiplied by 3. That equals 12 apples.
41. What number completes the pattern? 1, 4, 9, 16, ____.
A. 25 B. 20 C. 24 D. 32 Correct answer: A Explanation: These are square numbers: 1 times 1, 2 times 2, 3 times 3 and 4 times 4. The next is 5 times 5, which is 25.
42. A number is greater than 20 but less than 24. It is even. Which number is it?
A. 21 B. 22 C. 23 D. 24 Correct answer: B Explanation: The numbers strictly between 20 and 24 are 21, 22 and 23. Only 22 is even.
43. Find the missing number: 5, 10, 15, ____, 25.
A. 18 B. 19 C. 20 D. 22 Correct answer: C Explanation: The pattern increases by 5. The number between 15 and 25 is 20.
44. If one notebook costs 3 pounds, how much do two notebooks cost?
A. 5 pounds B. 6 pounds C. 8 pounds D. 9 pounds Correct answer: B Explanation: Two notebooks cost two groups of 3 pounds. Two times 3 equals 6 pounds.
45. In the number matrix, the lower number in each column is 6 more than the number above it. What is missing?
| 4 | 10 |
|---|---|
| 10 | ? |
A. 12 B. 14 C. 15 D. 16 Correct answer: D Explanation: In the first column, 4 plus 6 equals 10. Apply the same vertical rule in the second column: 10 plus 6 equals 16.
Answer Key
| # | Answer |
|---|---|
| 1 | D |
| 2 | A |
| 3 | D |
| 4 | A |
| 5 | A |
| 6 | A |
| 7 | B |
| 8 | A |
| 9 | B |
| 10 | D |
| 11 | A |
| 12 | C |
| 13 | D |
| 14 | B |
| 15 | D |
| 16 | B |
| 17 | A |
| 18 | C |
| 19 | C |
| 20 | B |
| 21 | D |
| 22 | B |
| 23 | C |
| 24 | A |
| 25 | C |
| 26 | D |
| 27 | B |
| 28 | A |
| 29 | C |
| 30 | B |
| 31 | D |
| 32 | C |
| 33 | D |
| 34 | C |
| 35 | D |
| 36 | A |
| 37 | C |
| 38 | B |
| 39 | C |
| 40 | D |
| 41 | A |
| 42 | B |
| 43 | C |
| 44 | B |
| 45 | D |
Unofficial Practice Bands
These bands apply only to this mixed practice set. They are not OLSAT 8 scores, percentile ranks, stanines, SAIs or gifted-program cut-offs.
| Correct answers | Informal interpretation |
|---|---|
| 0-15 | Revisit directions and practice one skill type at a time. |
| 16-30 | Build consistency by checking relationships before answering. |
| 31-38 | Good familiarity with the mixed skills in this sample. |
| 39-45 | Strong result on this practice set; it does not predict an official outcome. |
Official Resources
Pearson is the primary source for current OLSAT 8 information, materials and reporting details. Use the official OLSAT 8 page for the latest product and administration information. Families should get test-day, accommodation and selection-process details directly from their school or district.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is OLSAT an IQ test?
OLSAT 8 is a school ability assessment, not a clinical IQ assessment. Pearson describes it as a general ability indicator related to academic skills. A score should be interpreted in the educational context for which it was reported.
Is the OLSAT timed?
Pearson describes OLSAT 8 as untimed with a level-dependent maximum of 75 minutes. The actual school schedule, directions and breaks are set by the administrator.
What is a good School Ability Index score?
There is no universal “good” score. An SAI is interpreted against the relevant norms, and schools may use different evidence for different purposes. A gifted program can set a local threshold, but that policy is not transferable to other districts.
Can I use these questions to identify my child’s OLSAT level?
No. This page intentionally mixes skills from across a broad age and grade range. The school should assign the official OLSAT 8 level.
Does a high OLSAT score guarantee gifted placement?
No. Eligibility criteria are local and often use more than one measure. Ask the school district for its current written policy.
Related Guides and Next Steps
Start with the academic assessment tests hub to compare school ability and achievement assessments. Then read the CogAT guide, the NNAT guide and our TestPrep-Online review before choosing any additional preparation resource.
For test day, confirm the assigned level, format, arrival time and accommodation arrangements with the school. Bring no assumptions from an online sample: the school materials and Pearson administration guidance control.