The OLSAT or Otis Lennon School Ability Test is an aptitude test for grades K-12 that assesses a child’s overall ability in reasoning and problem-solving skills.
Measuring intellectual abilities such as verbal, nonverbal, and quantitative abilities, it is often used to determine a child’s eligibility for programs for gifted students.
Now on its eighth edition, the OLSAT Test was first published by Pearson PLC in 2003. For this article, we will focus on the OLSAT Level G Test.
Table of Contents
OLSAT Test Overview
The OLSAT has seven levels and is often group-administered. The length of time allotted for the test varies according to level, but in general, the test takes a maximum of 75 minutes.
In detail, the test evaluates a student’s performance on tasks such as detecting likenesses and differences, recalling words and numbers, defining words, following directions, classifying, establishing sequence, solving arithmetic problems, and completing analogies. The student’s total score in the OLSAT exam is analyzed to see if they can enter gifted and talented programs.
Tests are grouped into two: verbal and nonverbal sections. Under verbal tests, students will need to answer various verbal comprehension and verbal reasoning questions. While in nonverbal tests, students’ abilities in pictorial reasoning, figural reasoning, and quantitative reasoning will be tested.
The number of multiple-choice questions also varies according to level: kindergarten students (OLSAT Level A) are given 40 questions while grade 1 (OLSAT Level B) and grade 2 (OLSAT Level C) students are given 60. Grade 3 (OLSAT Level D) students are given 64 questions, and the rest of the levels (OLSAT Level E, OLSAT Level F, and OLSAT Level G) provide 72 questions. The OLSAT G Level Test is for older students. Typically, these pupils are in grades 9 to 12.
Why Schools Use the OLSAT Test
The OLSAT is a nationally-recognized tool in the US that is used to assess the academic abilities of students looking to gain entry into elite learning programs.
High OLSAT test scores are accepted by high IQ societies such as American Mensa (requiring a total SAI ≥ 132) and Intertel (requiring a total SAI ≥ 138). Furthermore, OLSAT enhances educators’ insight by providing information beyond what traditional achievement tests provide. Together with the Stanford Achievement Test Series Tenth Edition (Stanford 10), OLSAT 8 scores may also be used to relate a student’s actual achievement with his or her school ability.
The latest version of the OLSAT uses a child-friendly format: attractive, eye-catching graphics are prominent, and across all levels, test items are arranged so that difficult items are followed by easy items. This prevents students from getting discouraged as they take the test.
For educators, the test is designed to help them come up with positive actions based on the test results. This includes strengthening instruction in areas where the student experiences difficulties and evaluating school programs and policies to fit the needs of their students.
What Type of Questions Are Asked
For OLSAT Level G, the test consists of the following question types:
Antonyms
Sentence completion – identifying logical relationships between words
Sentence arrangement – understanding the structure of language
Arithmetic reasoning
Logical selection – applying logical reasoning to distinguish between which answers might be correct and which are always correct
Word/Letter matrix – identifying a pattern or relationship among words or letters and supplying a missing letter or word
Verbal analogies – understanding the relationship between a pair of words and applying this relationship to another pair of words
Verbal classification – identifying words or concepts that do not fit in a group by evaluating the relationship among the words/concepts
Inference – deciding an appropriate conclusion based on a provided argument or scenario
Figural analogies
Pattern matrix
Figural series – predicting the next step in a series of geometric shapes
Number series – determining the pattern or sequence of a group of numbers
Number inference – determining the relationship between numbers and applying this relationship to another pair or group of numbers
Number matrix – identifying the missing number in a matrix containing numbers
To familiarize yourself with the specific questions that your child may be given during the OLSAT, find sample tests or questions for the OLSAT Level G Test. To give you a better idea of the type of questions that students taking OLSAT have to face, here are some sample questions for verbal and arithmetic reasoning and the correct answers for each.
Example Question for Verbal Reasoning:
Which word does not go with the other four?
a) apple
b) banana
d) orange
e) grape
f) potato
Correct Answer: f) potato
Explanation: The first four options (apple, banana, orange, and grape) are all fruits. Potato is a vegetable. Therefore, the correct answer is potato.
Example Question for Arithmetic Reasoning:
What is the next number in the series: 3, 6, 12, 24, __?
a) 40
b) 44
c) 48
d) 52
e) 56
Correct answer: c) 48
Explanation: The given series follows a pattern of multiplying the previous number by 2. Starting with 3, multiply it by 2 to get 6, then multiply 6 by 2 to get 12, and so on. The next number in the series is obtained by multiplying 24 by 2, resulting in 48. Therefore, the correct answer is c) 48.
You can find more questions like these in test preparation packs for the OLSAT Level G Test available online. These premium prep packs include sets of practice tests that provide correct answers and detailed explanations for the practice questions. These will your child score higher in their real test.
Interpreting a child’s OLSAT test score can be challenging, especially if you’re researching it for the first time. The OLSAT is scored through the following:
The raw score. The raw score shows the total number of all questions correctly answered. For instance, a raw score of 50 means 50 out of 60 questions were answered correctly.
The School Ability Index (SAI). The School Ability Index (SAI) calculation is done by comparing raw scores of students of the same age. The maximum SAI rating is 150, with an average rating of about 100.
Rank in Percentage. The SAI is then used to calculate a child’s overall percentile rank. The total percentile rank of the child is achieved by comparing their SAI result to other children in the same age bracket. For example, if your child is in the 70th percentile, it means they scored as well as or better than 70% of the children within the same age group.
Test results are usually sent around two months after the test is taken. The detailed report that will be provided will give you the information you need in looking for gifted programs your child is qualified for. To have a better idea of the scores needed, you can also try researching these programs and checking the required OLSAT qualifications.
How Do You Prepare for the OLSAT Level G Test
Utilizing the OLSAT Practice Test
OLSAT test preparation starts with familiarizing the child with the tests and how they are usually conducted. It would help if you also get your child to try answering practice questions, many of which can be found online. In addition, OLSAT practice questions and tests are available for each level.
The OLSAT test can be daunting even for older children. The good news is that you don’t have to send your child to the OLSAT test unprepared and overwhelmed.
There are plenty of tools that you can use for your OLSAT Level G test prep process, including workbooks, online sites, puzzles, and even tutors who specialize in the skills measured on the Otis Lennon School Ability Test. Some tutors even allow a one-on-one setting to help the child prepare better, focus on the test sections they find most difficult, and improve the likelihood of getting good OLSAT scores.
With a little planning and preparation, you can help your child ace the OLSAT Level G Test and take one less worry off your plate.
Managing Test Stress
As any parent knows, preparing for a test can be stressful. You never know for sure what will be on the exam, and you want your child to be as prepared as possible. However, it is important to remember that the test is only one measure of your child’s abilities.
While it is crucial to help your child develop the skills that are being tested, it is also important to encourage them to challenge themselves.
Since tests such as the OLSAT can be stressful for students, you can also try mentally preparing them for it. Some of the biggest hurdles include teaching them to stay calm under pressure, manage their time wisely, and think outside the box. With some practice and preparation, your child can overcome these obstacles and perform their best on the test.
Study Groups and Support
If you can find other students and parents who are practicing for the OLSAT, try arranging meet-ups or practice sessions with them so that your child won’t feel alone as they study for the test. It will also allow your students to compare study styles and share tips and suggestions for improvements.
If you’re feeling a bit more hands-on, you can also try creating a study schedule and allot time to practice each of the question types. Make sure to provide plenty of study breaks so that your child doesn’t feel overwhelmed. It’s also important to create a quiet space conducive to studying. Make sure that your child is given the space–both time and physical space–to concentrate and think about the concepts that they have to study.
In answering sample questions, give your child the chance to answer the questions on their own. This way, you will understand how they approach each question and see the gaps that you need to take a look at in terms of their comprehension. It would be helpful to have them solve questions at least twice so that they remember how to arrive at the correct answer.
General Test-Taking Tips
Some other general tips to prepare for test day include:
Ensure that the child understands that they did well to prepare for the entire test so that they can shake off some of their test anxiety.
Have your child eat a good and healthy meal before the OLSAT Level G Test.
Make sure your child gets enough sleep before the actual test.
Give your child all the moral support you can give them.
What Are the Benefits of the OLSAT?
The OLSAT tests offer an accurate way of measuring students’ intellectual ability, but it also helps you understand the educational or developmental needs of your child better.
The results of the test can be used by educators, schools, and parents in gaining more insight into students’ abilities and potential. This guides them in coming up with effective teaching methods and practices, and in customizing lesson plans according to the needs of students. For parents like you, the results will also be helpful in finding the right academic program or enrichment program for your child.
The results of the test can also be useful for students. The OLSAT allows them to assess a variety of skills and to see which areas they are good at and which areas they need to work on. As parents, it’s important to communicate to your child that the result they get does not dictate their future.
Whatever the result, help them keep in mind that the test is there to help and guide students in their academic journey. Getting a low score does not mean that they failed. Since this may be one of the first aptitude tests your child will take, it will also prepare them for the other aptitude tests that will come as they progress in their education.
For any child, any standardized test can be challenging. However, there are many OLSAL Level G practice tests available online that you can take advantage of in helping your child practice for the test.
Other than these resources, don’t hesitate to ask teachers or training institutions about OLSAT and what their advice is for first-time takers. Keep in mind that the test may be updated and the type of questions may change in the future.
