NNAT Test Format

Introduction

Intelligence testing has been a subject of interest for psychologists, educators, and parents alike. Among the various types of intelligence tests available, the Naglieri Nonverbal Ability Test (NNAT) is a popular choice for assessing general cognitive ability. Developed by Jack A. Naglieri and published by Pearson Education, the NNAT is a nonverbal measure of intelligence that is designed to be independent of cultural and linguistic background.

Features of NNAT

The NNAT is a nonverbal measure of cognitive ability that assesses general problem-solving and reasoning skills. The test consists of a series of multiple-choice questions that require the test-taker to identify patterns, sequences, and relationships among objects, shapes, and designs. The test is designed to be independent of language and culture, which means that it is suitable for individuals from diverse backgrounds.

Test Format

The Naglieri Nonverbal Ability Test (NNAT) is currently in its third edition, known as the NNAT3, which consists of 48 questions and takes approximately 30 minutes to complete.

The test can be administered either on paper or online and includes four types of questions: 

  • Pattern Completion
  • Reasoning by Analogy
  • Serial Reasoning
  • Spatial Visualization

Each question type assesses different cognitive skills, such as identifying missing portions of a design, recognizing relationships between geometric shapes, identifying sequences of shapes, and combining objects to form a new figure.

The NNAT has seven levels, which are based on the student’s grade level, and not all levels contain all four types of questions. 

The chart below provides an overview of the types of questions included in each of the seven levels of the NNAT.

Level Grade Pattern Completion Reasoning by Analogy Serial Reasoning Spatial Visualization
A Kindergarten Yes Yes No No
B Grade 1 Yes Yes Yes No
C Grade 2 Yes Yes Yes Yes
D Grades 3-4 Yes Yes Yes Yes
E Grades 5-6 Yes Yes Yes Yes
F Grades 7,8,9 No Yes Yes Yes
G Grades 10,11,12 No Yes Yes Yes