In short
The 98th percentile means your child scored as high as or higher than 98 out of 100 children of the same age in the test’s comparison group. It does not mean 98% of the answers were right.
On the CogAT, the 98th percentile sits at a Standard Age Score of about 132 to 133. On the WISC-V it sits at a composite score of about 130 to 131.
Each district or school board sets its own cutoff. A child at the 96th percentile is a strong reasoner who simply landed on the other side of one line.
Key facts
| Percentile rank | CogAT Standard Age Score (approx.) | WISC-V composite (approx.) | What it means |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50th | 100 | 100 | Exactly average for age |
| 84th | 116 | 115 | One standard deviation above average |
| 90th | 120 to 121 | 119 | Top 10% |
| 95th | 126 | 125 | Top 5% |
| 97th | 130 | 128 | Top 3%, a common gifted cutoff |
| 98th | 132 to 133 | 130 to 131 | Top 2%, the York Region cutoff at the WISC-V stage |
| 99th | 137 | 135 | Top 1% |
Approximate values calculated from the published scale means and standard deviations (CogAT: mean 100, SD 16; WISC-V: mean 100, SD 15). Official reports use the publishers’ conversion tables, which can differ by a point or two.
Is the 98th percentile the same as 98% correct?
No. A percentile compares your child with other children, not with the answer key. A child can miss several questions and still land at the 98th percentile if most children of the same age missed more.
This is why a report that says “98” can feel confusing next to a page full of wrong answers. Both can be true at the same time.
Why do gifted programs use the 98th percentile?
Gifted programs aim to serve children whose reasoning is far from the average of their age group, and the top 2% is one common way to draw that line. In Ontario, the York Region District School Board asks for a General Ability Index at or above the 98th percentile on the individual WISC-V before a child goes to the identification committee.
US districts vary more. Some use the 95th or 97th percentile, some look at the composite, and some accept a high score on any one part of the test. Your school can tell you its exact rule.
How much do scores move from one test day to another?
More than most parents expect. Every score has a margin of error, so a child at the 96th percentile on Tuesday could land at the 98th on Friday, or the other way around. Sleep, nerves and an unfamiliar format all play a part.
That is the honest reason to treat one number as a snapshot, not a verdict.
What should you do if your child is just below the cutoff?
Ask the school three questions:
- Is there an appeal or a retest window, and when?
- Do you accept a private psychological assessment?
- Which score did you use: the composite, one battery, or a local percentile?
Then look at the profile. A child at the 96th percentile overall with one very high part, for example nonverbal, often benefits from enrichment in that area even without a placement.
Common ways parents misread the score
- Reading the percentile as a grade. The 85th percentile is a strong result, not a B. Compare with the age group, not with school marks.
- Comparing two tests directly. The CogAT and the WISC-V use different scales, so 130 on one is not 130 on the other. Compare percentiles.
- Ignoring the comparison group. National and local percentiles can differ. Ask which one is on the report.
- Treating one result as permanent. Children change quickly between ages 5 and 10, and many programs allow retesting.
- Sharing the number with your child. Children hear “98” as a label. Talk about effort and the puzzles they enjoy instead.
What to do next
If a gifted test is coming up, find out which areas feel easy and which feel hard. A short check with original questions shows that in about 10 minutes. For how the test is built, read our CogAT guide for kindergarten to grade 5. For Ontario, see how grade 3 gifted screening works and what a CogAT score of 130 means.
FAQ
It means your child scored as high as or higher than 98 out of 100 children of the same age in the test’s comparison group. It is a comparison with other children, not a percentage of correct answers, so a child can miss several questions and still reach the 98th percentile.
On the CogAT, the 98th percentile is a Standard Age Score of about 132 to 133. The scale has a mean of 100 and a standard deviation of 16. Official score reports use the publisher’s conversion tables, which can differ from this estimate by a point or two.
On the WISC-V, the 98th percentile is a composite score of about 130 to 131, because the scale has a mean of 100 and a standard deviation of 15. Psychologists report the exact percentile from the publisher’s norms, so read the percentile on the report rather than converting it yourself.
Not everywhere. In Ontario, York Region asks for a General Ability Index at or above the 98th percentile on the WISC-V. Many US districts use the 95th or 97th percentile, and some accept a high score on one part of the test. Ask your school for its written rule.
Yes. The 96th percentile means your child scored higher than about 96 out of 100 children of the same age. It is just below some gifted cutoffs, and because every score has a margin of error, a child at the 96th percentile could land higher on another day.
It depends on the district or school board. Some allow a retest after a set period, some accept a private psychological assessment, and some test only once in a given grade. Ask about appeals and retest windows as soon as you receive the results.
Many psychologists suggest keeping the exact number between adults. Children tend to hear a percentile as a label about who they are. Talking about effort, the kinds of puzzles they enjoy and what they want to learn next helps motivation more.
Sources
Score scale: Riverside Insights, CogAT Types of Scores (Standard Age Score mean 100, standard deviation 16). York Region cutoff: YRDSB Gifted Screening Procedure. Approximate conversions calculated by Prep4Gifted from published means and standard deviations. Checked 30 October 2026.
Prep4Gifted practice questions are original and written by our team. Prep4Gifted is not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by Riverside Insights (CogAT), Nelson (CCAT) or Pearson (WISC, NNAT, OLSAT). Test names are trademarks of their owners.
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