The shift marks the latest attempt by city officials to address a seemingly intractable problem: How to create equity in the admissions process for its gifted and talented program, which begins in kindergarten and goes through third grade.

WSJ: Big Change in Gifted and Talented Testing

"I think similar principles apply in the gifted and talented process, " said Damon Hewitt, director of the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund's education practice.

WSJ: Big Change in Gifted and Talented Testing

"Our new admission process will increase equity and access to Gifted and Talented Programs by ensuring there is a common measurement of giftedness and enabling families to apply to programs outside of their district, " said a spokeswoman for the Department of Education in an emailed statement.

WSJ: Conflicted Over Gifted: NYC's Gifted and Talented Test Changes