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CogAT Test (Cognitive Abilities Test)

What is the CogAT?

The Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) is a widely used K–12 assessment designed to uncover how students think, learn, and solve problems. Through a mix of verbal, quantitative, and nonverbal questions, the CogAT measures a child’s reasoning and critical thinking skills, not just what they’ve learned in school. Many schools use the CogAT as part of the screening process for gifted and talented programs, making it a crucial first step for students seeking to qualify for advanced academic opportunities.

What is on the CogAT Test?

The CogAT is a cognitive assessment that comprises a verbal battery, a quantitative battery, and a nonverbal battery. Each battery is a separate section of the test containing three different types of questions that cover unique cognitive abilities.

Verbal Battery	Quantitative Battery	Non-Verbal Battery
Picture/Verbal Analogies	Number Analogies	Figure Matrices
Sentence Completion	Number Puzzles	Paper Folding
Picture/Verbal Classification	Number Series	Figure Classification

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Can You Study for the CogAT?

Preparing for a cognitive test, such as the CogAT, may require more than simply memorizing equations or facts, but you can achieve it with some practice. With our CogAT resources, you are never exposing your child to materials that are actually on the test.

CogAT Test Quick Facts

Full Name	Cognitive Abilities Test
Publisher	Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Creators	David F. Lohman and Elizabeth P. Hagen
Latest Version	CogAT Form 8
Age Range	K-12
Test Format	Online or paper-and-pencil
	Group or individually administered
Amount of Time	2-3 hours
Time per Battery	30-45 minutes
Question Types	Multiple Choice
	Verbal, Quantitative, and Nonverbal

Educators employ the CogAT test in the following ways for gifted identification:

Universal screening:

Many schools use the CogAT as a universal screening tool to identify potential gifted students across all grade levels. By administering the CogAT test to all students, schools can ensure that they are not overlooking any students with exceptional cognitive abilities, regardless of their background or previous academic performance.

Objective assessment:

The CogAT objectively measures a student’s cognitive abilities. It helps identify gifted students who may not excel in a traditional classroom setting. This is particularly important when other factors, such as learning difficulties or language barriers, might obscure their exceptional abilities. By assessing reasoning and problem-solving skills, the CogAT can identify gifted students who traditional measures, such as grades or teacher recommendations, may not identify.

Comprehensive evaluation:

Educators often use the CogAT in conjunction with other assessments. These assessments may encompass achievement tests, teacher recommendations, and parent input. By employing this combined approach, schools can provide a more comprehensive evaluation of a student’s abilities. Consequently, by considering multiple sources of information, schools can make more informed decisions about a student’s potential for gifted programming.

Differentiated instruction:

The CogAT helps schools identify students who may benefit from differentiated instruction or other interventions designed to meet the unique needs of gifted learners. Through this process, educators can pinpoint students’ strengths and weaknesses in specific cognitive domains. Consequently, educators can tailor their instruction to meet the needs of gifted students better and assist them in reaching their full potential.

As a parent, it is essential to understand that the CogAT is just one piece of the gifted identification process. Furthermore, it is crucial to maintain open communication with your child’s school and advocate for your child if you believe they may benefit from gifted programming or additional academic support. Remember that every child is unique, and gifted identification should be based on a holistic approach. This approach should consider a wide range of factors beyond test scores alone.

What Does the CogAT Measure?

Unlike achievement tests such as the SATs, the CogATs do not measure how much a student has learned, but instead focus on a student’s ability to display cognitive skills that research has associated with academic success. These abilities include reasoning and problem-solving using verbal, quantitative, and spatial (non-verbal) methods to find answers.

How is the CogAT administered?

There are 14 different levels of the CogAT, each varying in difficulty, number of questions, question types, and length. Your child’s age determines the CogAT level at which they undergo testing. Many characteristics of the test are consistent across all levels:

Questions are multiple choice
Administered online or with paper-and-pencil
Typically test students in groups of around 20.
The three batteries are usually given together (but they can be administered individually)
Administered by a test proctor who is a school counselor or teacher

You will need to contact your child’s school to figure out the testing methods they will be using. The three most important questions to ask are:

1. Will the test be given online or with paper and pencil?
2. Will all three batteries be given?
3. Which CogAT level will my child be taking? (Outlined below)

Which CogAT Level will my child take?

As mentioned above, it is essential to ask your child’s school which CogAT level they will be administering. Schools can choose to administer an above-grade-level test if they are looking for highly gifted students. They may also choose to administer a test below grade level if students are being assessed at the beginning of the year. The grades and CogAT levels listed below are the most common.

Grade	CogAT Test Level	Number of Questions	Test Time
Kindergarten	Level 5/6	118	112 Minutes
1st Grade	Level 7	136	112 Minutes
2nd Grade	Level 8	154	122 Minutes
3rd Grade	Level 9	170	90 Minutes
4th Grade	Level 10	176	90 Minutes
5th Grade	Level 11	176	90 Minutes
6th Grade	Level 12	176	90 Minutes
7th – 8th Grade	Level 13/14	176	90 Minutes
9th – 10th Grade	Level 15/16	176	90 Minutes
11th – 12th Grade	Level 17/18	176	90 Minutes

How Many Questions are on the CogAT?

Administration time may vary, depending on how long the proctor takes to administer the test. Students are generally given between 20 and 45 minutes per battery.

What is the most updated version of the CogAT?

The most updated version of CogAT is Form 8, which is equivalent to Form 7. The main differences between CogAT Form 7 and Form 8 are as follows:

Content: CogAT Form 8 features new and updated content compared to Form 7, with a greater emphasis on problem-solving and critical thinking skills. The test also includes new question types and formats.
Age Range: CogAT Form 8 extends its coverage to encompass grades K-12, while Form 7 was tailored for grades K-12.
Administration Time: CogAT Form 8 has a shorter administration time than Form 7, with fewer questions in each section.
Norms: CogAT Form 8 uses updated norms based on a larger and more diverse sample population than Form 7.
Scoring: CogAT Form 8 uses updated scoring methods, including composite scores and subtest scores.

CogAT test prep for your child’s CogAT level

CogAT test prep starts with familiarizing your child with the test-taking process. It is also essential to have your child work with CogAT practice questions that are similar to the cognitive test questions they will encounter during the CogAT. Sample questions for each specific CogAT level are provided below.

Our CogAT Parent FAQ provides answers to the most frequently asked questions from parents. We encourage you to message our Student Success Team by chatting from the lower left-hand side of the screen or sending an email to help@testingmom.com to learn how we can help your child achieve their highest possible score on the CogAT.

As a TestingMom.com member, you’ll get access to hundreds of practice questions specifically designed for your child’s CogAT level.

Plus, you’ll get access to all levels of CogAT practice questions with your membership. Your child can practice at a higher level to build advanced skills—or practice at a lower level to strengthen any challenging areas.

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VERBAL BATTERY

Picture/Verbal Analogies – These visual-based questions utilize a 2×2 matrix with three pictures and one empty cell. To approach this question optimally, students must examine the two images at the top to identify their point of relation. The recommended strategy is to begin by analyzing the picture on the bottom row. The goal is to ensure that the three illustrations at the bottom exhibit a parallel relationship to the images above. Overall, this section comprises 14 questions and usually takes about 15 minutes to complete.
Sentence Completion – Students must listen to a sentence or question and choose the picture that best satisfies the sentence or answers the question. This section comprises 14 questions and lasts approximately 14 minutes.
Picture/Verbal Classification – Students examine three illustrations at the top and determine how they are alike. Then, they must choose the one image on the bottom that belongs to the same group. This section comprises 14 questions and typically takes around 14 minutes to complete.

CogAT Verbal Battery Question

QUANTITATIVE BATTERY

Number Analogies – These require the same thought processes as Picture Analogies, except instead of verbal concepts, students must identify relationships between quantitative concepts. Like the verbal battery, this section consists of 14 questions and takes 13 minutes.
Number Puzzles – Students see two trains. They must select the answer picture that makes the second train carry the same number of objects as the first train. This section includes 10 questions and takes 11 minutes.
Number Series – Each question shows an abacus with a bead pattern. Students must rely on their patterning skills to select the next string of beads in the sequence. 14 questions. Approximately 10 minutes.

CogAT Quantitative Battery Question

NON-VERBAL BATTERY

Figure Matrices – These figure analogies require the same thought processes as Picture and Number Analogies. Still, instead of verbal or quantitative concepts, students must identify relationships between spatial forms. By studying and identifying distinct points of relation between previous figures, students can assess possible answer choices. This section consists of 14 questions and takes approximately 11 minutes to complete.
Paper Folding – Students must envision the outcome of folding a piece of paper, making cuts or hole punches in some manner, and then unfolding it. The TestingMom.com website has a fun, animated game to help students with this subtest. This section consists of 10 questions and takes approximately 10 minutes to complete.
Figure Classification – This requires the same thought process as Picture Classification, except that instead of inferring relationships between pictures, students infer relationships between shapes and figures. They then must find the answer on the bottom that belongs with the group on top. This section includes 14 questions and takes approximately 10 minutes to complete.

CogAT Nonverbal Battery Question

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How is the CogAT scored?

When scoring tests, the CogAT employs two types of norms: age norms and grade norms. Comparatively, age norms assess a student’s performance in relation to other children of the same age. In contrast, grade norms evaluate a student’s performance in comparison to peers in the same grade.

Students within this range, which spans from 4 years and 11 months to 18 years old, are organized into one-month intervals. It’s common for scores based on age and grade to exhibit significant similarity. However, using age norms can be more accurate when assessing children who are very young or old for their grade level.

Calculating CogAT scores involves several steps. First, we calculate the raw score by counting the total number of correctly answered questions. Then, we convert raw scores to Universal Scale Scores (USS) for each of the three batteries, which we use to determine the Standard Age Score (SAS), percentile rank, and stanine score. These scores, combined with an analysis of the score patterns, allow us to create a student’s score profile.

What is a Stanine Score?

A stanine (“standard nine”) score is a method for scaling scores on a nine-point scale. You can use it to convert any test score to a single-digit score.

The two numbers that are most useful for a parent trying to interpret their child’s CogAT results are the “Age Stanine” and the “Age Percentile Rank.”

The Age Stanine assesses your child’s cognitive abilities against those of the same age, assigning a number from 1 to 9. These Stanines categorize students based on percentile rank, where 1 represents the lowest and nine the highest cognitive abilities. The average is situated at 5.

The Age Percentile Rank identifies the percentage of students in the same age group whose scores are lower than the score obtained by a particular student. For example, if your child’s percentile rank is 95, this means they outperformed 95% of other children their age.

What is a passing score on this test?

This can vary significantly from state to state and school district to school district. We recommend reaching out to your district for the definitive answer, but overall, we see that scoring in the top 3% or higher, based on national averages, will qualify for most programs.

What is a good CogAT Score?

The highest score your child can achieve is undoubtedly the best score they can have. With the proper preparation, your child can increase the chances of doing that.

You can explore details about the relationship between stanines and percentile ranks, as well as get comprehensive coverage of how the CogAT cognitive test is scored, on our CogAT scoring page.

Where is the CogAT given?

Parents in metropolitan areas across the United States have the highest concentration of interest in preparing their children for the CogAT, a widely administered cognitive test. Major regions that administer the CogAT include Seattle, Dallas-Fort Worth, Baltimore, Atlanta, North Carolina, South Carolina, Washington DC, Chicago, Minneapolis, Houston, and San Antonio.

CogAT Form 7 and Form 8 Updates

In 2011, the CogAT test was updated from Form 6 to Form 7. The most significant difference between the two forms lies in the types of questions for the kindergarten, first-grade, and second-grade levels.

CogAT Form 7 and CogAT Form 8 are the latest editions of the CogAT and reflect the most current research in the measurement of reasoning and problem-solving abilities. Moreover, lead author Dr. David F. Lohman, an internationally recognized researcher in abilities assessment and winner of the National Association for Gifted Children’s Paper of the Decade award, has built on the strengths of CogAT Form 6 by introducing a variety of enhancements. These enhancements include new question types, reduced reliance on English-speaking ability, an expanded instructor support package, multiple administration methods, and reduced testing times.

Due to school districts’ limited funding, some schools are still using the older CogAT Form 6, while others are using the updated CogAT Form 7. If your child is in third grade or above, there is very little difference between the two forms. In this case, it is advised that students practice CogAT Form 7 questions.