CogAT® 1st Grade Test

The CogAT® Test for 1st Grade builds upon the foundational thinking and reasoning skills assessed in Kindergarten. It measures how well a young learner understands relationships between concepts, numbers, and images, without relying heavily on reading skills. This makes it a key assessment for identifying gifted and talented potential at an early age.

While many question types are similar to those in Kindergarten, the 1st Grade CogAT introduces slightly more advanced logic and problem-solving challenges. Students begin to demonstrate stronger fine motor skills and spatial awareness, which are helpful when using a bubble sheet to record answers—something many 1st graders will do for the first time on this test.

Tip for parents: TestingMom.com members can download free bubble sheets to help their children become familiar and comfortable with this test-taking format before test day.

CogAT 1st Grade Practice Questions by Subtest

Below, you’ll find CogAT 1st Grade sample questions that mirror those found on the actual test. Practicing these helps students build confidence and improve their performance on test day.

1) Quantitative Battery – Number Puzzles

This section measures a child’s ability to solve math-based puzzles and recognize relationships between numbers. Students must think critically to find missing values or balance equations using addition, subtraction, and other basic operations.

In the following number puzzle subtest example, there are two trains. Each must be pulling the same number of red “boxes”. The child’s task is to identify which train should replace the train(s) with a question mark. So, the train to the left of the chain is pulling the same number of red boxes as the train to the right of the chain.

Example #1:

Look at the example below. Do you see how the first train is pulling two cars with 9 red boxes? Now look at the second train. It is pulling one car with 0 red boxes. We need to add another car where the question mark is, so this train will be pulling the same number of red boxes as the first train. Which car should we add so the second train will be pulling 9 red boxes?

2) Non-Verbal Battery – Figure Classification

Figure Classification challenges students to spot similarities among shapes and patterns. Children must choose the figure that belongs in a set based on visual traits, helping educators understand their pattern recognition and visual reasoning skills.

Example: A student sees two rows of shapes. The top row shares a visual trait. The student selects a shape from the bottom row that fits the same rule.

Example #2:

Look at the shapes on top. They are alike in some way, and so they belong together. Choose one shape from the bottom row that belongs with the figures on top.

3) Verbal Battery – Verbal Analogy

Verbal Analogy questions assess language reasoning. Students must determine how two pictures are related and apply the same relationship to a second pair of pictures. This builds vocabulary and enhances critical thinking without requiring reading fluency.

In the verbal analogies example below, the child sees a pair of items on top that have a certain relationship with each other.  The child must determine how they are related to each other. Then, the child must choose a picture from the possible answers that will have the same relationship with the picture on the bottom left.

Example #3:

Look at the two pictures on top. They go together in some way. Now, look at the picture in the bottom box and then review the answer choices. Do you see a picture among the answer choices that goes with the picture on the bottom, in the same way the pictures on top go together?

4) Quantitative Battery – Number Series

In this subtest, students are shown a sequence of numbers or images and must identify the pattern to predict what comes next. This builds early algebraic thinking and number sense.

In the number series subtest, the child sees an abacus with one rod missing. The child needs to review the first five rods and look for a pattern or rule. Then the child should choose the sixth rod that would continue to pattern or follow the rule in the sixth place.

Example #4:

Look at the example below. This is an abacus. The beads in the first 5 rods form a pattern or follow a rule. The beads in the sixth rod are missing. Can you choose the rod that goes in the sixth place that would complete the pattern or follow the rule?

5) Non-Verbal Battery – Paper Folding

In the example below, the child observes a series of pictures depicting the folding of a piece of paper. Subsequently, one or more holes get punched into the paper. The child’s task is to choose the answer that illustrates what the paper will look like when unfolded.

Example #5:

Parent, say to your child: Take a look at the pictures across the top. They show a piece of square paper being folded. Then, one or more holes are punched in the folded piece of paper. Can you point to the answer that shows what the unfolded square piece of paper will look like?

Answers:

1) Option 3 – with 9 red boxes

2) Option 3 – always has a middle black square; 3 squares are black

3) Option 2 – the fan

4) Option 3 – a rule of each number repeating twice: 4,4,1,1,5,5

5) Option 2

If you’re seeking assistance with CogAT® 1st Grade, TestingMom Online Tutoring is here to help. We understand the importance of nurturing cognitive development and achieving success in assessments. Our team of expert tutors specializes in CogAT preparation and can provide the guidance and support your child needs for success. Schedule a FREE consultation call with one of our experts today to give your child the advantage they deserve.

CLICK HERE for more information about the CogAT, as published by Riverside.

Tell us about your experiences

35 Responses

Lynn

I am surprised as to how many that I got wrong as an adult. I think it’s good brain workouts. I also think that it’s very important for kids to practice/ study before each test. For the teachers to tell the kids the day before testing that they don’t need to study for these test is wrong. We all as parents want our kids to be prepared for what they are going to be tested for. Same with anything in life. We all like to be prepared. Thanks for the free practice sheets.

david

I love it.

Yale.Rebecca

A long way, you can finish step by step, and then you can’t reach without a foot

swapnaswamy@gmail.com

These are good practice questions

marilynjs@leeschools.net

I can’t get to the 100 free practice questions, when I click on the sign, nothing happens. Please include a direct link.

TestingMom.com

Thank you for reaching out to us! You can access our 100 free interactive questions here: https://www.testingmom.com/buy-now/?free-questions=1

All the best,

Marcus

Lidia Zerga

I like cogat test

Lidia Zerga

i love it

kumar.gejara@gmail.com

I liked it and it gives more education and more interesting – kindergarten student Sourish Gejara

mkapoor7@yahoo.com

I am unable to get the free practice test for Cogat 1st grade

Lavanya

Very helpful

Kavita

Great experience! I think it’s very good for brain exercise and knowledge for kids.

dhanijamb89@gmail.com

very good

claudel

I am interested in it

TestingMom.com

Hi Claudel –

Please email us at help@testingmom.com with any questions you might have!

All the best,

Marcus

Junlei

Good question!

hcps-Narangr@henricostudents.org

good!

anukolte123@gmail.com

Not getting free 100 questions

TestingMom.com

Thank you for reaching out to us.

When you login to your free TestingMom account, on the left hand side of the page, you’ll see a link for our 100 Free Questions.

All the best,

Marcus

Kavita

Hi… would like to use your help

TestingMom.com

Hi Kavita –

Feel free to call us at 877-609-6203 or email us at help@testingmom.com. We’re here to help 7 days a week!

All the best,

Marcus

griffin303@msn.com

I’m confused how to get the 100 free practice questions. It said sign up so I did but now it’s saying sign up again?

JC

My son is going to be tested for the gifted and talented program and I want to help prepare him for the CoGAT test.

TestingMom.com

Great! Sign-up for the 100 free questions to get started with CogAT prep!

Haneefah

Interesting

lbuchheit@pcsd32.com

I am looking for the 100 free practice cogat questions but cannot locate them as I have in the past. Can you please help?

Gplips@gmail.com

good question and my son find its very interesting and having fun to solve it. 🙂

padmagsri@gmail.com

How to access sample cogat ( for first grade ) test papers for free?
I’ve been a member since last year

TestingMom.com

Hello,

Please reach out to our Parent Success Team at help@testingmom.com or by calling (877) 609-6203. They will be more than happy to assist you!

annemarielaurel@yahoo.com

Extremely helpful examples! Thank you 🙂

Lidiaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

I haven’t been doing cogat. Cogat is a great way to help you go into gifted.

Lidia

this was a great practice. I got into gifted with this!

Lidia

Yes, I’m here again
the first time I commented I was in 1st
then the 2nd was in 4th
then the 3rd 5th
AND NOW 6th
I’m not sure how to get the free 100 questions
but this place made a pretty big impact on my grade (lol I was failing in 3rd – I had a 72-)
BUT it got better because of this
:>

TestingMom.com

Lidia, we are so happy to see you back! It is awesome to know that our test prep materials have helped you over the years. We’re excited to share our 100 Free Questions with you! It’s a fantastic way to try out a variety of the tests we offer. Plus, you don’t have to make any purchases to access them. Here’s a quick guide on how to get started:
First, head to www.testingmom.com and sign in using your email and password.
Once you’re in, you’ll see a “100 FREE QUESTIONS” button on the left-hand side of the page.
Next, you’ll be directed to a page with a big blue box that says “FREE QUESTIONS.” Simply click the orange button that says “UNLOCK NOW” to access them.
Stick around and we hope to hear from you again!

Diane

Excellent practice

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