Don’t Just Practice for the CogAT Test. Build a Thinker
What is the CogAT Test?
Schools often use the CogAT to help find students who would be a great fit for their gifted and talented (G&T) programs. The three main sections of CogAT test prep explore a different way of thinking: with words (Verbal), with numbers (Quantitative), and with shapes or figures (Nonverbal).
Key Aspects of the CogAT Test Prep
Verbal Battery: This part looks at how well your child understands relationships between words and ideas.
● Picture/Verbal Analogies: Finding relationships between pictures or words.
● Sentence Completion: Choosing the word that best completes a sentence.
● Picture/Verbal Classification: Grouping pictures or words that are alike in some way.
Quantitative Battery: This section is a series of logic puzzles using numbers to test problem-solving, not calculation speed.
● Number Analogies: Finding the relation between a pair of numbers and applying it to another.
● Number Puzzles: Finding the missing piece in a simple equation, like a fill-in-the-blank.
● Number Series: Identifying a number pattern and predicting the next number.
Nonverbal Battery: This section uses pictures and figures to test visual problem-solving.
● Figure Matrices: Finding the missing shape in a 2x2 visual matrix.
● Paper Folding: Visualizing folds and holes in paper when unfolded.
● Figure Classification: Identifying a common characteristic among shapes and choosing one that fits.
What Does the CogAT Measure?
| Reasoning Skills | The ability to analyze information, identify relationships, and draw logical conclusions. |
| Problem-Solving Abilities | The capacity to tackle new and unfamiliar problems by applying learned concepts flexibly. |
| Learning Aptitude | A student's potential to succeed in school and learn new things effectively. |
Who Can Attempt the CogAT Test?
● Level 5/6: Ages 5-6 (Kindergarten)
● Level 7: Age 7 (Grade 1)
● Level 8: Age 8 (Grade 2)
● Level 9: Age 9 (Grade 3)
● Level 10: Age 10 (Grade 4)
● Level 11: Age 11 (Grade 5)
● Level 12: Age 12 (Grade 6)
● Levels 13-18: Middle & High School (Grades 7-12)
CogAT Test Format
The total number of questions varies by level but is typically between 118 and 176 questions. The test is administered by schools either in a group setting or individually and can be taken online or with a paper-and-pencil booklet.
How Cuemath Helps to Build Your Child’s CogAT Confidence?
● Beyond Test Prep: Cuemath develops core cognitive abilities for lasting skills.
● Focus on the 'Why': Tutors emphasize understanding over rote learning.
● Logical Thinking & Pattern Recognition: Builds number sense and reasoning for Number Analogies, Puzzles, and Series.
● Lifetime Thinking Skills: Strengthens foundational cognitive skills, not just test performance.
Ready to make your child MathFit™? Join 400K parents who trust Cuemath for personalized, expert guidance.
What does the CogAT test for?
The CogAT tests for a student’s reasoning and problem-solving abilities using words, numbers, and shapes. It is designed to measure thinking skills rather than academic knowledge.
How many questions are on the CogAT?
The number of questions varies by the test level but typically ranges from 118 to 176 questions, split across the three batteries.
What is a good CogAT score?
A good CogAT score depends on the program your child is applying for. Scores are often reported as a Percentile Rank (comparing your child to others in their age group). For many gifted programs, a score in the 90th percentile or higher is considered good. Another common score is the Stanine (a scale of 1-9), where 7, 8, or 9 is considered above average.
Is CogAT an IQ test?
No, the CogAT is not an IQ test. It is a group-administered abilities test that measures reasoning skills important for school, whereas an IQ test is a one-on-one clinical assessment of a person’s broad intellectual potential.
When is the CogAT test given?
The timing varies by school district, but the CogAT is often administered in the fall or spring. Your child’s school will provide the specific dates.
How is the CogAT administered?
The test is given at school, either to a whole class at once or in smaller groups. It can be administered online using a computer or tablet, or with traditional paper-and-pencil test booklets.
Is there a CogAT test in other languages?
The Verbal Battery is administered in English. However, the Quantitative and Nonverbal batteries use only numbers, shapes, and figures, making them accessible to all students, including English Language Learners.
What is a normal CogAT score?
An average CogAT score is a percentile rank of around 50. On the stanine scale (1-9), the average range is 4, 5, and 6.
How do I prepare my child for CogAT testing?
The best way to prepare is to encourage your child’s curiosity. Activities like reading together, playing board games, and even building with blocks are perfect for developing the problem-solving skills the CogAT test measures.
The only other thing you need to do is introduce them to a few sample questions so the unique format feels comfortable and familiar. That alone can make a huge difference in reducing test-day anxiety.
What is asked in the CogAT test for 2nd grade?
The CogAT test for 2nd grade is designed to see how your child thinks and solves problems they’ve never seen before.
Schools use it mostly to find kids who might be a good fit for a gifted or advanced program. It helps them spot a child’s natural talents. The puzzles come in 3 question formats:
● Puzzles with Words (to see how they connect ideas verbally).
● Puzzles with Numbers (to see how they reason with quantities).
● Puzzles with Shapes (to see their problem-solving skills without using any words at all).
What is the CogAT test for kindergarten?
It sounds intense to give a formal test to a kindergartener, but the CogAT test for kindergarten is really just a listening and pointing game. The test comprises three kinds of picture puzzles:
● Word Puzzles: The teacher might say, "A bird lives in a nest. Where does a dog live?" and your child points to a picture of a doghouse.
● Number Puzzles: It’s not math. It’s more like, "This group has three dots. Which picture on the other side also shows three things?"
● Shape Puzzles: This involves finding patterns or figuring out what a folded and hole-punched piece of paper will look like when opened.
What is the CogAT test for 3rd grade?
By 3rd grade, the CogAT test becomes more of a puzzle-based test than the simple "pointing game" given to younger kids. While it’s still not a test of school subjects, it does assess their reasoning skills in a more advanced way. Its primarily used to identify students for gifted and talented (G&T) programs.
The three sections are more complex now:
● Verbal: Your child will read analogies like Stop is to "go" as "day" is to ___? and choose the correct word.
● Quantitative: They’ll solve number-based puzzles, like finding the next number in a sequence (e.g., 5, 8, 11, 14, __?).
● Nonverbal: The shape puzzles get trickier, requiring them to classify figures and see relationships between complex patterns.
Does Cuemath cover all the CogAT levels?
Yes, we offer personalized 1:1 CogAT test help for all levels. Your child is matched with an expert math tutor trained to help students ace the competitive math exams. They adapt the learning plans as per your child’s goals, pace, and needs for CogAT test preparation.