A Full Guide to the CogAT Test 2nd Grade
Updated January 30, 2024
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The Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) is an aptitude test administered in grades K-12. It measures a child’s current academic understanding and is sometimes used for entry to gifted and talented programs.
As the CogAT test for 2nd grade is administered to seven and eight-year-olds, it is essential to help your child prepare with a CogAT sample test grade 2 and a study plan.
To help with your preparation, this article will explain the format of the CogAT 2nd-grade test, provide tips on how best to prepare, and share example questions.
What Is CogAT Test Grade 2?
CogAT testing for 2nd grade is an aptitude test developed by education and learning publishers Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
They were founded in 1880 and have published tests and learning materials for schools ever since, making this test a reliable reflection of your child’s current level of understanding.
The CogAT itself consists of 154 multiple-choice questions measuring:
- Verbal Reasoning
- Quantitative understanding
- Non-verbal reasoning
Your child will typically sit this test while in the 2nd grade.
However, those applying for gifted and talented programs might take the test towards the end of the 1st grade.
Take a Practice Test for the CogAT 2nd Grade at TestPrep-Online
What to Expect from a CogAT 2nd Grade Test
Like the earlier CogAT tests, your child will have a series of multiple-choice questions that they need to answer.
The test areas are the same and cover verbal, non-verbal and quantitative battery.
However, with the CogAT test in grade 2, your child will now have to read and answer their own questions. They will have 154 questions and a time limit of 122 minutes.
As this is potentially your child’s first time working through a test independently, they have a much longer time limit.
The grade 3 version, for example, has 170 questions and only 90 minutes to complete them.
As this situation might be unfamiliar to your child, working through a CogAT practice test grade 2 as part of the preparation will help.
Verbal Battery
The verbal battery section will measure your child’s ability to:
- Understand English words and sentences
- Make judgments about what they read
- Memorize
Quantitative Battery
This section assesses your child’s understanding of:
- Basic numerical concepts
- Relationships between sequences, numbers and patterns
Non-verbal Battery
The non-verbal section measures your child’s ability to understand relationships using icons, pictures and images.
As this is their first time reading their questions and marking answers on a bubble sheet, language is not the primary focus of the test.
CogAT Test Grade 2 Sample Questions
Below are a few CogAT sample questions for grade 2 tests. They are designed to give you an idea of the type of questions your child might have to answer.
They are not affiliated with the CogAT test, nor are they likely to appear on the actual test.
Sample questions for each specific CogAT level can be found in our dedicated articles:
- CogAT 3rd Grade Practice Questions (Level 9)
- CogAT 4th Grade Practice Questions (Level 10)
- CogAT 6th Grade Practice Questions (Level 12)
Verbal Practice Questions
1. Orange is to orange juice, as lemon is to....?
a) Soda
b) Lemonade
c) Water
d) Tea
2. Pick the word that goes with these ones
Brocolli, Carrots, Tomatoes
a) Fish
b) Peppers
c) Plates
d) Chocolate
3. Which word is missing from the sentence?
’Flowers _____________ in the spring’
a) Fall
b) Breath
c) Grow
d) Sleep
1. What is the missing number in the series?
6 | 10 | ? | 18 | 22
a) 12
b) 14
c) 16
d) 20
2. Which number goes where the X is?
One + three + five = three + one + X
a) One
b) Nine
c) Five
d) One
1. Which picture best fits the missing space?
2. Which picture fits the missing box?’_
a) Picture of a sock
b) Picture of a toothbrush
c) Picture of a slipper
d) Picture of a hat
If you want 12-month access to all the practice resources for this test, our partner TestPrep-Online.com offers a Family Membership.
Family Membership gives you access to all the TestPrep-Online resources for the next 12 months. You will also get two separate accounts, which can be very helpful if you have two children preparing for their tests.
Get a Family Membership with 12-month access
How to Practice CogAT Test Grade 2?
Helping a young child prepare for a test isn’t always easy. However, there are several excellent CogAT test prep grade 2 tips you implement to help your child score the best they can.
Step 1. Explain the Test Format
Explain the whole test process and that they must read the questions for themselves this time.
Ask them if there is anything they don’t understand, and try to keep the explanations as simple as possible.
If you’re not sure about any areas of the test, ask your child’s teacher.
Step 2. Check Their IT Skills
Most children these days can easily work their way around an iPad and computer, but check they are comfortable with completing a test on the computer by completing an online CogAT sample test grade 2.
Step 3. Make the Learning Fun
Turn the questions into fun games by using toys and treats.
Give your child lots of praise when they do something right, and always ask why they think that is the answer. This will help develop their reasoning and language skills.
If you’re not sure what games to play, ask your child’s teacher or explore forums on Reddit and Quora.
There are lots of discussion boards regarding the CogAT that you may find helpful.
Step 4. Take Online Practice Tests
Complete as many CogAT practice tests for 2nd grade as your child can manage. The more you do online, the more comfortable your child will feel on test day.
Equally, you can ask the teacher for any CogAT grade 2 worksheets for you and your child to work through if practicing on a computer is too difficult.
Step 5. Practice Time Management and Focus
The biggest challenge in this test is your child’s attention span. Two hours is a very long time for a seven-year-old to focus for.
When starting the preparation, practice without time limits and keep the sessions short.
As they become more comfortable with the practice sessions, start introducing time limits for answering questions and gradually extend the study sessions until your child can focus for two hours.
By the end of the preparation, your child should feel comfortable completing a full sample CogAT test (2nd grade).
Step 6. Rest and Eat Well Before the Exam
Tiredness, dehydration and hunger all slow cognitive thinking and attention spans. Ensure your child sleeps well, drinks water, and eats healthy foods.
Step 7. Don’t Pressure Your Child
We all want our children to do their best, but pushing them at a young age can affect their mental state later in life.
Explain that these tests are important but also reassure your child that you will not be disappointed if they don’t perform as expected.
During your CogAT test prep grade 2 sessions, try to keep any frustrations hidden. If your child sees you get angry, they will lose interest and not want to practice.
Step 8. Invest In a Preparation Pack
There are several great free CogAT grade 2 practice tests available online.
However, if you are preparing your child for a gifted and talented program or feel you need additional support, investing in a paid preparation pack like the ones on TestPrep-Online might be something to consider.
The CogAT (grade 2) is an aptitude test taken in the 2nd grade to measure a child’s academic development. It assesses quantitative, verbal and non-verbal abilities.
The grade 2 version is the first test your child will sit where they will have to read the questions themselves.
Your child can complete the CogAT test (grade 2) with the correct practice. However, as it measures your child’s learning ability, there is no pass or fail score.
Instead, your child will receive a percentile and stanine score that indicates whether your child is developing in line with national expectations, above or below.
You can prepare your child for the grade 2 CogAT test by getting them to complete online practice tests and ensuring they are well-rested and hydrated.
As the test is over two hours, it is advised that you also develop their time management and concentration levels by starting with short practice sessions and gradually building up.
As the test is designed to see how well your child is developing, there is no official fail score. Some days children perform really well in tests, and some don’t. A bad score does not affect their schooling.
If your child is applying for a gifted and talented program and the CogAT is the entrance exam, then yes, the test is important. However, most of the time, this test is a tool to measure how your child is developing.
Taking any test at a young age is scary, and it can be a challenge getting them to focus for long lengths of time, so any preparation will make a difference.
Focus on practice tests that will familiarize your child with the test format and work on building up their attention span.
Yes, you can retake the CogAT test, but it is administered twice a year in most schools.
You can find sample questions for the CogAT test (grade 2) at TestPrep-Online.
There are 154 questions on the CogAT test (grade 2) and a time limit of 122 minutes.
The purpose of the CogAT test (grade 2) is to see how your child is developing academically. It assesses verbal, non-verbal and quantitative understanding.
You can find a study guide for the CogAT test (grade 2) at TestPrep-Online.
Final Thoughts
Preparing any young child for an academic test is always challenging.
To help your child with the CogAT test for 2nd grade, ensure they get enough practice on the computer and make building their attention span a priority.
Remember, this is one of many tools used to measure a child’s academic ability. A low result is not a fail but an indication of where your child currently is.
If there is anything about this test, or your child’s academic progress, that you are unsure about, speak to their teacher and see what advice they offer.
