Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) – 2024 Guide

What Is the CogAT Test?

The Cognitive Abilities Test, known as CogAT, is widely used by schools across the United States to assess children from Grades K to 12.

The test measures a child’s reasoning ability against others in the same age group and grade and is often used as an entrance exam to a school’s gifted program. It may also help determine how teachers approach learning and teaching strategies.

There are 14 CogAT levels, each designed to suit the age and grade of the child taking the test, with the type of question and length of test adjusted accordingly.

The number given to the level roughly corresponds to the age of the students it is designed for, so level 8 is usually administered to eight-year-olds and so on.

CogAT Test Levels in Detail

CogAT Level 5-6

This is the test administered at kindergarten level, with 118 questions to be answered in 112 minutes.

CogAT Level 7

Aimed to assess the talents of children in Grade 1 (aged 7), the CogAT Level 7 has 136 age-appropriate, challenging questions to be answered in 112 minutes.

CogAT Level 8

Grade 2 students are around eight years old, and this CogAT assessment has specific questions for this age group. 154 questions in total need to be answered in 122 minutes.

CogAT Level 9

For those aged nine and in Grade 3, 170 questions need to be answered in just 90 minutes.

CogAT Level 10

10-year-old students in Grade 4 must answer 176 questions in 90 minutes.

CogAT Level 11

At this level, the number of questions is the same as for Level 10, but the difficulty increases to be suitable for children aged 11 or in Grade 5.

CogAT Level 12

Administered to Grade 6 children, 176 challenging questions need to be answered in 90 minutes, with questions aimed at students aged 12.

Sample questions for each specific CogAT level can be found in our dedicated articles:

• CogAT 2nd Grade Practice Questions (Level 8)
• CogAT 3rd Grade Practice Questions (Level 9)
• CogAT 4th Grade Practice Questions (Level 10)
• CogAT 6th Grade Practice Questions (Level 12)

What Is Assessed in the CogAT?

The CogAT assesses three separate areas of cognitive ability

• Verbal
• Quantitative
• Non-verbal

Unlike attainment tests such as SATS, the CogAT does not assess knowledge or measure how much has been learned at a certain stage.

Instead, it requires students to use cognitive skills, such as reasoning and problem-solving, to work out the answer.

This helps to give a more thorough understanding of a student’s academic aptitude.

The CogAT results are used to compare students with others in their cohort and also to help identify particular strengths and weaknesses and how these can be supported or developed.

As mentioned above, teachers and other school staff often use the CogAT to determine which children are eligible to join a program for gifted children.

The predictive data can also highlight discrepancies between a student’s progress and their expected academic achievement.

CogAT Question Formats and Types

The CogAT is delivered in three different sections, known as batteries, each is focused on a different cognitive area and consists of three different types of questions:

CogAT Verbal Battery

1. CogAT Picture/Verbal Analogies

Students must identify how two concepts are related. These concepts may be represented by images or words depending on the age level of the test.

There are 14 questions in this section and it takes around 15 minutes to complete.

CogAT Sample Questions

2. CogAT Sentence Completion

Students complete a sentence that is either read to them or they read themselves, picking from a selection of possible answers to fill in the blanks.

There are 14 questions in this section and it takes around 14 minutes.

CogAT Sample Questions

3. CogAT Picture/Verbal Classification

Students are given three words or images that are alike in some way. They must then select one more word or image that goes with them in the same way.

This section is made up of 14 questions and takes around 14 minutes.

CogAT Sample Questions

CogAT Quantitative Battery

1. CogAT Number Analogies

Students must work out the relationship between two mathematical concepts. They then use this model to select an answer that is related to a third given concept in the same way.

There are 14 questions in this section and it takes around 13 minutes.

CogAT Sample Questions

2. CogAT Number Series

Students must complete a series of numbers by finding the underlying pattern.

This section comprises 14 questions and takes around 10 minutes.

CogAT Sample Questions

3. CogAT Number Puzzles

The student will be given a mathematical equation or puzzle and must choose the answer that replaces a ? or symbol.

This section has 10 questions and takes around 10 minutes to complete.

CogAT Sample Questions

CogAT Non-Verbal Battery

1. CogAT Figure Classification

Students must find the relationship between three figures and then select a fourth figure that goes with them in the same way.

This section includes 14 questions and takes around 10 minutes.

CogAT Sample Questions

2. CogAT Figure Matrices

Students are presented with three figures in a 2x2 box. They must find the relationship between the images in the two top boxes before selecting a fourth figure that goes with the third figure in the same way.

This section has 14 questions and takes around 10 minutes.

CogAT Sample Questions

3. CogAT Paper Folding

The student is shown images of a piece of paper that is folded and then hole-punched. They must determine what the final piece of paper will look like once it is unfolded.

This section has 10 questions and takes around 10 minutes.

CogAT Sample Questions

What to Expect When Taking the CogAT in 2024

The CogAT is a multiple-choice test and can either be taken online or on paper. It may be administered individually or in groups.

Students tend to take all three batteries together but schools can choose only to administer certain batteries or to set them separately. Children will usually have about 30 to 45 minutes to complete each battery.

As mentioned earlier, there are different levels of CogAT so the test your child sits will depend on their age and grade. There are also different versions of the test, known as ‘forms’, which have been released as the test is updated and modified. The most recent is Form 8.

It is important to check which form your child will be taking so they can prepare accordingly.

The CogAT assesses cognitive ability and reasoning skills, so students cannot study for it as they would for other types of tests.

However, the following tips should help your child to feel as prepared as possible:

Final Thoughts

All parents want their children to excel, and scoring highly on the CogAT can be an important first step in opening doors to opportunities such as a place on a gifted program.

The test may seem daunting for those who have not tried these kinds of questions before, but with practice, your child will learn how to apply their reasoning and logic with ease.

Proper rest, nutrition and exercise are also vital when it comes to performing well in any test, and it is always important not to place undue pressure on your child.

By keeping practice sessions fun and focused, your child should feel calm, confident and ready to do their very best in the CogAT.