The Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) is a multiple-choice K-12 assessment that measures reasoning skills with different types of verbal, quantitative, and nonverbal questions. The CogAT is a group-administered aptitude test commonly given as an entrance exam into school’s gifted programs. What is on the CogAT Test? The CogAT consists of a verbal battery, quantitative battery, and nonverbal battery. Each battery is a separate section of the test containing 3 different types of questions that cover unique cognitive abilities. -Verbal BatteryQuantitative BatteryNon-Verbal Battery -Picture Analogies Number Analogies Figure Matrices -Sentence CompletionNumber PuzzlesPaper Folding -Picture Classification Number Series Figure Classification
What Does the CogAT Measure? Unlike achievement tests such as the SATs, the CogATs do not measure how much a student has learned, but focuses instead on a student’s ability to display cognitive abilities that research have associated with academic success. These abilities include reasoning and problem solving using verbal, quantitative and spatial (non-verbal) methods to find the answers. How is the CogAT administered? There are 14 different levels of the CogAT that vary in difficulty, number of questions, question types, and length. Your child’s age determines which CogAT level they are tested with. Many characteristics of the test are consistent across all levels: Questions are multiple choice Can be administered online or with paper-and-pencil Students are typically tested in small groups. The 3 batteries are usually given together (but they can be administered individually)
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 20-45 minutes per battery.