The Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) is an evaluation of a student’s verbal, quantitative and non-verbal reasoning skills. Administered to grades K-12, the CogAT is designed as an assessment of pure reasoning skills used to identify gifted students. The test series is developed by Riverside Publishing and has been published since 1954.
How Schools Use the CogAT
Schools utilize the CogAT as an entrance exam to gifted programs. A school that uses the CogAT in their gifted assessments will first give a class a shortened version of the test to screen students for the full exam. If a student scores high enough to qualify, the student will then be given the full exam at a later time. Schools that use the CogAT will have a schedule to administer it. Contact your school administrator to find out when they schedule the CogAT screening and full exam.
CogAT Format
The CogAT is made up of three batteries of tests, each of which consists of three subsections as follows:
| Verbal Battery | NonVerbal Battery | Quantitative Battery |
| Sentence Completion | Figure Matrices | Number Analogies |
| Picture Analogies | Figure Classification | Number Puzzles |
| Picture Classification | Paper Folding | Number Series |
The test questions are multiple-choice based. The nine test formats are given separately and each has its own test time, varying between 20-45 minutes. Form 8 is the most up-to-date version of the CogAT, with new question types and greater emphasis on problem solving and critical thinking. The CogAT for K-2nd graders is administered orally, with no reading required, and uses picture based questions.
Here are the tests given by grade:
| Grade | Test Level | Total Question Number | Time |
| Kindergarten | Level 5/6 | 118 | 118 min |
| 1st Grade | Level 7 | 136 | 112 min |
| 2nd Grade | Level 8 | 154 | 122 min |
| 3rd Grade | Level 9 | 170 | 90 min |
| 4th Grade | Level 10 | 176 | 90 min |
| 5th Grade | Level 11 | 176 | 90 min |
| 6th Grade | Level 12 | 176 | 90 min |
| 7th-8th Grade | Level 13/14 | 176 | 90 min |
| 9th-10th Grade | Level 15/16 | 176 | 90 min |
| 11th-12th Grade | Level 17/18 | 176 | 90 min |
Preparing for the CogAT
It is possible to prepare for reasoning tests such as the CogAT by taking practice tests and performing practice problems. It is important to use practice materials specfically designed to simulate the CogAT. These practice exams and problems familiarize students with the format of the test and the types of questions that will be on it. Because the test does not evaluate any sort of subject comprehension, it is not necessary to study vocabulary, math or science in preparation for the CogAt.
For comprehensive practice for your child, Tests.com offers two practice tests for the K-2nd grade levels, K-1st Grade and 2nd Grade. Our material is written by elementary school teachers who work with gifted students. Our interactive test platform allows you to simulate the exam. Your child can take as many practice tests as they need. There's no time limit or recurrent charges.
For a free CogAT practice test, see our free CogAT Practice Exam.
