What is a Good CogAT Score & How is it Measured?

CogAT Form 8 is the current version of the Cognitive Abilities Test. Schools use it to assess how students think and reason, rather than what they have learned in the classroom.

The test assesses three core reasoning areas:

• Verbal Reasoning (V): Working with words, language, and verbal relationships
• Quantitative Reasoning (Q): Working with numbers, logic, and patterns
• Nonverbal Reasoning (N): Solving visual and spatial problems using pictures and shapes

Together, these three areas form a composite score, which schools often consider when making decisions about gifted identification, enrichment placement, and instructional planning.

The CogAT is designed to examine patterns of reasoning that support learning, rather than knowledge acquired through instruction.

The CogAT helps identify:

• How a child reasons when learning new material
• Areas where learning comes more naturally
• Areas where additional guidance may support learning
• Areas where a different instructional approach may be effective

Although the CogAT measures reasoning abilities related to learning, it does not define intelligence or predict future success. Instead, it is one tool schools use to better understand a child’s learning patterns and reasoning strengths.

CogAT scores are reported separately for three reasoning areas. Each battery reflects a different way a child approaches thinking and problem-solving, which helps explain score patterns and strengths on the report.

CogAT reports provide multiple comparison types to explain a student’s performance from different perspectives. Together, these scores create a complete picture of your child’s reasoning abilities.

Depending on the objective, schools may review three types of norms:

• Age-Based Norms: Comparing a student to others of the same age nationwide.
• Grade-Based Norms: Comparing a student to others in the same grade nationwide.
• Local Norms: Comparing a student to others within their specific school district.

Below is a sample report, followed by a detailed explanation of each reported score.

Age Scores

Age Scores compare your child to other students across the country who are the same age (in months) at the time of testing.
This is the most accurate way to understand reasoning ability because it accounts for age differences within a grade.

Standard Age Score (SAS)

The SAS shows your child’s overall level of reasoning ability compared to same-age peers nationwide.
The average score is 100. Scores higher or lower than 100 show how far above or below the national average your child’s reasoning skills fall.

Age Stanine (AS)

The Age Stanine places your child into one of nine broad groups, from 1 (lowest) to 9 (highest), based on performance compared to students the same age.
Stanines give a general performance range rather than an exact score.

Age Percentile Rank (APR)

The APR shows the percentage of same-age students nationwide who scored below your child.
For example, an APR of 60 means your child scored higher than 60% of students their age.
This score is converted from the Standard Age Score.

APR Graph

The graph visually displays where your child’s score falls compared to the national age-based group.
It helps parents quickly see whether performance is below average, average, or above average without focusing on numbers alone.

Raw Scores

Raw scores show how your child interacted with the test itself.
These scores are not comparisons and are mainly used to calculate other CogAT scores.

Number of Items

The total number of questions included in that test section.

Number Attempted

The number of questions your child tried to answer.
This can help show if any questions were skipped.

Number Correct

The number of questions your child answered correctly.

Grade Scores

Grade Scores compare your child to other students in the same grade level across the country who took the test at the same time of year.

Grade Percentile Rank (GPR)

The GPR shows how your child performed compared to students in the same grade nationwide.
It represents the percentage of students in that grade who scored lower than your child and is converted from the Standard Age Score.

Grade Stanine (GS)

The Grade Stanine places your child into one of nine performance groups compared to students in the same grade.
This provides a quick, broad comparison within grade level rather than an exact ranking.

Local Scores

Local Scores compare your child to students who participated in the same testing event, such as within the school, district, or system.

Local Percentile Rank (LPR)

The LPR shows the percentage of students in the local testing group who scored lower than your child.
Like other percentile ranks, it is based on the Standard Age Score.

Local Stanine (LS)

The Local Stanine places your child into one of nine groups compared to students in the same local test group.
This helps schools understand how students perform within their own learning environment.

Many schools send home an Individual Profile Narrative Report, which presents scores numerically, visually, and in written narrative form. This report is specifically designed to help families understand how a student learns, not just how they scored.

Most parents notice the Score Profile, which combines a number and a letter, such as 7A, 8B, or 9C. A sample score profile looks like this:

Verbal Strength (V+) 

Children with verbal strengths often show strong comprehension and expressive language. 

Helpful activities include: 

• Reading together and discussing stories 

• Asking open-ended questions 

• Encouraging storytelling and descriptive play 

• Playing word, rhyme, and category games 

Quantitative Strength (Q+) 

Children with quantitative strengths often enjoy logic and patterns. 

Helpful activities include: 

• Pattern blocks, building toys, and logic games 

• Sorting and comparing objects 

• Simple number puzzles 

• Counting and measuring during daily routines 

Nonverbal Strength (N+) 

Children with nonverbal strengths often learn best visually. 

Helpful activities include: 

• Puzzles, tangrams, and drawing activities 

• Building and construction projects 

• Exploring maps and diagrams 

• Shape and pattern matching games 

CogAT Scores Do: 

• Measure reasoning potential 

• Help schools plan instruction 

• Identify students for enrichment 

CogAT Scores Do Not: 

• Measure intelligence 

• Predict life success 

• Define limits 

The CogAT is one data point, not a verdict. 

Score Warnings Parents Should Know 

Too Many Omitted Questions 

Children who work slowly but accurately may have scores that underestimate ability. Schools flag this internally. 

Chance-Level Scores 

Very low scores may reflect fatigue, guessing, or disengagement rather than true ability. These scores are reviewed before interpretation.