How to Prepare Your Child for the CogAT Test?

The Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) is one of the top-used gifted students assessments in the United States. Contrary to common belief, the CogAT test is not an IQ test, and can be prepared for. 

Competition for gifted programs is fierce. Boost your child's chances of acceptance with TestPrep-Online's CogAT study packs. Our comprehensive, age-specific packs include practice tests, sample questions, study guides, and detailed explanations. Ensure your child excels on the CogAT test. Start your test prep today!

This page includes free sample questions from each CogAT Level/Grade:
Kindergarten ||| 1st Grade ||| 2nd Grade ||| 3rd Grade ||| 4th Grade ||| 5th Grade ||| 6th Grade 

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What Is the CogAT Test?

The Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) is a multiple-choice test designed to measure a child’s academic aptitude and gifted abilities. It is owned and published by the major educational resources company Houghton Mifflin Company.

The CogAT Form 7, the most common version of the test, measures cognitive development and problem-solving skills. The test is made up of three sections, called batteries. They each have subtests that contain 10-25 questions each.

Verbal Battery Quantitative Battery Non-Verbal Battery
Picture Analogies Number Analogies Figure Matrices
Sentence Completion Number Puzzles Paper Folding
Picture Classification Number Series Figure Classification

CogAT Test (Form 7) Levels

The Cognitive abilities test is administered to students in grades K-12. There are ten CogAT levels. The number attributed to each level corresponds to the age level it is administered to. For example, the Level 9 is designed for students who are approximately 9 years old and is generally administered to students in the 3rd grade. The testing levels for the Cognitive abilities Test and the grade they are usually administered to are as follows:​

Level 

5-6 

10 

11 

12 

13-14 

15-16 

17-18 

Grade 

K 

1st 

2nd 

3rd 

4th 

5th 

6th 

7th-8th 

9th-10th 

11th-12th 

*The age or grade of your child taking the test might vary. Some schools opt to give students a test with grade level higher or lower than the one they are. Make sure to contact your child's school to know exactly what CogAT Test to prepare for.

Interested in homeschooling your child? Learn everything you need to know about homeschooling.


CogAT Test Sample Questions

Grade Level 5-6, CogAT Kindergarten: Picture Classification

Look at the following pictures:

Picture Classification

Which picture from the answer choices belongs with the ones above?

Wrong

Wrong

Correct!

Wrong

View Explanation

The correct answer is Image C.

Look at the top row. All the items in the top row can cut. The correct answer should be a similar item. The hammer and the wrench cannot be used for cutting, so they are not correct answers. We are left with the bread knife as the best possible answer. Therefore, it is the correct choice.

TestPrep-Online Developer's Tip:

Think of a rule that describes the similarities among the pictures in the top row. If you find it difficult to think of a rule, go over the answer choices to see if there is a figure among them with special features. For example, you might find out that only one answer choice is colored in a certain way.

More Free CogAT Levels 5-6 Practice Questions

Grade Level 7, CogAT Test 1st Grade: Figure Classification

Look at the following pictures:

Picture Classification

Which shape from the answer choices belongs with the ones above?

Correct!

Wrong

Wrong

Wrong

View Explanation

The correct answer is Image A.

In this question, all three figures include an inner and outer shape that look the same, while the outer shape is blue and the inner shape is white. In answer choice B the outer and inner shapes are different from each other, so it can be eliminated.

In answer choice C the outer shape is white and the inner shape is blue, so we can eliminate it as well.

The only answer choice that follows the rules is the 1st choice. Therefore, the 1st choice is the correct answer.

More Free CogAT Level 7 Practice Questions

Grade Level 8, CogAT Test 2nd Grade: Paper Folding

This piece of paper is being folded and then punched with holes.

Paper folding problem

Choose the answer choice that depicts the paper after it is unfolded.

Wrong

Correct!

Wrong

Wrong

View Explanation

The correct answer is Image B.

First, the paper is folded in half to make a triangle. Then, a heart is cut out of the folded paper. Consequently, there will be two heart cut-outs when the paper is unfolded again. This eliminates answer choices C and D. Also, the second heart must be rotated 90° clockwise and flipped vertically since the paper was folded along the diagonal. This further eliminates answer choice A.

We are left with answer choice B as the correct answer.

 More Free CogAT Level 8 Sample Questions

Grade Level 9, CogAT Test Grade 3: Verbal Analogies

Peach → fruit : lily →

The first pair of words are related in a certain way. Choose the word that completes a second pair of words so that they are related in the same way.

Correct!

Wrong

Wrong

Wrong

View Explanation

The correct answer is: flower.

A peach is a type of fruit like a lily is a type of flower.

TestPrep-Online Developer's Tip:

A good strategy for analogy questions is to start by making up a short, simple sentence to connect the two words in the first analogy. For example: “A parody is satirical.” Then, you can substitute in the words from the second analogy to help you eliminate answer choices. 

More Free CogAT Level 9 Sample Questions

Grade Level 10, CogAT Test Grade 4: Figure Matrices

The pictures in the boxes on the top are connected in a certain way.

figure Matrices

Choose the picture that belongs with the bottom picture in the same way the pictures on top are connected.

Wrong

Wrong

Wrong

Correct!

View Explanation

The correct answer is Image D.

The images in the top row are equivalent, but with a few changes: In the top row, from left to right, the figure rotates 180 degrees, and the arrow and circle swap colors.

In the bottom row we should have the same relationship, meaning that the image should remain the same on the right as it is on the left, only with the same types of differences between the images in the top row. In the left frame, the arrow is behind the circle.

We can eliminate Image C because it has the arrow in front of the circle.

We can eliminate Image A because the arrow did not rotate as we know it needs to, and Image B can be eliminated because the shapes did not swap colors as they must.

In Image D, the same changes occur as in the top row: the image rotates 180 degrees, and the arrow and the circle swap colors. Therefore, it is the correct answer.

TestPrep-Online Developer's Tip:

You can view the relationship between the two images in the same row as how the shapes change. Any change that occurs from the left matrix to the right one on top will need to occur in the equivalent manner from the left to the right on bottom.

 

 

More Free CogAT Level 10 Sample Questions

Grade Level 11, Cogat Test Grade 5: Number Series

What number comes next in the series?

50, 54, 41, 45, 32, ?

Wrong

Wrong

Wrong

Correct!

View Explanation

The correct answer is 36.

In this series, the pattern is as follows: first 4 is added, then 13 is subtracted, then 4 is added, then 13 is subtracted, and so on. The pattern is: +4-13+4-13...

The last two numbers in this series are 45 and 32. 32 is smaller than 45 by 13, so the next number in the series should be bigger than 32 by 4. 32+4=36. Alternatively, we can look at the pattern as the combination of two separate patterns that alternate. One pattern (the odd terms) is a series of numbers that decrease by 9, and the other pattern (the even terms) is another series that decreases by 9. The pattern is: 50 54 41 45 32 ...

We are missing the sixth number which is an even term, therefore it should be smaller than the last even term (the fourth number) by 9. The fourth number is 45, so: 45-9=36. Therefore, 36 is the correct answer.

TestPrep-Online Developer's Tip:

Start by thinking of a rule that describes the pattern in the set of numbers and try to express it in words. For example, "each number is bigger by 1 than the number before it." If a simple rule does not work, check out more complicated patterns. For example, the pattern can include addition and subtraction alternately.

More Free CogAT Level 11 Sample Questions

Grade Level 12, CogAT Test Grade 6: Verbal Analogies

This piece of paper is being folded and then punched with holes.

parody is to satirical as beverage is to...

Wrong

Wrong

Correct!

Wrong

View Explanation

The correct answer is liquid.

The main characteristic of a parody is that it is satirical like the main characteristic of a beverage is that it is liquid.

Drink is incorrect as it is not a characteristic of a beverage. Rather, it is correct to say that a beverage is a type of drink.

Thirsty is incorrect as it is not a characteristic of a beverage. Rather, it describes the feeling of needing to drink.

Hot is incorrect, as being hot is not the main characteristic of a beverage, as it can be cold as well.

More Free CogAT Level 12 Sample Questions


CogAT (Form 7) Batteries

Verbal

  • Picture/Verbal Analogies: Identify corresponding relationships between pairs of items or concepts (represented either with images or words, depending on the age of the student).
  • Sentence Completion: Complete sentences after either hearing or reading them. 
  • Picture/Verbal Classification: Classify given items or concepts based on their relationship to one another(represented either with images or words, depending on the age of the student), by selecting the item that fits with the rest of them. 

Learn more about the Verbal Battery! 

Quantitative

  • Number Analogies: Identify corresponding relationships between pairs of mathematical concepts or values represented with numbers, expressions, or images.
  • Number Series: Complete a series of numbers (or images representing numbers for younger ages) by deducing the underlying pattern. 
  • Number Puzzles: Solve a given problem using logic and mathematic operations; younger students will be given images that represent numbers and operartions, and older students will solve for an unknown variable.

Learn more about the Quantitative Battery!

 

Nonverbal

  • Figure Classification: Find a common denominator between a series of shapes, then select the shape that fits with them based on this classification.
  • Figure Matrices: In a 2X2 matrix, identify the changes from thetop left square to the top right one, and apply the same changes to the bottom left square in order to determine what should appear in the bottom right one. 
  • Paper Folding: Determine the end result upon unfolding a hole-punched paper in a specific way. 

     Learn more about the NonVerbal Battery!


CogAT (Cognitive Abilities) Scores and Norms

The CogAT uses two types of norms when tests are scored: age norms and grade norms.

Age norms compare how a student performed relative to other children of the same age. These norms span from 4 years and 11 months through 18 years. Students are grouped in one month intervals.

Grade norms compare how a student performed relative to other children in the same grade.

CogAT scores are calculated in these steps:
  • First, the raw score is calculated by tallying the total number of questions answered correctly.
  • Raw scores are then converted to Universal Scale Scores (USS) for each of the three batteries, which is then used to calculate the Standard Age Score (SAS), percentile rank, and stanine score.
  • Using these scores, along with an analysis of the patterns present in a student's score, a student is given a score profile. 

Learn more about CogAT scoring.


CogAT Form 7 Language Adjustments

The CogAT Form 7 is accessible to non-English speaking students due to its highly nonverbal format. The main reason for the changes between the Form 6 and Form 7 primary levels was to accommodate English language learner (ELL) students. The Form 7 primary levels (5/6-8) are now made up almost entirely of nonverbal questions.

The only section that requires language skills is the optional Sentence Completion section, which is available in both English and Spanish. Instructions for all levels are offered in English or Spanish.


How is the CogAT Administered?

Administration time may vary depending on how long the proctor takes to administer the test. Students are generally provided between 30-45 minutes per battery. With administration time, it takes between two to three hours to complete all three batteries. In total, the Test has between 118 and 176 questions, depending on the level.

How the test is administered depends on your child's grade, school, and the CogAT Form s/he is taking. Here is what we do know about the CogAT administration:

  • Your child is likely to take the test with a small group of gifted students (no more than 20)
  • Batteries are often administered together
  • Some schools only administer specific batteries of the CogAT, so it is important to find out exactly what CogAT batteries your child will be taking.
  • The CogAT Test can either be taken online or on paper.

Other CogAT Test Forms

CogAT Screening Form Test

The CogAT Screening Form is a condensed version of the Test, consisting of the analogies section of every battery. The test allows for an efficient appraisal of a student's skills, as it only takes 30 minutes to complete. It is perfect for both students whose mother tongue is not English, as well as students who have reading difficulties. Learn more about the CogAT Screening Form.

CogAT Form 8

The Form 8 is used alongside the Form 7 to make sure the student is assessed as fairly as possible. It’s important to stress that the Form 8 is identical to the Form 7 in both format and topics, so that by preparing for the CogAT Form 7, you are preparing for the Form 8 as well. Learn more about the CogAT Form 8.

CogAT Form 6

This is the Form 7's predecessor, and may still be administered at certain schools. It is important to know the difference between these two versions of the test and which one your child will be taking. 

One main difference between the Form 6 and Form 7 is the number of questions on each test. The following table illustrates the changes in the number of questions on each level og the forms.

 5/678910-18 
CogAT 6 120132144190190 
CogAT 7  118136154170176'

The testing levels on the Form 7 differ from how the testing levels on the Form 6 and other previous editions were divided. Similar to the current levels system, levels of the Form 6 do not match up strictly to a grade level. Levels K–2 are designed for students in kindergarten through second grade, while Levels A–H are designed for students in grades 3–12. However, a high achieving second grader may take the Level A, while a low achieving third grade student may take the Level 2. This fluid system allows for a more specific and focused testing for each student. 

The format also changed between forms. In Form 6, the format for the primary levels (K–2) was different from higher levels. On the Form 7, the format is mostly the same across all levels. See the table below for a breakdown of the batteries and sub-tests at each level. 

Form 6 Batteries (Primary Levels)

BatterySubtests
VerbalOral Vocabulary
Verbal Reasoning
QuantitativeRelational Concepts
Quantitative Concepts
NonverbalMatrices
Figure Classification

Primary levels are levels K-2 on the Form 6, corresponding to levels 5/6-8 on the Form 7.


FAQ's

It's important to note that what is considered a "good" CogAT score can vary depending on several factors, including the specific grade level or age group, and the context in which the scores are being interpreted.

Generally speaking, a score that is in the 90th percentile or above is considered ''good'' but each School and educational institutions often have their own criteria for interpreting CogAT scores.

 


Typically, the CogAT has a total of 118-176 questions spread across the three batteries. However, the number of questions per battery and the total number can differ based on the grade level or age group being tested.

In the CogAT Form 7, the questions are split between batteries in this manner:

  • Verbal Battery: Approximately 50-55 questions
  • Quantitative Battery: Approximately 40-45 questions
  • Nonverbal Battery: Approximately 28-31 questions

In the CogAT Form 8:

  • Verbal Battery: Approximately 56-60 questions.
  • Quantitative Battery: Approximately 48-52 questions.
  • Nonverbal Battery: Approximately 42-46 questions. 

The CogAT assesses cognitive strengths and weaknesses to identify students' individual learning needs.

It helps with identifying gifted students, making placement decisions, and tailoring instruction. The test provides valuable insights for academic planning and interventions.


The CogAT and IQ tests assess cognitive abilities but in different ways. The CogAT measures specific cognitive domains, while IQ tests provide an overall measure of general intelligence.

They serve different purposes despite some overlap in the cognitive abilities assessed.


The Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) is typically given in schools either annually, during specific grades (like 2nd, 5th, or 8th grade), for assessing students for gifted programs, or upon special request. The exact timing can vary by school district, so it's best to check with your local school for their specific schedule.


In Canada or the UK? Check out our information on the CCAT & CAT4!