About the COGAT® ​​

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What is the COGAT® ?
  • ​COGAT® is an acronym for the Cognitive Abilities Test®.
  • It is commonly used to screen for gifted/selective programs and gifted/selective schools.
  • It measures cognitive (reasoning skills).
  • ​It is a multiple-choice assessment. 

​How Difficult is the COGAT®?
  • For many children, the COGAT® is challenging.
  • The test has questions different than those used in regular classroom settings.

​How Best to Prepare the COGAT®?
  • Introduce your child to the types of questions they'll see on test day (COGAT® Practice Questions).
  • Practice focusing on COGAT® Practice Questions (as many children have short attention spans).
  • Click here for 25 Free COGAT® Practice Questions
​What Kind of Questions Will My Child Answer? 
  • There are 3 sections (each called a "Battery").
  • Each "Battery" has 3 Question Types (below):       
Want to learn more about these question types? 
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Which COGAT®  Level Will My Child Take?
  • It is usually the same grade level as (s)he is in when (s)he takes the test.
  • Verify this with your school.
  • Sometimes a higher level will be administered. 
​
How Long is the COGAT®?
  • The full test is usually spread over a few days.
  • COGAT®  format by grade level:
Grade
COGAT® ​ Level
Test Time
Total Questions
K
5/6
112 minutes
118
1st
7
112 minutes
136
2nd
8
122 minutes
154
3rd
9
90 minutes
170
4th
10
90 minutes
176
5th
11
90 minutes
176
6th
12
90 minutes
176
7th/8th
13/14
90 minutes
176
9th/10th
15/16
90 minutes
176
11th/12th
17/18
90 minutes
176
How is the COGAT® Administered?
  • ​There are two versions: paper/pencil -or- computer.
  • It may be given individually or to a group of students.
  • It's given by a teacher or other education professional.
  • Verify your school's specific procedures.

What COGAT® Score does my child need to be accepted? 
  • ​G&T/selective schools usually only accept scores of at least 95%.​ ​
  • ​You must verify score requirements with your school.
  • ​Scores could be the sole factor for admission  or part of a "portfolio" (IQ tests administered by psychologists, grades, teacher recommendations, etc.). ​

Scores are based on:
  • Number of questions your child correctly answered
    •                Broken down by COGAT® Battery (Verbal, Non-Verbal, Quantitative)
    •                “Composite” Score = Overall Score (combines 3 Batteries)
  • Your child’s age
    •                 Sometimes child’s grade and school considered
“Age Stanine” compares your child to others of same age
  • Scored 1 to 9, where 9 is the highest
  • “Percentile Rank” compares your child to others of same age
  • Example: if your child scores 99%, then (s)he scored as well as or better than 99% of other test-takers in the same age group ​

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