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FAQ About The CogAT

The CogAT is a standardized, multiple choice test that measures reasoning and problem-solving abilities in verbal, quantitative, and nonverbal areas. It does not measure factors like effort or motivation. The test provides raw scores, standard age scores, percentile ranks, and stanine scores to compare a student's cognitive development to peers. While similar to IQ tests in some ways, the CogAT specifically measures developed reasoning abilities rather than innate aptitude. Parents receive a copy of their student's scores and a narrative profile with the results.

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161 views2 pages

FAQ About The CogAT

The CogAT is a standardized, multiple choice test that measures reasoning and problem-solving abilities in verbal, quantitative, and nonverbal areas. It does not measure factors like effort or motivation. The test provides raw scores, standard age scores, percentile ranks, and stanine scores to compare a student's cognitive development to peers. While similar to IQ tests in some ways, the CogAT specifically measures developed reasoning abilities rather than innate aptitude. Parents receive a copy of their student's scores and a narrative profile with the results.

Uploaded by

sthoutir
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THE COGAT

What type of test is the CogAT?


The Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) is a nationally standardized, norm-referenced
test. In our district, the CogAT is administered on a computer, with the exception of
the 2nd grade Screener which is a pencil & paper fill-in-the-bubble format. Questions
are all multiple choice. On the computerized version, directions are read to the
student through headphones and there is only one question per screen.

Are there practice questions?


Yes. All versions of the test provide sample questions for every subtest in every
section so students are familiar with the types of questions that will be asked and
with the format of the test. These sample questions are given immediately before the
test is administered.

What does the CogAT measure?


The CogAT measures reasoning and problem-solving skills in three different areas:
Verbal, Quantitative, and Nonverbal. Reasoning skills develop gradually throughout
a person’s lifetime and at different rates for different individuals. The CogAT does
not measure such factors as effort, attention, motivation, and work habits, which also
contribute importantly to school achievement. The CogAT measures both general
and specific cognitive abilities. The general reasoning abilities measured by the test
show the cognitive process and strategies that help a student learn new tasks or
solve problems.

Is the CogAT a measure of achievement?


No. It is a measure of reasoning ability in specific aptitude areas.

How do the three sections of the CogAT differ?

 The Verbal Battery measures flexibility, fluency, and adaptability in reasoning


with verbal materials and in solving verbal problems. These reasoning abilities
play an important role in reading comprehension, critical thinking, writing, and
virtually all verbal learning tasks.
 The Quantitative Battery measures quantitative reasoning skills; flexibility
and fluency in working with quantitative symbols and concepts; and the ability
to organize, structure, and give meaning to an unordered set of numerals and
mathematical symbols. These reasoning skills are significantly related to
problem solving in mathematics and other disciplines.
 The Nonverbal Battery measures reasoning using geometric shapes and
figures. To perform successfully, students must invent strategies for solving
novel problems. They must be flexible in using these strategies and accurate
in implementing them.

What type of results does the CogAT provide?


The CogAT provides Raw scores, Standard Age and/or Grade scores, Percentile Rank
scores and Stanine scores.
What are the Raw Scores?
The raw scores are simply the number of questions asked in a particular section, the
number of questions the student answered, and the number of questions the student
answered correctly.

What is the Standard Age Score (SAS)?


The standard age score is a number that allows the teacher to compare the rate and
level of a student’s cognitive development with other students the same age. It has
a mean of 100, so if a student has a SAS of 100 s/he is typical of students for her/his
age. If a student has a SAS of 125, that student has a higher and faster rate of
learning than most students her/his age. The highest SAS a child can receive on the
CogAT is 150.

Is the SAS the same as an IQ score?


No. The CogAT measures a student’s reasoning ability developed through experiences
within and outside of school. This reasoning ability begins to develop soon after birth
and continues through early adulthood. IQ tests measure what is generally
considered to be a person’s innate ability or aptitude.

What does the Percentile Rank score mean?


A percentile rank indicates the percentage of students in the same age or grade group
whose scores fall below the score obtained by a particular student. For example, if
a 5th grade student receives a Grade Percentile Rank of 90 on the Quantitative
Battery, it means that 90% of the 5th grade students in the norming sample received
scores lower than the one received by the student.

What is a stanine score?


The stanine score is a normalized standard score ranging from 1-9 and are closely
correlated to percentile rankings. Stanines are grouped as follows:

Stanine 9: Very High


Stanines 7-8: Above Average
Stanines 4-6: Average
Stanines 2-3: Below Average
Stanine 1: Very Low

Do parents receive a copy of their student’s CogAT scores?


Yes. After all data is collected and the selection process is complete, parents will be
mailed a results letter and a copy of their student’s CogAT Student Profile Narrative.
The Profile lists all scores that the CogAT provides as well as instructional strategies
for helping a student build on her or his strengths and improve areas of challenge.

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