CogAT Form 6

posted by Karen Quinn, The Testing Mom - August 7th, 2013

There are several version of the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) currently used by schools throughout the nation as IQ assessment tests. The CogAT form 6 is just one of the versions of the Cognitive Abilities Test that is currently used. The CogAT form 6 is usually given to children between the ages of five and eight in order to determine their rational thinking skills and assess their overall intelligence. It is often among the tests that public and private schools use to determine which students should be given a place among gifted and talented program students.

The CogAT form 6 is broken into three primary sections, covering quantitative, verbal and non-verbal reasoning skills. Each of the main sections also contains subsections – three in each – meaning the exam has nine total sections.  The subtests of the quantitative section are quantitative relations, number series, and equation building. The subtests of the verbal section are verbal classification, sentence completion and verbal analogies. The subtests of the non-verbal section are figure classification, figural analogies, and figure analysis.

The  CogAT form 6 is a test that uses images, graphs, and graphics to present questions. This allows students to demonstrate their intelligence and their rational thinking abilities even when they have limited language skills. This makes the CogAT a relatively unbiased IQ assessment test that students of varying backgrounds can perform equally well on.

The best way to prepare your child for this test is to have them complete practice questions. Start on questions in the grade level below the one they are currently in. Then as they gain confidence in their skills, have them move onto questions appropriate for their current grade level. Once they have mastered those questions, have them move on to questions for the grade above them. This will ensure that they will be properly prepared for the CogAT test.