Cognitive Abilities Test…a Gifted Proving Ground?

posted by Karen Quinn, The Testing Mom - October 29th, 2011

The CogAT is a cognitive abilities test, designed to identify student’s strengths in the three areas of cognitive function most closely linked to academic performance. These areas are verbal, non-verbal, and quantitative reasoning. In many schools, the CogAT is administered to every student to gain perspective. However, some schools use it as a screening tool for admittance to gifted, talented or enrichment programs. In addition, some gifted programs use the CogAT as a sort of “entrance exam,” and others use it once a student has been admitted in order to determine exactly where in the program that student belongs.

Any cognitive abilities test is a wonderful measure of a student’s capabilities. The CogAT is a widely trusted form of cognitive abilities test, which is why it’s used so extensively. In many cases, the CogAT is used in conjunction with the Iowa Basic Skills test in order to gain a truly comprehensive picture of a student’s strengths, weaknesses and abilities.