Cognitive Abilities Test Uses

posted by Karen Quinn, The Testing Mom - September 17th, 2011

The Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT), which is commonly used in school districts across the country, is a tool that is used for several purposes. Many parents think of tests like the CogAT as being only for identifying students for advanced learning programs, and while the CogAT exam and CogAT sample test questions are used for this purpose, the uses of the test are not limited to just this one.

The CogAT test also measures student reasoning and problem-solving skills, allowing schools to help identify the degree to which each child has developed these essential skills. This type of assessment is important as it helps schools pick up on any learning difficulties earlier in the child’s education, which in turn lets the school aid the child in reaching full potential. Without test like the CogAT, many students “slip through the cracks” making it all the way through primary school or high school without a learning challenge or disability being caught and the child therefore never receives the assistance necessary to achieve full potential.