I’m Worried About My Child Taking the CogAT® Exam

posted by Karen Quinn, The Testing Mom - July 10th, 2012

If you’re a bit concerned about your child’s upcoming CogAT® exam, you’re not alone. Many parents worry that their child won’t perform well. However, there’s no need for concern. The CogAT® exam is designed to determine a student’s cognitive abilities. There are no right or wrong answers. In fact, the CogAT® exam is actually a vital tool when used by schools in determining gifted or talented class placement. A student who may have otherwise gone unnoticed by teachers  can be identified by a high CogAT® score, and subsequently placed in classes which are more suited to his or her abilities. Likewise, a student who has fallen behind their peers can also be identified, and suitable supplemental education can be recommended.

Regardless of the CogAT® exam results, rest assured that the test is in the best interest of your child. If you have a very specific reason to worry, such as a child who is learning English as a second language and may not understand all portions of the CogAT® exam, discuss these concerns with the child’s teacher before the test is administered.