Prepping for the CogAT ® test

posted by Karen Quinn, The Testing Mom - August 31st, 2014

The CogAT ® test is a commonly given cognitive test that is often used to measure kids for their suitability for a Gifted and Talented program. Many school districts give the CogAT test early in the year and since the competition among parents is fierce to get their kids into a G&T program, the jockeying begins early to ensure that their kids get a top score on the CogAT test.

The Cognitive Abilities Test™ is most often given to kids from pre-K through the 6th grade. There are two forms of the CogAT Test – the Form 6 is the older version, and the Form 7 is more recent. The Form 7 has been around for a few years and is becoming more and more common. The good news is that you can use practice materials for both the Form 6 and the Form 7 to prepare for either version of the test, as a lot of the questions are applicable to both. Even the practice questions that are only designed for one version of the test will be helpful in preparing for the other version, since they measure many of the same skills.

As with any test, it’s important to begin preparing your child for the CogAT test early on. You don’t want to spend the last few days or even weeks before the test frantically cramming, as it will overwhelm your child and could leave them feeling anxious and unsure of themselves, which is a recipe for disaster in what’s already a high-stakes testing environment. As soon as you find out that your child will be taking the CogAT test, begin getting them familiar with the concepts they’ll need to know for the test. Ease them into the process so that they feel good about their chances.

Cognitive Abilities Test™ (CogAT®) is a registered trademark of Riverside Publishing, a Houghton Mifflin Company, or their affiliate(s), or their licensors. TestingMom.com is not affiliated with nor related to Houghton Mifflin Company or its affiliates (“Houghton Mifflin”). Houghton Mifflin does not sponsor or endorse any TestingMom.com product, nor have TestingMom.com products or services been reviewed, certified, or approved by Houghton Mifflin. Trademarks referring to specific test providers are used by TestingMom.com for nominative purposes only and such trademarks are solely the property of their respective owners.