CogAT Scores: Understand Test Results
CogAT scoring is based on your child’s age (not grade level). Your child will receive an SAS, or “Standard Age Score.” This score compares your child’s performance to peers of the same age. The highest SAS attainable on the CogAT is 160. In contrast, 100 represents an average score.
Here are all the steps for calculating a child’s unique test score:
- Raw Score. This total comprises the number of correct answers. Incorrect responses do not lead to deductions from the overall raw score.
- Universal Scale Score (USS). After determining the Raw Score, we convert it into a normalized standard score known as the Universal Scale Score. Additionally, separate USS scores exist for each test’s three verbal, nonverbal, and quantitative reasoning skills subsections, referred to as “batteries.” Consequently, we determine the Composite USS by averaging these three different scores. The USS is a normalized standard score that follows a consistent scale from kindergarten through 12th grade for the CogAT. Moreover, after determining a student’s raw score (the total number of questions answered correctly), we convert it to the USS. This conversion involves statistical procedures to ensure that variations do not influence scores in difficulty across different test forms. It’s important to note that USS scores are calculated for each test’s three batteries: verbal, nonverbal, and quantitative reasoning skills. This provides an evaluator with insight into a student’s strengths and weaknesses across different cognitive abilities.
- Standard Age Score (SAS). The Standard Age Score has a maximum possible score of 160; the average score is 100.
- Percentile Rank (PR). School districts use this number to compare students that share the same age and grade level. A percentile rank of 80 means that child’s score was higher than 80% of students who took the same test. The average percentile rank is 50.
- Stanine (S). A stanine is a very broad, simplified score ranging from 1 (lowest) to 9 (highest possible), and it’s normalized for the child’s age and grade level.
Understanding CogAT Scoring
The CogAT scores a student based on their raw score, which represents the total correct answers on the test. Subsequently, they convert this raw score into a scaled score, considering question difficulty, and report it on a scale ranging from 100 to 150. Additionally, scaled scores from the three batteries (verbal, quantitative, nonverbal) combine to form a composite score on the same 100 to 150 scale.
The CogAT is a norm-referenced test. This means scores are compared to those of students of the same age and grade, and percentile rank is used to report scores. It indicates the percentage of students who scored lower than the test-taker. For example, if a student has a percentile rank of 90, it means that they scored better than 90% of students who took the test.
Stanine and Percentile Ranking and Scoring for the CogAT
A range of percentile ranks comprises each stanine. The table below shows the percentile ranks that formulate each stanine and the associated ability level.
| Stanine | Percentile Rank | Description |
| 1 | 1 – 3 | This score is in the lowest 4%, signifying very limited cognitive abilities compared to peers. |
| 2 | 4 – 10 | This score is in the next 7%, still significantly below average and potentially struggling with CogAT cognitive tasks. |
| 3 | 11 – 22 | This score is in the next 12%, indicating below-average cognitive abilities in CogAT testing. |
| 4 | 23 – 39 | This score is in the next 17%, slightly below average but nearing the middle range. |
| 5 | 40 – 59 | This score is in the next 20%, placing students in the middle range with average cognitive abilities compared to peers. |
| 6 | 60 – 76 | This score is in the next 17%, indicating a slight cognitive ability above average in CogAT testing. |
| 7 | 77 – 88 | This score is in the next 12%, signifying above-average cognitive abilities in CogAT testing. |
| 8 | 89 – 95 | This score is in the next 7%, indicating well above-average cognitive abilities in CogAT testing. |
| 9 | 96 – 99 | This score is in the top 4%, signifying very high cognitive abilities compared to peers. |
Remember, they norm-reference these scores and percentiles by comparing an individual student’s performance to a larger sample of students. This method involves comparing a student’s performance to a representative sample. As such, they provide a way of understanding a student’s cognitive abilities relative to other students.
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106 Responses
I just took the test and I must say the TestingMom courses helped me a lot.
My child scored a 9B whiling being slightly younger than other kids. What does this mean?
My son in 2nd Grade got his cogat results.It says below:
Picture Analogies ( 17 correct out of 18)
Number Analogies(17 correct out of 18)
Figure matrices (18 correct out of 18)
Grade stanine – 9
Grade percentile – 99
Am trying to understand is he qualified in both math and english or only one? Need help inyerpreting this report.Thanks!!
Hello TestingMoms,
My son with testingmom help practice questions for about 1 week was able to get stanine 9 . He figured it out but the test help him understand the format. This is a kid who is CTY High Honors in Math and English and the material here is priceless (He studied the cty material in 4 days and was able to understands the format).
CogAT 4th Grade(level 10): Stanine 9, overall score of 155/160 : Composite 99%, Quantitative 99% 51/52, Nonverbal 99%
My child averages to 96 and scores between 96 and 99 in Practice tests on the Testing mom website. Does this scoring in testing Mom is based on the COGAT scoring or it is based on number of questions my child got right
Where do I find the a student’s Learner Profile that explains how students learn? It used to be on the CogAT website. Now all I get is a quick summary of the diiference between 1-9 and different letters.
Is it possible to use Cogat scores from USA in place of CCAT in Canada to get specialized programes or to get addmission in Gifted schools in canada using Cogat scroes (from USA) if my child has scored 97%?
My child’s school in Texas did not provide an ability profile but SAS scores. Non-verbal 132, verbal 120, and quantitative 142. He was transferred to a different district in Texas, but they said that his SAS score for nonverbal (132) was not in the gifted range because they did their average scoring without using the percentile rank charts or the SAS scores as normative scores. My son is now required to retake the gt test and will not receive gt services for an entire year. When I look at his SAS and percentile rank, his non-verbal scores put him above the 95 percentile. How is it possible that he does not qualify for GT based on these scores? We are shocked by this outcome!
what is the suitable CogAT test for children age 9-11
My kid took Cogat this Oct. she is 7 years 8 month old in second grade. what is the percentile of this grade?
Quantitative141
Nonverbal148
Verbal 121
VQN Total 143
I need help for my daughter
My son 6th grade has the below scores and over all 122 FSIQ score. Does he qualify for Fill time AAP for 7th grade?
Verbal Comprehension Index 136 99th Extremely High
Similarities 16 98th
Vocabulary 17 99th
Visual Spatial Index 111 77th High Average
Block Design 11 63rd
Visual Puzzles 13 84th
Fluid Reasoning Index 103 58th Average
Matrix Reasoning 9 37th
Figure Weights 12 75th
Working Memory Index 130 98th Extremely High
Digit Span 17 99th
Picture Span 14 91st
Processing Speed Index 92 30th Average
I am a member, why do I keep getting prompted to become a member
I really like this it is interesting it also allows me to interact with my daughter and know her weaknesses.
I got a 9B (N-) is that a good score to get someone please help me figure this predicament out I’m befuddled.
My son has completed CogAt testing and qualified for Gifted Education services. However the report says that he has a significant weakness in verbal reasoning. What does that mean? He is in first grade.
SAS AS APR
Verbal 118 7 87
Quantitative 142 9 99
Nonverbal 149 9 99
Composite (VQN) 143 9 99
Hello, i come from a time where 20 was an off the chart score, what percentile would that have been in 2013?
Im in highschool now and, I got a 320 score in 4th grade. Whats that score???
What percentile is a score of 124
Hello, my scores, unfortunately, did not qualify for the 6th grade gifted program. 🙁
I took the test in the 5th grade, when I was 11.3.
The scores read:
Nonverbal SAS 113
Quantitative SAS 120
Verbal SAS 131
As well as getting premium test prep, how else could I improve my scores?
My child’s score is 7B (V+) – what does that mean? Thank you.
What does 5A mean
What does Ability Profile 4B(V+) mean?
Thank you
We were only given the total score of 9c for my daughter. Is a 9A, 9B better?
My child is in pre-K and she took the test I’m still a little confused if the bar at the top is her grade or the one at the bottom.
I got this report for my kid .Can you help me to explain this?
Ability Score
District Standard Student Scores
Verbal 80-100 %tile 84%
Quantitative 80-100 %tile 98%
Nonverbal 80-100 %tile 93%
How to find cogat score of my son who attended test in Jan 2021
Hi
I would want to know about the gifted test and the sample test papers for cigar
Thanks
my scores were
verbal- 84
quantative- 81
non-verbal- 96
and im in the fifth grade
did i get in or not
what percentile do you need to get to make it in. do you have to get above a 95 or what.
Hi! this is my first time taking the cogAT test. what’s it about? what do I do?
What is the Iowa test?
my daughter 7 years old she is 2nd grade she got 89 and 8B. Pls help me understand. Is she passed test?
Hi! we just got my son’s CogAT’s scores. His profile is 9A…
Verbal – 98 age percentile rank
Quantitative-97
Non-verbal- 92
Composite (VQN) 98
and yet is not in the gifted and talented program at his school. Just wondering what’s the score that is needed to on G and T?
I got a 9c overall. What percentile is that. Im in 5th grade
What is Cogat I have to take it tomorrow for the first time and I have no absolute clue what it is. BTW i’m in 8th grade
My child’s CogAT test does not show a standard age score. It only has Age stanine and age percentile rank. Is there a way to calculate the standard age score from these values?
I was placed at Vauxhall high because I got 44% in the ability test and I would like to know if that was my correct average
Hi – do you know if I can get the COGAT administered privately in NJ?
can you help explain my son’s cogat scores?
Verbal 128
quantative 115
nonverbal67
composite VQ123
Composite VN 119
Composite QN 112
Composite VQN 119
at the top it states grade 4 level 10?
I know he’s been accepted to GT this next year but would like a clearer understanding of what this test shows, thanks
I am a dad who just got my fourth grader daughter’s CoGAT results. She is in the 99th percentile with a stanine of 9A. While we are stunned and happy for her, she is in tears thinking she may have to change schools. She loves her school and is upset about missing her favorite friends and teachers. We are in Minnesota.
What does ‘cluster classroom’ mean? The letter says that she will be placed in a cluster classroom.
My grandboy profile is 5B. What does that mean good, bad, or needs improvement? I tried to look it up, but I’m tech-illiterate. Thank You for understanding.
What does a 9B(V-) mean on a results sheet. Thank you, Amanda
Hi my daughter is ready for cogat test this February what shall I do ??
My child’s chart does not even have a “Standard Age Score” column. Why is this?
Stanine score 6 and 5 meaning B or C grade.
My daughter show 5A. Could you please explain what is this mean?
my daughter score 6E(v-)
My son is Very High, and Above Average. Profile 7B (N+) Can you explain the details regarding the profile score please, Thank you,
I don’t get please help. My child tested for gifted and talented and I don’t know how to check it out. Please help because I don’t understand what your saying and how to figure out if she got in or if she didn’t.
STANINES————-APR—–GRADE %ILE RANK
Verbal 9————— 99————99
Quantitative 8——— 95————96
Non Verb 7———— 84————86
VQN 9—————– 97————98
??? So where does that leave my daughter?
What is the magic formula used to calculate the USS, SAS, and stanines?
Hello, Hoping you can help. My son just took the COGAT test this year in 1st grade. Can you help explain to me the results.
Composite: scaled score 92 31%
Non-Verbal: scaled score 94 35%
Quantitative: scaled score 81 12%
Verbal: scaled score 102 55%
Thank you. appreciate any feedback
My daughter was tested this spring at her school. They mailed me her results, but I only got her percentiles. They have marked her as High Ability – General Intellectual – Both English Language Arts & Math. So far the school is having her skip 1st grade and will be offering additional services in reading and math. What else should I look into to help challenge her with these scores?
Verbal – 93 percentile
Nonverbal – 96 percentile
Quantitative – 99 percentile
Composite – 99 percentile
What composite score qualifies a student as GATE on the COGAT? Or is it individual scores?
My son has just been accepted into G and T and I am trying to find out what his scores mean.
Primary talent developmental cumulative behavioral scale 63
Cognitive abilities test: verbal/quantitative/nonverbal 95/92/79
Performan ce series reading 73
Performance series math 96
If 100 is average why is he considered G and T if his is 96?
My daughter had no score for the Verbal section and no Composite score, but it shows she attempted all 48 questions of the verbal section. What does that mean?
I have some questions about the age score. My daughter just took the test, and was 7 years 2 months old at the time. How will this impact her age score? I don’t quite understand how exactly they are coming up with a percentile rank.
For example, if she had a 77 percentile grade score, how does that carry over into an age score? The school says they use whatever is higher between the grade score (2nd) and the age score. We get results in a couple of weeks.
our child got 5E (N+) which is pretty much what we already knew.
My kid has a score 4A for the 5 grade, how is the score high or low she is 10 1/2 years old ?
what does it mean when your childs score is unavailable because their birthdate was out of testing range?
Do you take into account personality and interests, likes/dislikes? Ability to communicate with adults and other children? Passions? Empathy? This is the most cookie cutter approach to understanding a child’s intellect that I’ve ever seen.
My child scored 8A. Please help me to interpret that. Thank you.
My daughter’s score is 7C(V+).
May you please help me interpret.
go to cogat.com for interpretation, 9E means that there might be an error or there is an extreme difference between verbal, nonverbal, etc. 9 is the highest achievement level with 9A being the highest possible
My kid has a score of 9E(v-) for the second grade. How is the explaination of the score? High or low? She is 8 years old.
You noted that the highest possible SAS score on the Cogat is 160. How can one explain a child scoring higher than 160?