The┬аCognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) is a norm-referenced test with multiple choice questions designed to measure a childтАЩs academic aptitude, gifted and problem-solving skills.┬аNorm-referenced tests are made to compare test takers to a large group of others at the same┬аage.┬аIt is used to evaluate the development of each student compared to their peers and often for entry into gifted and talented programs. The CogAT is about cognitive skills such as problem-solving and reasoning ability, rather than academic knowledge or intellectual ability.
It is made up of three main sections called batteries:
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The test is typically administered at school either on the computer or with pen and pencil. Expand the section below to learn and get yourself familiar with each part of the test.
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CogAT has a bit of complex scoring model and it is critical to understand the various components of the score card. Here is the general definition and interpretation of each term on the score card.
Represents the total no.of correct answers on each "battery" or "segment".
Has a maximum possible score of 160 with an average of 100.
A very broad, simplified score ranging from 1 (lowest) to 9 (highest possible).
Number to compare students that share the same age and grade level.
Standardized Score computed separately across all 3 batteries.
Scoring high on CogAT boosts your child’s sucess in getting admitted to the top rated gifted and talented programs. Children are gifted in so many ways and they have amazing talents which they exhibit from a very young age. It is up to the parents and teachers to identify those gifts and nurture them in the right direction.
One of the standard assessments of the giftedness is by undertaking CogAT exam. The Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) is one of the top-used tests to evaluate giftedness in the United States. Competition for gifted programs is always fierce.┬а
Competition for gifted programs is always fierce.┬аWhile Parent’s can do their best to have their children prepare for the test, professional guidance is the right way to increase their chances and to bring the best of them. This is not to say that Parents don’t have a role to play. Professional Instructors and Parents always have to partner when it comes to competitiveness of a child, and one cannot do without the other.┬аProfessional guidance will boost your child’s confidence and opportunity to ensure your child excels on the CogAT test.┬а
Big Brainbox CogAT test prep program in Frisco, Texas provides individualized pace and progression, helps students overcome learning obstacles, reinforces and reviews key concepts, builds confidence in test preparation and offers support for advanced learners in a hands-on and engaging way. Start your test prep today!
There are┬аmany ways to prepare for a competitive exam. Some are proven to be more successful than others. Here are some of the most popular ways to prepare for the exam. Read the below to familiarize yourself with the many ways to approach the exam:
Generally, students and parents start with this approach. The approach works for children who are very well disciplined, interested and focused to achieve top score in the exam. Also, this approach is well suited for children who are much older typically in 7th grade.
Some schools offer various degrees of support in assisting students in preparing for CogAT. If you are in a school which directly offers this support, you may want to consider it. Please make sure to ask necessary questions including asking for the qualifications of the teachers who are providing the instructions to the students.
Although less preferred, parental coaching is one of the ways to train the student for CogAT. Typically, this setting involves one of the parents to be heavily engaged in the curriculum of the test, identifying the best learning method for your child, setting aside a specific time of the day to follow a disciplined routine and following the instructional material while also assessing the progress along the way.
Finding a tutor that is knowledgeable is great, but finding one that is personable,┬аconnects with the student, and committed to the student’s success are all signs of a truly top-notch tutor!
We help to identify your childтАЩs strengths, challenges, and goals, communicate clearly and personably to create a plan that will help your child build both their self-confidence and skill set!┬а
Engaging in games, quizzes, and experiments related to reading, math, and science are fun ways to learn. When children are taught the format of the CogAT exam in an easy, interactive and engaging way to understand, they feel a lot more comfortable and prepared for the test
Students learn in various styles with some students leaning towards Visual with some Auditory and other methods.
At Big Brainbox, we identify the style of learning for your child that best helps them to prepare for the exam.
Depending on the style of learning for the student, teachers propose a test preparation path for the student with set goals for the each of the sections.
The plan is then discussed and reviewed with the parents to ensure everyone is on the same page.
Once Learning Style and CogAT Test Preparation Plan is set in place, teacher and the staff will provide ongoing guidance to the student and measures the progress regularly.
If needed, CogAT test preparation path will be amended as needed during the duration of the test preparation course.
Practice tests and questions, coupled with hands-on applications are a perfect way to work on CogAT preparation, especially if you focus on the areas of relative weakness.
Mock tests or assessment tests as someone may call them are essential to understand the strengths and areas of improvements of the students.
At Big Brainbox, our qualified teachers will conduct the initial assessment to establish baseline and regularly schedule mock exams for the students for continuous measurement.
With every mock exam, students improve on the areas which they were given to focus on. This makes steady progress on the each of the batteries for CogAT including Verbal, Quantitative and Non-Verbal.
If additional sessions are needed, the teachers work with the students to setup time for additional training session as needed.

Tailored coaching and guidance can benefit students in a multitude of ways, depending on your studentтАЩs individual needs.
Some of the top benefits include:

Individualized instruction is the biggest sign that youтАЩve found a good CogAT test prep tutor!
Our expert tutors are equipped with the certifications required to tailor the sessions to specifically address the needs of both neurotypical and neurodivergent students.

Finding a tutor that is knowledgeable is great, but finding one that is personable, connects with the student, and committed to the student's success are all signs of a top-notch tutor!
We help to identify your childтАЩs strengths, challenges, and goals, communicate clearly and personably to create a plan that will help your child build both their self-confidence and skill set!
As an Applied Learning Center, we take the CogAT concepts that the student is learning and apply them in a hands-on and interactive way that increases overall comprehension.
Tailoring our CogAT preperation practices to meet interests and inspire the creativity of our students works to enhance their educational engagement and problem-solving skills.
CogAT assess the way in which a student processes information. Our methods increase student curiosity and their drive to further explore educational concepts.
What makes this CogAT program stand out is its focus on creating an engaging, meaningful learning experience, way beyond traditional tutoring.
The lessons explain how CogAT concepts work in real life, which leads to the question of why itтАЩs important to learn and understand such concepts.
Experiments, projects, and practical work contribute to effective knowledge acquisition and retention as they promote more profound learning.
Our teachers are experts in dealing with children, helping them with their unique needs, and making the learning environment friendly, positive and enjoyable. Our teachers are certified in Special Education.
Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) technologies make learning very realistic and practical. Students can see things taking a physical form as they learn about them.
Each CogAT lesson taught is connected with a real-world application that enhances the student's comprehension and expands their problem-solving techniques.
“Turning CogAT Test Preparation into an Adventure!”
Fun-based learning is the most effective way to train children. Games such as quizzes, scavenger hunts, puzzle solving, treasure hunt to find hidden numbers and other interactive comprehensives and explorations make every topic a fun ride. Can you picture it? Solving puzzles to learn math or playing trivia to learn science?
Anna M., Parent
Lucas D., Student, Age 14
The CogAT assesses cognitive strengths and weaknesses to identify students’ individual learning needs.
It helps with identifying gifted students, making placement decisions, and tailoring instruction. The test provides valuable insights for academic planning and interventions.
Participation from new kids is well encouraged and the program begins with the basic skills to help the new learners.┬а