Cognitive Abilities Test and Activities

Identification Assesments

The Cognitive Abilities Test or CogAT is a nationally standardized, norm-referenced test. In Los Fresnos CISD, the CogAT Screener is administered by counselors in an online format. The questions are all multiple choice. The CogAT is one of the most trusted and widely used ability tests in the US and is reliable and valid for the use in identifying academically talented students. CogAT captures important information not represented in report cards or other measures of school achievement. Tests in Kinder - 2nd grade, do not require any reading and is entirely pictorial. The CogAT is fair to English learners and other students who exhibit cultural or language diversity.

The CogAT measures reasoning and problem-solving skills in three different areas: Verbal (Picture Analogies), Quantitative (Number Analogies), and Nonverbal (Figure Matricies). Reasoning skills develop gradually throughout a person’s lifetime and at different rates for different individuals.

The CogAT does not measure such factors as effort, attention, motivation, and work habits, which also contribute importantly to school achievement. The CogAT measures both general and specific cognitive abilities. The general reasoning abilities measured by the test show the cognitive process and strategies that help a student learn new tasks or solve problems.

Los Fresnos CISD utilizes these tests as part of the identification process of gifted and talented students.

The following documents are Kindergarten teacher guides that are used during the administration of the CogAT. The instructions for each test are found in each document.

The following documents are Kindergarten CogAT practice guides from the test publishing company. Use of the documents may be supplemented with instructions from the teacher guidance documents.

The following documents are First grade teacher guides that are used during the administration of the CogAT. The instructions for each test are found in each document.

The following documents are 2nd - 5th grade CogAT practice guides from the test publishing company. Use of the documents may be supplemented with instructions.

Grade 2

Grade 3

Grade 4

Grade 5

Additional Websites and Links:

CogAT is trademarked and is registered with its respective publisher. Below are some sites that provide additional resources not affiliated with the testing company or Los Fresnos CISD.

Neither Los Fresnos CISD, Office of Advanced Academics, or CogAT sponsor or endorse any of the products, nor have the products or services been reviewed, certified or approved by the CogAT or Los Fresnos CISD.

http://www.mercerpublishing.com/cogat/

https://www.testingmom.com/tests/cogat-test/

HMH Websites affiliated with CogAT:

https://www.hmhco.com/programs/cogat/overview

TX State Plan (TEA, 2019)