Please view this PowerPoint for more information about the Cognitive Abilities Test.
CogAT Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the correlation between CogAT and IQ testing results?
The CogAT is not a tool for measuring a student’s intelligence or IQ. Rather, it measures the reasoning skills that have developed during a student’s educational career, even though they have not been explicitly taught. These general cognitive skills are not specific to any content area, but are skills that are used in all areas of a student’s academic experiences.
2. My student qualified for Math, but he/she is a really good reader. Why hasn’t he/she be identified in that area, too? (or vice versa)
For gifted programs, teachers consider a body of evidence that includes ability, achievement, behavior characteristics and demonstrated performance. For more information about gifted identification, visit the PSD Gifted and Talented Website.
4. Why do students take CogAT in 2nd Grade?
PSD chooses to screen all 2nd grade students with the Cognitive Abilities Test in 2nd grade. The 2nd grade test is highly visual, does not have a time limit, is read aloud by the teacher, and does not require students to transfer answers to a separate answer docuement (students can write in the test booklet). Testing in the spring of 2nd grade also allows for fall identification at the start of 3rd grade.For primary grades, gifted identification is based on referrals.
5. What does CogAT stand for? What does CogAT measure?
CogAT stands for Cognitive Abilities Test. You can learn more about the CogAT on our PSD Gifted and Talented Website.
You can also find more information about the CogAT at www.cogat.com.
6. How are these scores used?
The CogAT is often used for identification for gifted services; however, the information from your child’s CogAT can be helpful to both teachers and parents. For gifted identification, the CogAT represents only one assessment in the body of evidence (in the area of intellectual aptitude/ability). When you receive your child’s scores, you will have a “profile.” Visit www.cogat.com and input the profile in the “interactive profile system” to get more information about your child’s learning style and abilities.
7. How often will my student take this test?
The CogAT is only given once, as a screener, in 2nd grade to all students. If a student enters PSD after 2nd grade and has one indicator for gifted identification, then the CogAT is administered.
For more information about Gifted Identification:
ou can also visit the PSD Gifted and Talented Website for more information about gifted identification in Poudre School District.