Cognitive Abilities Test
McKinney ISD
Scott Dittner
Scott.dittner@hmhco.com
What is CogAT?
Test of Cognitive Ability
Norm-based test of aptitude in problem solving
specific to three areas:
• Verbal
• Quantitative
• Nonverbal
What is CogAT?
CogAT
IQ
Scores fall in a bell curve
Scores fall in a bell curve
The mean score within
each age group is 100
The mean score within
each age group is 100
Measures developed
reasoning abilities
Measures the intelligence
quotient
Measures learned abilities Measures innate abilities
that develop over a
that tend to stay the same
lifetime
over a lifetime
Reasoning
Success in school depends on:
– Academic knowledge and skills in the domains of
study
– The ability to reason well in the symbol systems used
to communicate new knowledge
Reasoning abilities are important because:
– They are at the core of human cognitive abilities
– They are the best predictors of success in school
– They routinely interact with instructional methods
CogAT Interpretive Guide for Teachers and Counselors
What is CogAT?
Measures learned reasoning abilities in
areas most linked to academic success in
school program
What CogAT is Not!
– CogAT is not an IQ test
– CogAT is not an achievement test
Reasoning is the most central
cognitive ability.
You can develop reasoning abilities
through challenging instruction.
CogAT Interpretive Guide for Teachers and Counselors
Four friends decided to meet each
other at the park. Kate walked ¼
mile. Terry walked 1 ¾ miles.
Denny walked ¼ mile. Sondra
walked 1 ¾ miles. What is the
best estimate of the total
miles they walked?
A 2
B 4
C 8
D 10
How to Read a CogAT Profile
Stanine Numbers
Patterns
1:
2-3:
4-6:
7-8:
9:
A: All scores are roughly at the sAme level
Low
Below Average
Average
Above Average
High
B: One score is aBove or Below the others
C: Two scores show a relative strength and
weakness or Contrast
E: One score is Extremely different from
the others (24 or more)
V (- or +) Strength or Weakness in Verbal Score
N (- or +) Strength or Weakness in NonVerbal Score
Q (- or +) Strength or Weakness in Quantitative Score
Relationship of Stanines, Percentile Ranks, and Standard
Age Scores on the CogAT Bell Curve
Average
Below Average
Very Low
Above Average
Very High
11
CogAT in the Classroom
• CogAT measures learned, not innate abilities
• CogAT data is meant to be used to give teachers
information on how to teach a student
• Compare CogAT to
Norm-References and STAAR to identify
discrepancies between ability and achievement
• Look at historical data available for a student to
guide decision making
• Look for consistent performance over time and
across assessments
Goal for Prior Year Level III Students
ALL Prior Year Level III students to Meet or Exceed
Progress in the Current Year
1. Identify all Prior Year Level III students who did not meet
or exceed progress in the Current Year
2. Evaluate the programs and instructional strategies used
for these students
3. Analyze whether the performance of students not
meeting progress is consistent with classroom
performance and other assessments (CogAT, Norm
Referenced)
4. Determine the successful strategies used with these
students who met or exceeded progress
STAAR Math Charts – Grade 5
Advanced
Grant
Satisfactory
James
Unsatisfactory
Blueprint for Building a Strong GT
Student
What
What
How
STAAR
Reading
STAAR
Math
Verbal
Non
Verbal
Quant.
Comp.
II-1541
II-1583 8A
124
122
116
122
219
229
II-1541
III-1795 7C (V-N+)
107
126
114
117
218
237
III-1656
II-1616 8A
123
114
123
122
218
230
III-1686
III-2012 8E (V+Q-)
135
120
104
122
235
243
III-1686
III-1677 8B (N-)
122
106
126
120
232
241
III-1855
III-1795 9A
144
133
133
141
241
241
III-1995
III-1795 9B (Q+)
128
132
151
144
226
251
III-1995
III-1795 9B (Q+)
128
132
151
144
226
251
Profile
NormRef NormRef
Read
Math
Three Primary Uses of
CogAT Scores
• Help teachers adapt instructional goals, methods and
materials to the individual needs of students
• Measure of each student’s level of cognitive
development
• Identify student whose level of
academic achievement differs
from what would be expected
on their CogAT scores