Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) - Grade 3

This year, the Howard County Public School System will be administering the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) to all Grade 3 students.  The CogAT is a group-administered abilities test that measures students’ reasoning abilities, which they develop through in-school and out-of-school experiences. It is not designed to test a student’s academic achievement, but their potential. CogAT is a computer-based assessment.

The test is made up of three batteries – Verbal, Quantitative, and Nonverbal.  Each battery takes approximately 30 minutes to complete.  The CogAT helps educators better understand a student’s cognitive strengths and weaknesses and assists with adapting instruction to meet the needs and abilities of each student.  

The 23-24 CogAT will be administered to 3rd grade on the following dates:

• December 6, 7 and 8, 2023

We plan to administer CogAT to all Grade 3 students.  Make-ups will be administered the week of December 11th-14th. 

No special preparation is required for testing. Please plan to send your child to school ready to learn as you do each day.

The Gifted and Talented Education Program will use the data from the CogAT as one criterion for placement into fourth grade Gifted/Talented mathematics classes and middle school Gifted/Talented content classes.  Students’ individual scores will be reported to parents later this school year.

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions about your child’s involvement with the CogAT assessment. 

​​​​​​​Sincerely,

Shari Lorch, Assistant Principal