Gifted & Talented test guide
CogAT (Cognitive Abilities Test)
The Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT), published by Riverside Insights, measures reasoning ability across three areas — verbal, quantitative, and nonverbal — rather than taught curriculum. It's one of the most widely used screening tests for gifted and talented (G&T) programs in the U.S.
General information only — format, grades tested, and administration vary by district. Always check your district's G&T program page for specifics.
Grade by grade
- Primary grades (K-2): often a shorter, picture-based form.
- Elementary grades (3-6): full three-battery form (Verbal, Quantitative, Nonverbal), usually group-administered.
- Middle school: sometimes used alongside other measures for advanced-course placement.
- Exact grades tested, timing, and battery mix vary by district — check your district's G&T program page.
Per district publications — verify with your district.
Districts on our list that use CogAT (Cognitive Abilities Test)
AMARILLO ISD (TX)Anne Arundel County Public Schools (MD)Auburn School District (WA)BIRDVILLE ISD (TX)BROWARD (FL)BROWNSVILLE ISD (TX)Baltimore County Public Schools (MD)Bartlett (TN)Birmingham City (AL)Burbank Unified (CA)CHARLOTTE (FL)CITRUS (FL)CORPUS CHRISTI ISD (TX)Carmel Clay Schools (IN)Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (NC)Cincinnati Public Schools (OH)Cleveland Municipal (OH)Cobb County (GA)EANES ISD (TX)ELKHORN PUBLIC SCHOOLS (NE)Elmhurst SD 205 (IL)Fayette County (GA)Frederick County Public Schools (MD)GRAPEVINE-COLLEYVILLE ISD (TX)Glendale Unified (CA)Granite District (UT)Greenwich School District (CT)Gwinnett County (GA)Hacienda la Puente Unified (CA)Hampton City Public Schools (VA)Harford County Public Schools (MD)Iredell-Statesville Schools (NC)JUDSON ISD (TX)Lake Washington School District (WA)Long Beach Unified (CA)MAGNOLIA ISD (TX)Manhattan Beach Unified (CA)Mason City (OH)Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District (AK)Menifee Union (CA)Montgomery County Public Schools (MD)Mukilteo School District (WA)Napa Valley Unified (CA)Olentangy Local (OH)PLANO ISD (TX)PROSPER ISD (TX)Pasco School District (WA)Paterson Public School District (NJ)Pennsbury SD (PA)Pickerington Local (OH)Prince George's County Public Schools (MD)Rockdale County (GA)SAN ANTONIO ISD (TX)San Diego Unified (CA)Shoreline School District (WA)Snohomish School District (WA)Snoqualmie Valley School District (WA)South Kitsap School District (WA)Tooele District (UT)Tredyffrin-Easttown SD (PA)Wake County Schools (NC)Washington County Public Schools (MD)Westerville City (OH)Westfield-Washington Schools (IN)
Practice with Quiz Karts
Racing game your kid will beg to play — reading, math, and reasoning practice disguised as a kart race, so test-day nerves feel like just another lap.
Practice with Quiz Karts