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)Alexandria City Public Schools (VA)Anne Arundel County Public Schools (MD)Anoka-Hennepin School District (MN)Auburn School District (WA)BIRDVILLE ISD (TX)BROWARD (FL)BROWNSVILLE ISD (TX)BRYAN ISD (TX)Baltimore County Public Schools (MD)Bartlett (TN)Birmingham City (AL)Brentwood Union (CA)Burbank Unified (CA)CHARLOTTE (FL)CITRUS (FL)CLEAR CREEK ISD (TX)CORPUS CHRISTI ISD (TX)Carmel Clay Schools (IN)Carroll County Public Schools (MD)Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (NC)Cincinnati Public Schools (OH)Cleveland Municipal (OH)Cobb County (GA)Compton Unified (CA)Davis District (UT)EANES ISD (TX)EASTERN CARVER COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOL (MN)ELKHORN PUBLIC SCHOOLS (NE)Elmhurst SD 205 (IL)FORT BEND ISD (TX)FRISCO ISD (TX)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)HOUSTON ISD (TX)Hacienda la Puente Unified (CA)Hamilton Southeastern Schools (IN)Hampton City Public Schools (VA)Harford County Public Schools (MD)Iredell-Statesville Schools (NC)JUDSON ISD (TX)Lake Stevens School District (WA)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)Milwaukee School District (WI)Montgomery County Public Schools (MD)Mukilteo School District (WA)Napa Valley Unified (CA)Nebo District (UT)Olentangy Local (OH)Orange Unified (CA)PLANO ISD (TX)PROSPER ISD (TX)Pasco School District (WA)Paterson Public School District (NJ)Pennsbury SD (PA)Pickerington Local (OH)Pleasanton Unified (CA)Prince George's County Public Schools (MD)Puyallup School District (WA)Redlands Unified (CA)Richmond County (GA)Rockdale County (GA)SAN ANTONIO ISD (TX)Sacramento City Unified (CA)San Diego Unified (CA)San Ramon Valley Unified (CA)School District 27J (CO)Scotch Plains-Fanwood School District (NJ)Shoreline School District (WA)Snohomish School District (WA)Snoqualmie Valley School District (WA)South Kitsap School District (WA)Stillwater Area Public Schools (MN)TOMBALL ISD (TX)Tooele District (UT)Tredyffrin-Easttown SD (PA)WEST FARGO 6 (ND)Wake County Schools (NC)Washington County Public Schools (MD)West Windsor-Plainsboro Regional School District (NJ)Westerville City (OH)Westfield-Washington Schools (IN)Zionsville Community Schools (IN)

Is there a free CogAT practice test?

Quiz Karts is a free CogAT practice game for K-5 kids, built as a kart-racing game covering the reading, math, and reasoning skills CogAT (Cognitive Abilities Test) measures. It's in private preview right now — join the list below to be first in when it opens.

Get free 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. Free to join the launch list now.

Join the free launch list