Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) - Understanding the Student Profile and its Use for Educational Planning

Oct 5, 2026

Uploaded by Ivy

Guidance for AIG teachers and Grade Three teachers on using CogAT results in WCPSS educational planning. The material outlines meeting logistics with key school personnel, how to prepare student folders and parent handouts, and how to frame the session as general information rather than individual score Q&A. It explains CogAT batteries, testing time and subtests, score interpretation (stanine, percentile rank), and clarifies that CogAT is not an IQ test, then summarizes composite scores for predicting performance areas.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages22

Reading Time55 min

AccessFree to download

Understanding the Student Profile and its Use for Educational Planning

Recommendations for AIG Teacher and Meeting Setup

Educational Planning Overview

CogAT Batteries and Testing Structure

CogAT Scores and Score Interpretation

CogAT Composite Scores

Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) Understanding the Student Profile and its Use for Educational Planning Dyane Barnett and Melani Blewett AIG Teachers Mills Park ES dbarnett@wcpss. net [mblewett@wcpss.net](mblewett@wcpss.net) Recommendations for the AIG Teacher: Remember to consult with your building level administrator as to how he/she wants to distribute and interpret the CogAT scores to parents. It is their decision!! AIG teachers are expected to review and practice the power point presentation PRIOR to the meeting/s. The following school personnel should be represented at the meeting: Principal, Assistant Principal, or designee Test Coordinator, AIG Teacher, Counselor, IRT, Grade Three Teachers, Exceptional Children Program Teacher/Representative, and/or any other personnel designated by the principal Instructions for the AIG Teachers and Third Grade Teachers: 1.Schedule a large meeting space, for example the media center or gym, in advance. 2.Order student address labels from the NCWISE Technician. 3.Prepare a brown envelope/folder for each student including the following items: Student name and address label placed on the outside of the envelope/folder Individual Student Profile CogAT Narrative Sheet for each student (the individual student’s score sheet) CogAT Form 7 General Information sheet 85% rationale for the Iowa AIG Program Pamphlet/AIG Brochure 4. Prepare the following handouts to be given to parents upon arrival at the meeting: Handouts of CogAT power point Sample CogAT Profile Narrative 5. Prepare the following sign-in sheets: Parent attendance sign-in sheet, by third grade class Sign-up sheet for parents wanting an individual conference 6. At the start of the parent meeting: Announce the following to parents and staff members in attendance: This general informational meeting is to provide an overview of the CogAT scores. It is not a time to take specific questions about a student’s individual scores. A sign-up sheet for individual consultation/interpretation of scores will be provided at the end of the meeting. Also let the parents know what items will be in the envelope that they pick up at the end of the presentation. Hold up the hard copy of the CogAT Power Point notes and the sample CogAT student profile to see if any parents still need a copy. Begin Power Point presentation. At the conclusion of the Power Point, ask if there are any general questions Provide parents with directions on how envelopes will be distributed (by classroom teachers, A-B-C by counselor, etc) . If additional tables are going to be set up for explanations following the general meeting, direct parents to that location. Thank parents for attending and adjourn meeting. Educational Planning ● The Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) is administered to all third grade students in WCPSS. ● The CogAT benchmark testing is used for educational planning. ● Individual student data is accessed by the Academically or Intellectually Gifted (AIG) Program and other WCPSS educational programs. Each of the CogAT batteries (Verbal, Quantitative and Nonverbal) was administered on a separate day. The total testing time each day was approximately 30 minutes. There are three subtests that comprise each Battery. CogAT Scores Please refer to the sample CogAT Report included with the meeting hand-outs. The CogAT Batteries are: – Verbal – measure of verbal reasoning skills – Quantitative– measure of math reasoning skills – Nonverbal – measure of visual-spatial reasoning The Stanine score is relatively easy to use because it is a one digit number. An advantage of the stanine score is that it discourages over-interpretation of small, insignificant differences among test scores. There must be a difference between stanine scores of at least 2 points for the difference to be considered significant. The Percentile Rank is NOT the percentage of correct answers. The CogAT is n

FAQs

What is the purpose of the general parent meeting about CogAT scores?

The meeting provides an overview of CogAT scores and is not intended for detailed questions about a specific student’s individual results. A separate sign-up for individual consultation is provided at the end of the meeting.

How should AIG teachers and third grade teachers prepare before the meeting?

They should review and practice the PowerPoint presentation prior to the meeting, schedule an appropriate space, order student address labels, prepare individual student envelopes with specified documents, and prepare parent handouts and sign-in sheets.

How are stanine scores and percentile rank used in interpreting CogAT results?

Stanine is a one-digit score that discourages over-interpretation of small differences; a stanine difference of at least 2 is considered significant. Percentile rank is not the percentage of correct answers, and it compares a student to a national standardization group for the student’s age.

Oct 5, 2026

Uploaded by Ivy