Sign Up Now Open for Optional CogAT Testing K, 1, and 3- Information for 2nd and 4th-grade families as their students will take the CogAT during school.
What is the CogAT?
CogAT stands for Cognitive Ability Test. As reported by Riverside, the company that makes the test, “cognitive ability refers to a student’s readiness to learn in different situations and environments and demonstrate creative problem-solving skills.” This CogAT is the Ohio-approved test Sycamore Community School district has chosen to use to complete the required screening and qualification of students as gifted in superior cognitive ability.
Who gets tested?
All 2nd and 4th-grade students will take the CogAT test during regular school hours; families do not need to sign up or pay anything. It is essential to test all students because the information helps guide educators and caregivers on a child’s learning profile and helps ensure students get placed in the most appropriate learning environments. Students in K, 1, or 3rd grade can take the CogAT as an option at no cost to families, but a family member must (1) sign their student up for the optional test by November 29th and then (2) provide transportation to the before-school test – district transportation is not provided. Follow this link to sign up for 2023 Winter CogAT Testing (Elementary) which can also be found on the 2023 Winter CogAT Testing (Elementary) document from the district. Click on the button below to see it.
When is the test?
Families of 2nd and 4th-grade students should watch school and classroom communications about specific test days, but they are expected to be in mid-December.
Optional testing will occur on Dec. 13, 14, and 15 before school (see sign-up for specific drop-off time). Students need to attend all 3 before school test sessions to get a complete score.
Sign-up for optional testing deadline is by Nov. 29th without exception.
Where is the test administered?
Your student’s elementary school- Again, optional testing before school requires students to be transported to school by families. Families of 2nd and 4th-grade students do not need to do any special transportation as those students will be tested during regular school hours.
Why or Why Not should my child take the test?
This test will give information that can help guide student education, which is why it is required for 2nd and 4th graders. Additionally, all scores, including scores from optional tests, can qualify a student for different learning environments at Sycamore. A student must get a score of 128+ to be eligible for many of Sycamore’s advanced and accelerated services. A few students may be placed in double acceleration classes, which are available for students scoring 144+ on the CogAT. Getting a student’s scores on these tests can be valuable, especially if a family thinks their student will fit best in advanced or accelerated learning environments. Students can also benefit from experiencing this test; some even find it fun. However, other students may find this test stressful, be unable to sit for the whole test, particularly when they are younger (~30-minute sections), or are simply not morning people. All caregivers should follow their instincts as they know their child best to determine if optional testing is right for their child.
Where can I learn more about the CogAT test?
Click the button below to read the Overview of CogAT for Parents document from Riverside. It includes sample questions as well.
Should I do anything to prepare my child for this test?
The most important prep is the same as any school day: a good night’s sleep, a positive morning, and breakfast. There is no expectation or need to ‘study’ for the CogAT test. This is not a test like many others where a student’s understanding of the taught material is being checked. However, some students benefit from a brief preview of test questions in the overview document.
Working on spatial reasoning is one area of enrichment that is valuable for life and may help nonverbal CogAT scores. There is an excellent presentation from the Ohio Association for Gifted Children about how spatial reasoning can be developed from this fall’s conference, including resources and games that build these spatial reasoning skills.
For questions, please reach out to info@sycamoregear.org.