Test guide · CogAT®

The CogAT®, explained for parents.

The Cognitive Abilities Test measures verbal, quantitative, and nonverbal reasoning. Many districts give it to every 2nd grader. GateBuddy practice covers the 2nd grade test today.

Districts that use itLook up your district

The 2nd grade CogAT® at a glance

Second graders usually take CogAT® Level 8. It has three parts, called batteries, and nine short subtests. Every question uses pictures, numbers, or shapes, so your child does not need to read. A teacher reads the directions aloud, and the 2nd grade test is not timed.

BatterySubtestQuestions
VerbalPicture Analogies18
Sentence Completion (read aloud by the teacher)18
Picture Classification18
QuantitativeNumber Analogies18
Number Puzzles14
Number Series18
NonverbalFigure Matrices18
Paper Folding16
Figure Classification18

That is 156 questions in all. Some districts start with a shorter screening form of three subtests, then give the other six to children who pass. Source: Riverside Insights, the CogAT® publisher.

CogAT® articles

Basics

CogAT® · Basics

What is the CogAT® (Cognitive Abilities Test)?

The three batteries, CogAT® levels by grade, screening forms, and how scores are reported.

CogAT® · Basics

The CogAT® screener and the full test, explained

Which three subtests the screener uses, why it reports one score, and the 30-day follow-up.

Question types

CogAT® · Question types

The nine CogAT® question types for 2nd grade

What each of the nine Level 8 question types asks, a simple example, and the mistake children make most.

Practice and prep

CogAT® · Practice and prep

2nd grade CogAT® practice: what actually helps

The nine question types on the 2nd grade CogAT®, what practice does, and how to prepare effectively.

CogAT® · Practice and prep

How to prepare effectively for the CogAT®

What to practice, how often, a simple weekly routine, and a timeline to test day.

Scores

CogAT® · Scores

CogAT® scores, explained for parents

Standard Age Score, age and grade percentiles, stanines, composites, and ability profile codes like 8B (V+).

For every gifted test

All tests · Basics

What parents miss about early GATE testing

Why early gifted screening matters, why bright students miss it, and why an unfamiliar test format can be the real hurdle.

All tests · Basics

NNAT® vs CogAT® vs OLSAT®: what parents should know

How the major gifted tests differ, why districts choose different assessments, and what to ask before preparing.

All tests · Basics

Ask how your school approaches Gifted and Talented

Which test, which grade, eligibility rules, appeals, and services all vary by district. The questions that get clear answers.

All tests · Practice and prep

How to prepare a young child for the gifted test

A gifted screening is among the earliest tests a young child sits. What is actually new about it, and how to prepare calmly.

All tests · Scores

What score does my child need to qualify for GATE?

Why qualifying scores vary by district, how percentiles work, and what to ask when results arrive.

Practice all nine 2nd grade CogAT® question types.

Short adaptive sets, an explanation after every answer, and eight full practice tests. Other grades are coming.

Try free CogAT® practice

Districts that use the CogAT®

21 districts researched. Each row shows the grades tested, the window, and whether GateBuddy practice fits.

Arizona

3 districts
DistrictTestGradeWindow
Deer Valley USDPhoenix, AZCogAT®2nd grade CogAT® practice available1 and 2 universal (opt-out); referral 1-122nd grade: Jan 5-15, 2027; 1st grade: Nov 9-Dec 11, 2026Read the guide
Scottsdale USDScottsdale, AZCogAT®2nd grade CogAT® practice available2Nov 30 - Dec 11, 2026Read the guide
Tucson USDTucson, AZCogAT® (CogAT® and Raven)GateBuddy CogAT® practice covers 2nd grade1 and 5 (universal); other grades by requestGrades 4-6 Aug-Oct; grades 1-3 Oct-Dec; kindergarten Jan-FebRead the guide

California

4 districts
DistrictTestGradeWindow
Long Beach USDLong Beach, CACogAT®2nd grade CogAT® practice available2,4Pre-test Oct 5 - Nov 6; post-test Nov 30 - Dec 18 (2026-27)Read the guide
Placentia-Yorba Linda USDPlacentia, CACogAT®GateBuddy CogAT® practice covers 2nd grade3,4 screened; 5-7 by referralFall, October through DecemberRead the guide
San Diego UnifiedSan Diego, CACogAT®2nd grade CogAT® practice available2; plus new-to-district 3,4,5Late January through FebruaryRead the guide
San Ramon Valley USDDanville, CACogAT® (CogAT® (level not published))2nd grade CogAT® practice available2 universal (spring); optional fall test for grade 3 retakes and new students in grades 3-7Spring 2027 dates not published (Feb 2-20 in 2026); fall test Sat Nov 7, 2026Read the guide

Colorado

2 districts
DistrictTestGradeWindow
Douglas County SDCastle Rock, COCogAT®GateBuddy CogAT® practice covers 2nd grade2,5,6February (grade 2), November (grades 5-6)Read the guide
Jefferson County (Jeffco)Golden, COCogAT®2nd grade CogAT® practice available2,5OctoberRead the guide

Georgia

1 district
DistrictTestGradeWindow
DeKalb County SDDecatur, GACogAT® (MAP screen, then CogAT®)GateBuddy CogAT® practice covers 2nd gradeK-10 via MAPFollow-up testing in September and FebruaryRead the guide

Maryland

2 districts
DistrictTestGradeWindow
Baltimore County PSTowson, MDCogAT®2nd grade CogAT® practice available2 (universal review)Team review by mid-April; letters by May 1; appeals by May 15Read the guide
Montgomery County PSRockville, MDCogAT®2nd grade CogAT® practice available2 (all); 4 (not yet identified)Dec 14-16, 2026 (grade 2); Dec 7-9, 2026 (grade 4)Read the guide

North Carolina

2 districts
DistrictTestGradeWindow
Chapel Hill-Carrboro City SchoolsChapel Hill, NCCogAT®GateBuddy CogAT® practice covers 2nd grade3 (universal, opt-out); 5 (opt-in rescreen)Fall (late October to mid November in 2024-25); 2026-27 dates not publishedRead the guide
Wake County PSSRaleigh, NCCogAT®2nd grade CogAT® practice available2 (universal); K-1 and 3+ by nominationSpring of 2nd grade (no district-wide date published)Read the guide

Ohio

2 districts
DistrictTestGradeWindow
Centerville City SchoolsCenterville, OHCogAT®2nd grade CogAT® practice available2 and 5 (whole grade)2nd grade in March (2025-26 calendar); 2026-27 not publishedRead the guide
Olentangy Local SDLewis Center, OHCogAT® (CogAT® Form 7 (full battery), with Iowa Assessments)2nd grade CogAT® practice available2, 3, and 6 whole-grade; K-12 by written referralCogAT® Feb 23-25, 2027 (Iowa Feb 26; makeups Mar 1-5); district window Feb 22 - Mar 5, 2027Read the guide

South Carolina

1 district
DistrictTestGradeWindow
South Carolina (statewide)SCCogAT® (Level 8, Form 8)2nd grade CogAT® practice available2Oct 5-27, 2026Read the guide

Texas

1 district
DistrictTestGradeWindow
Prosper ISDProsper, TXCogAT® (CogAT® (form and level not published))2nd grade CogAT® practice available2 and 4 universal; K, 1, 3, 5, and 6-11 by referralNov 30 - Dec 11, 2026 (grades 2 and 4); referral testing Jan 20 - Feb 19, 2027; referrals close Jan 15, 2027Read the guide

Virginia

1 district
DistrictTestGradeWindow
Loudoun County PSAshburn, VACogAT® (CogAT® (form and level not published by LCPS))2nd grade CogAT® practice available2 (CogAT®, universal); 3 universal gifted evaluation; 4-8 by Permission to Evaluate formCogAT® in February of 2nd grade (Feb 2027); 3rd grade evaluation spring 2027, results late May 2027Read the guide

Washington

2 districts
DistrictTestGradeWindow
Bellevue SDBellevue, WACogAT® (CogAT® Screening Form (grade 2); CogAT® Form 7/8)2nd grade CogAT® practice availableK and 2 universal; 5 from data; 1 and 3-11 by applicationEarly Nov 2026 - early Mar 2027; applications close Oct 6, 2026Read the guide
Issaquah SDIssaquah, WACogAT® (CogAT® Form 8 Level 9, TTCT, i-Ready)GateBuddy CogAT® practice covers 2nd grade2 universal (K screener); 1 and 3-12 by September referralTTCT Nov 30 - Dec 11, 2026; i-Ready Jan 4-29, 2027; CogAT® Mar 1-12, 2027Read the guide