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What this practice test covers
This test mirrors the format of CogAT Levels 9 and 10, the levels typically used in grades 3 and 4. It's organized the way the real test is, in three batteries:
- Verbal: Verbal Analogies, Sentence Completion, Verbal Classification
- Quantitative: Number Analogies, Number Puzzles, Number Series
- Nonverbal: Figure Matrices, Paper Folding, Figure Classification
Each subtest has six questions, from easy warm-ups to a couple of genuinely tricky ones. The picture questions are drawn simply, in the same style as the real formats: a 2×2 grid with a missing box, paper that's folded and punched, and rows of figures that share a rule.
It's a sampler, not a full-length test. The real CogAT has many more questions per subtest and, at these levels, is timed. The actual test questions aren't public, so every question here is original.
How to use it with your child
Use practice mode first. Sit with your child, let them try each question, then read the explanation together. The goal is understanding the type of question — "in this one, you find what changed from the first box to the second" — not memorizing answers.
If your child is comfortable and wants a challenge, try exam mode later, one battery at a time. Keep sessions short; three batteries in one sitting is a lot for an eight-year-old.
How the real CogAT is scored
On the real test, raw scores are converted using Riverside's norms into a Standard Age Score (mean 100, standard deviation 16), percentile ranks, and stanines, by battery and as a composite. That conversion depends on your child's exact age and grade and on the level taken, so a practice test can't reproduce it.
This practice test shows percent correct overall and for each battery. Use that to see which kinds of reasoning feel natural and which formats need another look — not to predict a gifted-program decision.
After the practice test
- Revisit the formats that caused confusion, not every missed question. Paper folding and figure matrices are the usual surprises.
- Stop there. One or two relaxed sessions is plenty. The CogAT measures reasoning on new problems; extended drilling doesn't fit what it's designed to measure.
- Ask your school for the testing date, which level and form, whether it's the Screening Form, and the identification criteria. Our CogAT guide for parents lists the exact questions to ask.
Sample questions
5 questions from this practice test, with answers and explanations. Take the full test above for timing, scoring and your weakest domains.
The first two words go together in a certain way. Which word goes with the third word in the same way?
bird → nest bee → ?
- A. honey
- B. hive
- C. flower
- D. wing
- E. buzz
Show answerHide answer
A nest is the home a bird lives in. The home a bee lives in is a hive. Honey and flower are tempting because they go with bees, but they aren't a bee's home — the pair has to match the same relationship, not just the same topic.
The numbers in each pair follow the same rule. Find the number that belongs where the ? is.
[3 → 12] [5 → 20] [7 → ?]
- A. 11
- B. 14
- C. 21
- D. 28
- E. 35
Show answerHide answer
Rule: multiply by 4. 3 × 4 = 12 and 5 × 4 = 20, so 7 × 4 = 28. A "+9" rule works for 3 → 12 but not for 5 → 20 (that's +15), which is why you test the rule on every pair. 21 comes from multiplying by 3 instead of 4.
The numbers follow a pattern. Which number comes next?
5 8 6 9 7 10 ?
- A. 8
- B. 9
- C. 11
- D. 12
- E. 13
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The pattern alternates: +3, −2, +3, −2, +3. The next step is −2, so 10 − 2 = 8. Another way to see it: every other number counts up by one (5, 6, 7, 8). 13 is the trap — it adds 3 again instead of following the back-and-forth pattern.
The top two pictures go together in a certain way. Find the picture that goes with the bottom-left picture in the same way — it belongs where the ? is.
- A.
- B.
- C.
- D.
- E.
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In the top row the big shape and the small shape trade places: the big circle becomes the small shape and the small square becomes the big shape. Trade the bottom-left shapes the same way — the triangle becomes small and the circle becomes big: a big circle with a small triangle inside. The big square with a small triangle is tempting because it borrows the square from the top row, but the square isn't part of the bottom row at all.
The pictures in the top row show a square sheet of paper being folded, then holes being punched through all the layers. Which picture shows the paper when it is completely unfolded?
- A.
- B.
- C.
- D.
- E.
Show answerHide answer
Two folds make four layers, so each of the two punches makes four holes: eight holes in all. Unfold the last fold first: the two holes mirror onto the left half, making an upside-down V across the bottom half. Then unfold the top-to-bottom fold: that V mirrors onto the top half. Together they form a big X. The upside-down V is what you'd see if you only undid one fold; the plus sign has the right number of holes in the wrong places.
More CogAT guides
Frequently asked questions
Are these real CogAT questions?
No. CogAT items aren't released to the public. These are original questions written to match the published subtest formats.
Which grade is this practice test for?
It follows the Level 9–10 format typically used in grades 3–4. Kindergarten through grade 2 take picture-based levels with directions read aloud.
Why is it untimed?
The goal is learning the formats, and short, relaxed practice works better for young kids. The real test at Levels 9 and up is timed, following Riverside's administration directions.
My child got most of these right. Will they qualify for gifted?
Can't say. Real scores are normed by age and grade, and each district sets its own cutoff. Treat this as format practice.
Sources & official links
- Riverside Insights — CogAT Forms 7/8 Norms and Score Conversions Guideonlinehelp.riversideinsights.com
- Riverside Insights — CogAT structure of the assessment (online help)onlinehelp.riversideinsights.com