What is the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT)?

The CogAT is offered to students to determine eligibility for gifted education services in Jenks Public Schools.  Students are eligible to take the test once per twelve-month period and may be nominated by a parent, teacher, or community member.

When is CogAT offered?  How do I nominate my child for testing?

The CogAT will be offered twice a year. Parents may nominate their students for testing by completing a Parent Nomination Form.  These forms will be available at each site office in paper form or online here once the registration window has opened.  If a nomination is received by a teacher or community member, the parent will be contacted to fill out the nomination form.  Nomination forms are available in English, Spanish, Zomi, and Burmese at each site's front office. An interpreter will be provided for families upon request.

3rd, 6th, and 9th Graders who are not already identified for gifted services will be automatically tested during the Spring Testing Window. Some identified 9th graders will be retested and parents/guardians will receive an email from the Site Principal with this information. Parents DO NOT need to register 3rd, 6th, and 9th graders for Spring Testing. If you do not wish for your 3rd, 6th, or 9th grader to take the CogAT Test this Spring, please notify sarah.onorato@jenksps.org and CC your child's Site Principal.

2024-2025 Testing & Registration Windows

Fall Testing Window - September 30, 2024-October 4, 2024 for all sites besides West Intermediate who will be tested October 10-15 due to Jenks Wild. (The specific dates and times within this window that your child will be testing will vary by teacher and site. They will be tested at some point during this window. Please avoid scheduling doctor's appointments and vacations during this week. Makeups will only be provided for unexpected illness or family emergencies.)

• Registration for this Fall testing session opens August 1, 2024

• The Registration Deadline for this Fall testing session is August 30, 2024 at 4pm.

Spring Testing Window - February 3-14, 2025 (The specific dates and times within this window that your child will be testing will vary by teacher and site. They will be tested at some point during this window. Please avoid scheduling doctor's appointments and vacations during this week. Makeups will only be provided for unexpected illness or family emergencies.)

• Registration for this Spring testing session opens December 1, 2024

• The Registration Deadline for this Spring session is January 3, 2025 at 4pm.

If you choose to complete a paper nomination form instead of using the above link, please return the nomination form to your site gifted coordinator or front office by the deadlines above. Emailed or hard copy nomination forms received after this deadline will not be guaranteed testing as materials must be ordered in advance.

What if I miss a deadline for paperwork?

Unfortunately, the dates are very firm. The district must adhere to strict guidelines for all testing in order to have materials prepared in time for testing. If you are close to the deadline, please do not mail the form but hand-deliver it to the office or Gifted Coordinator at your child's site.  Please check our calendar often and call or email us with any questions.

Are make-ups provided for CogAT?

Make-ups will not be provided unless there is an unexpected illness or family emergency. 

What does CogAT measure?

CogAT measures learned reasoning and problem-solving skills in three different areas: verbal, quantitative, and nonverbal. Reasoning skills develop gradually throughout a person’s lifetime and at different rates for different individuals. Reasoning abilities are good predictors of success in school and are important outcomes of good schooling. CogAT does not measure such factors as effort, attention, motivation, and work habits, which also contribute greatly to school achievement.

How do the three batteries of CogAT differ?

1. The Verbal Battery measures flexibility, fluency, and adaptability in reasoning with verbal materials and in solving verbal problems. These reasoning abilities play an important role in reading comprehension, critical thinking, writing, and virtually all verbal learning tasks.

2. The Quantitative Battery measures quantitative reasoning skills; flexibility and fluency in working with quantitative symbols and concepts; and the ability to organize, structure, and give meaning to an unordered set of numerals and mathematical symbols. These reasoning skills are significantly related to problem-solving in mathematics and other disciplines.

3. The Nonverbal Battery measures reasoning using geometric shapes and figures. To perform successfully, students must invent strategies for solving novel problems. They must be flexible in using these strategies and accurate in implementing them. 

How often can my child take the CogAT?

Students may take the CogAT one time per calendar year. For example, if a student takes the test in October, he/she cannot take it again when it's offered in the spring...but would have to wait until the following October to test again.

How and when will I receive my child's CogAT scores?

The scores will be mailed to your home by the end of the semester.

I need more information...

Please contact District Gifted Coordinator, Sarah Onorato, at sarah.onorato@jenksps.org if you have additional questions.

Thank you.