Ability Profiles
A CogAT ability profile captures both the pattern and the level of a student’s scores on the three CogAT batteries, providing educators with more useful information than the composite USS. Below are several examples of CogAT ability profiles and their meaning:
|
9A |
Very high scores on all three batteries |
|
8B (Q–) |
Generally high scores but a relative weakness on the Quantitative Battery |
|
8E (Q–) |
Generally high scores but an extreme relative weakness on the Quantitative Battery |
|
5C (V+ N–) |
Generally average scores but a relative strength on the Verbal Battery and a relative weakness on the Nonverbal Battery |
|
2B (N+) |
Generally below-average scores but a relative strength on the Nonverbal Battery |
The information communicated in an ability profile follows the format described in the example below.
Explanations of each component of the ability profile follow:
Median age stanine – The middle stanine score the student obtained across the three CogAT batteries. For example, if the student has stanines of 7, 3, and 6 for the Verbal, Quantitative, and Nonverbal batteries, respectively, the median stanine is 6.
Score pattern indicator – One of the following letters, which indicates the pattern of the student’s scores:
|
A = |
All scores are roughly at the sAme level. |
|
B = |
One score is aBove or Below the other two—a relative strength or relative weakness. |
|
C = |
Two scores Contrast—a relative strength AND a relative weakness. |
|
E = |
There are Extreme score differences—at least two scores differ by 24 or more points on the SAS scale. |
Looking at a CogAT score report with confidence bands around the graph of each battery score, you can see how the position of those bands relative to each other indicates one of the above score patterns.
Relative strength or weakness – A plus sign (+) following V, Q, or N indicates a relative strength on the Verbal, Quantitative, or Nonverbal Battery, respectively; a minus sign (–) indicates a relative weakness in the battery.
Click here to use the Interactive Ability Profile™ Interpretation System, an online application built to help you interpret the CogAT Ability Profiles for your students.