Decision Point

Testing Program Implications

When is the first day and last day of testing? These dates will be entered as your test assignment start date and end date.

Students can only access assigned tests between the start date and end date of your assignment.

What would you like to use as the normative date for your testing program? The normative date is automatically calculated as the midpoint between your Test Assignment start date and end date.

CogAT age-based on norms are based on 1-month intervals. CogAT grade-based norms are based on fall, midyear, and spring seasons. Review the guidelines here for help understanding implications on normative data based on your assignment start date, end date, and type of testing program.

Which CogAT test form (Form 7 or Form 8) will be administered to students? When you set up an assignment, you will choose a specific test form to administer.

Ensure that you have enough licenses for the form you plan to administer. If you are administering both forms, set up two test assignments, one for Form 7 and one for Form 8.

Which test configuration (Complete or Screening Form) will be administered to students? When you set up an assignment, you will choose a specific test configuration to administer.

Ensure that you have enough licenses for the configuration you plan to administer.

Which test levels will be assigned to students in which grades? When you set up an assignment, you will assign a specific test level to students in specific grades.

CogAT is a multi-level assessment, and each test level targets the cognitive development typical for students in a specific grade. For early learners, the most appropriate level may be based on grade and time of year (fall, midyear, spring). Learn more about pairing test levels to grades here.

Which test batteries (Verbal, Quantitative, Nonverbal) will be administered?

If you’re using the Complete form, you’ll need to administer all three test batteries to receive an ability profile score for students. This is the most frequently used option. If you’re administering the Screening Form, the test will include one subtest from the Verbal, Quantitative, and Nonverbal battery, so you will not see the option to select a specific battery when creating your assignment.

How do you want data to aggregate for classes, schools, and the district as a whole? Students tested in the same assignment will be a part of the same aggregate group in reporting. Students tested in separate assignments will be in different aggregate groups.

If you are running an event-based program, you’ll want to be sure to set up only one test assignment. If you are running a rolling test program, you’ll want to set up an assignment for each month of testing.