CogAT® Quantitative Questions: Explanation, Samples, & Tips!
/In this post, we start with an overview of the "Quantitative" section/battery of the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT), which includes 3 question types.
We provide links to sample questions and strategies for each of these 3 question types.
We also provide more general tips and strategies that students can use to perform successfully on the verbal section of the official CogAT® test.
The nonverbal battery is one of three subtests on the CogAT. The other two batteries assess verbal and nonverbal skills.
Quantitative Question Types: What To Expect
The quantitative battery measures abstract reasoning, quantitative reasoning, and problem solving skills.
The three subtests are the same for all levels: Number Series, Number Puzzles, and Number Analogies.
| Type | Level |
|---|---|
| Number Series |
Students are given a series of numbers following a pattern. They must determine what number should come next in the series. |
| Number Puzzles |
This subtest requires students to solve simple mathematical equations in order to make the amounts on either side of the equal sign the same.K-2 students are provided with pictures that represent math problems. |
| Number Analogies |
Older students must determine which number in the provided answer choices is analogous to the numbers in the question.K-2 students are given a 2X2 matrix with one empty cell. The student must determine the relationship between the two images in the top row, and then find the picture that has the same relationship with the image on the bottom row. |
Number of Questions for each Age Group/Level
| Quantitative Battery | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Number Series | Number Puzzles | Number Analogies | |
| Level 5/6 | 14 | 10 | 14 |
| Level 7 (1st) | 16 | 12 | 16 |
| Level 8 (2nd) | 18 | 14 | 18 |
| Level 9 (3rd) | 18 | 16 | 18 |
| Level 10 (4th) | 18 | 16 | 18 |
| Level 11(5th) | 18 | 16 | 18 |
| Level 12 (6th) | 18 | 16 | 18 |
| Level 13-18 (7th-12th) | 18 | 16 | 18 |
The CogAT Form 7 levels reflect the age of the student taking the test, so, for example, Level 5/6 is taken by five and six year olds in Kindergarten, and Level 9 is taken by nine year olds in third grade (and so on).
**We recommend asking your particular school/school district which level of test is used for gifted or classroom assessments, and also checking if all three CogAT batteries (or just one or two batteries/sub-tests) are given.
Quantitative Questions: Tips and Strategies
These questions will measure your child’s skills in abstract reasoning, quantitative reasoning, and problem solving.
Purchase some engaging, enjoyable workbooks for your child related to patterns, sequences, and basic mathematical concepts. Talk to your child about number relationships like more, less, and equal. Most importantly, have your child work through practice questions to build confidence and familiarity with the test content.
Ask him how he arrived at his answer to create opportunities to reinforce strong reasoning skills and correct misconceptions as needed.
Advise your child to carefully read through each answer choice before selecting one, and to eliminate obviously wrong answers by crossing them out in his practice test book. Remind him that he is free to write in his test book as much as he would like, including working out problems, sketching figures, circling key information, etc.
CogAT Quantitative Sample Questions
Try sample questions from every question type on the CogAT quantitative battery:
What's Next?
Help your child become familiar with the questions on this challenging exam by downloading a free CogAT practice test.
Check out additional sample questions and learn more about the other sections on the CogAT, including the verbal battery, and the nonverbal battery.
If you think you need more information and guidance about the CogAT, take a look at our ultimate guide on this test, and our in-depth article on CogAT scores.
Also, learn everything you need to know about other tests that measure a child’s potential to learn in school, like the NNAT or the OLSAT.
