CogAT test day tips for parents

Key takeaways

• The week before, confirm the date, time and what to bring with the school, keep practice light and familiar, and hold the usual bedtime all week.
• Skip practice the night before, then keep the morning ordinary: a familiar breakfast, a little extra time, a bathroom stop and the usual goodbye.
• Keep your words short and warm (“Look at all the answers before you pick one”), and avoid raising the stakes, comparisons or rewards for a result.
• In K–2 the teacher reads questions aloud and paces the group, so listening is key; from 3rd grade each subtest is 10 minutes, so don’t get stuck on one.
• If your child wakes up sick, contact the school early about make-up options; afterward, ask what was interesting rather than how they did.

On this page

1. The week before
2. The night before
3. The morning of the test
4. What to say (and what not to say)
5. Listening and pacing on the day
6. If your child is sick or anxious
7. After the test
8. FAQ

The week before

The week before the CogAT® is for keeping life normal, not for cramming. Short, familiar practice is fine; a big new push is more likely to add stress than to help.

• Confirm the details with the school. Check the date, the start time, where your child will be, whether they need to bring anything and how the test will be given. Schools handle this differently, so ask rather than assume.
• Keep practice light. A few minutes a day with question types your child already knows builds confidence. If you want a full practice test, do it a week or two ahead, not the night before.
• Protect sleep. Hold the usual bedtime all week, not just the night before.
• Describe the test simply. “It’s a puzzle activity at school where you show how you think. Some puzzles are easy and some are tricky for everyone.”

If your child has been practicing with Thinkling, its practice tests follow the real format and order, one section per sitting with no hints, so the structure of the day will already feel familiar.

The night before

• Keep dinner, bath and bedtime the same as on any school night.
• Skip practice. A favorite book or a relaxed game is a better way to wind down.
• Pack anything the school asked for, plus glasses if your child wears them.
• Lay out comfortable clothes with a layer, since classrooms can be warm or cool.
• If your child brings up the test, keep the answer brief and upbeat, then move on to something else.

The morning of the test

• Serve a breakfast your child usually eats. Test day is not the day to try something new.
• Leave a little extra time so nobody is rushing or worried about being late.
• Remind your child to use the bathroom before you leave home.
• Say goodbye the way you always do. An ordinary send-off tells your child this is an ordinary day.

What to say (and what not to say)

Children read our tone more than our words. Aim for short, warm and low-stakes.

Helpful things to say

• “Listen carefully to your teacher and take your time.”
• “Look at all the answers before you pick one.”
• “Some questions will be tricky. That’s normal. Do your best and keep going.”
• “I’m proud of you for trying, whatever happens.”

Things to avoid

• Anything that raises the stakes, like “This decides whether you get into the gifted program.”
• Comparisons with siblings, cousins or classmates.
• Big rewards promised for a result, which turn a puzzle activity into pressure.
• Last-minute quizzing in the car.

Listening and pacing on the day

Kindergarten to 2nd grade: listening to directions

At Levels 5/6 to 8 (usually kindergarten to 2nd grade), the teacher reads every question aloud, the questions are picture-based, and no reading is needed. The test is untimed; the teacher paces the group. That makes listening the key skill.

In the days before, play a quick game: give a direction once, without repeating it, and let your child follow it. Remind them to listen to the whole question before looking at the pictures, to look at every answer choice, and to wait for the teacher’s signal before moving on.

3rd grade and up: pacing

From Level 9 (usually 3rd grade), children read the questions on their own, and each subtest is timed at 10 minutes. At Levels 9 to 11, each subtest has between 16 and 24 questions, so there is time to think, but not time to get stuck.

1. Read each question fully, then look at every choice.
2. If one question is taking much longer than the others, make the best choice you can and move on.
3. Keep an even pace instead of rushing the first few questions.
4. Follow the teacher’s directions about what to do if you finish early.

If your child is sick or anxious

A child with a fever or an upset stomach is unlikely to show their usual thinking. If your child wakes up sick, contact the school as early as you can and ask about make-up options. Each school and district has its own approach, so ask instead of assuming.

Nerves are normal, and a little is fine. Acknowledge the feeling (“It makes sense to feel a bit nervous”), share a simple calming trick such as three slow breaths, and remind your child that the teacher will explain what to do. If worry is strong or lasts for days, talk with the teacher or school counselor before the test.

After the test

Greet your child with the same warmth you would on any day. Ask open questions such as “What was the most interesting part?” rather than “How did you do?”, and there is no need to ask about specific questions. Then do something fun that has nothing to do with tests.

The publisher scores the CogAT, and your school can tell you when and how results are shared. When they arrive, our guide to CogAT scores explains what the numbers mean.

Frequently asked questions

Should my child practice the night before the CogAT?

It’s better not to. A good night’s sleep and a relaxed evening help more than last-minute practice, which can leave a child tired or anxious. If you want one more session, make it short and easy a day or two earlier, and end on a question your child gets right so they go in feeling capable.

What should my child bring on CogAT test day?

Ask your school, because what children need depends on how the school gives the test. Beyond what the school asks for, make sure your child has glasses if they wear them, comfortable clothes with a layer, and a familiar breakfast beforehand. Leave practice materials at home: test day is for doing, not studying.

What if my child is sick on test day?

Contact the school as early as you can and explain the situation. Ask what make-up options exist and what the next steps would be. Policies vary between schools and districts, so the school is the only reliable source. A child who feels unwell is unlikely to show their usual thinking, so the conversation is worth having.

How long is each part of the CogAT?

From Level 9, usually 3rd grade, each subtest is timed at 10 minutes and children read the questions on their own. At Levels 5/6 to 8, usually kindergarten to 2nd grade, the test is untimed: the teacher reads the questions aloud and paces the group. Ask your school how the sessions are spread across the day or week.

Should I tell my child the test is for the gifted program?

Be honest but keep it light. Describing it as a puzzle activity where they show how they think is true and takes the pressure off. Avoid framing it as a big decision about their future or comparing them with siblings. Young children do their best thinking when they feel safe, curious and unhurried.