Gifted testingJune 17, 2026 6 min read
CogAT question types explained (all three batteries)
A breakdown of every CogAT question type — verbal, quantitative, and nonverbal — so you know exactly what your child will see.
The CogAT has three batteries, each with distinct question types. Knowing them removes test-day surprises.
Verbal battery
- Picture/Verbal Analogies — 'bird is to sky as fish is to ___'.
- Sentence Completion — choose the word that best fits.
- Picture/Verbal Classification — find the one that belongs with a group.
Quantitative battery
- Number Analogies — find the rule linking number pairs.
- Number Puzzles — solve for the missing value.
- Number Series — continue the pattern.
Nonverbal battery
- Figure Matrices — complete the visual analogy.
- Paper Folding — predict holes/shapes after folds and punches.
- Figure Classification — find the figure that fits the set.
Why familiarity helps
A child who has seen each type spends test time reasoning, not decoding instructions — which lets their real ability show.
Common questions
How many questions are on the CogAT?
It varies by level and grade, but expect roughly 100–170 questions across the three batteries, given in timed sections.
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