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Free CogAT practice test — Grade 3

10 original CogAT-style questions for Grade 3, with answers and full explanations. No signup needed.

These free CogAT-style practice questions cover all three batteries — Verbal, Quantitative, and Nonverbal — at the level your child will see on test day.

Every question is original, written to the real format, and includes a full explanation. Work through them together, then take the free diagnostic for a complete skill-by-skill readiness picture.

Question 1Verbal Analogies
Complete the analogy: PUMPKIN is to ORANGE as SNOW is to ___
  1. Ared
  2. Bwhite
  3. Comelet
  4. Dpurple
  5. Eyellow
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: B

The relationship is "thing to its usual color." pumpkin → orange, so snow → white.

Question 2Sentence Completion
The opposite of 'ancient' is ___.
  1. Aold
  2. Bmodern
  3. Ctired
  4. Dbroken
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: B

'Ancient' means very old, so its opposite is 'modern' (new).

Question 3Number Analogies
Find the missing number: 7 → 12 ; 11 → 16 ; 10 → ___
  1. A16
  2. B25
  3. C13
  4. D12
  5. E15
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: E

Each number increases by 5. 10 + 5 = 15.

Question 4Number Series
What number comes next? 6, 10, 14, 18, ___
  1. A25
  2. B23
  3. C44
  4. D22
  5. E19
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: D

The pattern adds 4 each time. 18 + 4 = 22.

Question 5Figure Matrices
A circle becomes a bigger circle. Following the same rule, a small square becomes a ___.
  1. Asmall square
  2. Bbigger square
  3. Csmall circle
  4. Dtriangle
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: B

The rule is 'make the shape bigger.' Applied to a small square → a bigger square.

Want to know if your child would pass the real thing?

The free CogAT diagnostic tests every section and shows a skill-by-skill readiness picture in minutes.

Start free diagnostic
Question 6Paper Folding
A square paper is folded in half once. How many layers of paper are there now?
  1. A1
  2. B2
  3. C3
  4. D4
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: B

Folding in half once creates 2 layers.

Question 7Verbal Classification
The three words below are alike in some way. Choose the word that belongs with them. careful cautious alert
  1. Asleepy
  2. Bcareless
  3. Cclumsy
  4. Dwatchful
  5. Ereckless
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: D

All three describe paying attention to stay safe, and so does watchful. The others are the opposite.

Question 8Number Puzzles
Use the equation to find the number that goes in place of the question mark. ? × 3 − 9 = 24
  1. A11
  2. B12
  3. C−1
  4. D17
  5. E5
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: A

Undo the steps in reverse: 24 + 9 = 33, then 33 ÷ 3 = 11. Check: 11 × 3 − 9 = 24.

Question 9Figure Classification

The three figures below are alike in one way. Which answer figure belongs with them?

  1. A
  2. B
  3. C
  4. D
  5. E
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: E

What the three figures share: every figure has a dot above it. E shares it too. The others don't: A solid black instead of the shared property; B the dot sits below instead of above; C no dot above it; D repeats an exemplar's shape but breaks the shared property.

Question 10Verbal Analogies
Complete the analogy: BUD is to FLOWER as CATERPILLAR is to ___
  1. Aplant
  2. Bchick
  3. Cbear
  4. Ddrummer
  5. Ebutterfly
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: E

The relationship is "what it grows or turns into." bud → flower, so caterpillar → butterfly.

CogAT FAQ

How many questions are on the real CogAT?

A full CogAT has 118–176 questions depending on level, split across the Verbal, Quantitative, and Nonverbal batteries. Younger levels have fewer questions with teacher-read instructions.

What score does my child need for a gifted program?

Most programs look for a composite around the 95th–98th percentile, but cutoffs vary by district — check your program's exact requirement.

Are these real CogAT questions?

No — they're original practice questions written to match the CogAT's question types, difficulty, and pacing. Real test items are confidential; anyone selling 'real questions' should be avoided.

More free CogAT practice

KindergartenGrade 1Grade 2Grade 4Grade 5Grade 6Grade 7Grade 8🖨️ Printable Grade 3 pack (PDF) →Parent's guide to the CogAT →

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