Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Identification, Testing & Assessment CogAt

I have read numerous times on this forum and others that the CogAt is not a favorite test and that it doesn't measure the correct skills to establish giftedness.

Does it have any appropriate use in the GT identification arena or is there a test that is Most or More acceptable?

What does the CogAt measure well? (if anything)

Great testing info link

http://www.hoagiesgifted.com/tests.htm

thanks!

I am not a fan and don't understand what it is used for. I have heard it referred to as the "group IQ test", whatever that means. My daughter's are always in the 80's and 90's, although FSIQ was 99+ %/

I think one reason some schools like group �iq� tests (and consider results more valid) is because they are so very standardized and educators have direct control and knowledge of the test conditions and resulting group ranking.

One reason schools don�t always easily accept outside testing is their suspicion that gifted level scores are available for purchase at the right price point. Even the more progressive schools near our area have lists of �approved� psychologists for outside testing rather than accepting test results from just anyone (PhD or not).

Our local public school district (last time I checked) only seemed to trust individual evaluations conducted by district employees (concerned about keeping their jobs) or group test results.

The reason why I asked about the validity is that DD scored VERY high and it seems that many GT kids do not. So are her scores more indicative of a "good test taker" or "Giften". Additionally what would be an appropriate individual test for her to measure IQ? or does it really matter? (I have to admit that I am curious!)

To reiterate what Dottie posted first;

Doing well on the CogAt likely indicates that your child is some level of gifted AND a good test taker. I don�t think it is uncommon for gifted kids to do less well than expected on group tests as many gifted people don�t like forced choices, among various possible reasons.

The Stanford-Binet or WISC are the real IQ tests as Dottie mentioned. It seems reasonable to follow the talent search model for achievement testing (give top 5-10% above level test) and kick it up a notch by using a cognitive assessment with more ceiling such as individual IQ test.

To save yourself possible grief and money, you may want to find out what/who the school accepts if you plan to share results.