CogAT Testing at MCPS - Parent FAQs
Key dates for MCPS families
- Dec 1 – Jan 16: Grade 2 and Grade 4 CogAT - All grade 2 students and select grade 4 students take the CogAT during this district-wide window. Testing is conducted by MCPS at your child's school and is one criterion used for Accelerated and Enriched Instruction screening. Grade 2 families only need to submit an opt-out form if they do not want their child tested; otherwise, no action is required.
Testing windows and Accelerated and Enriched Instruction (AEI) identification procedures are published annually by MCPS and may change. Confirm the current school year's calendar on the MCPS website or with your child's school before making plans.
MCPS Accelerated and Enriched Instruction CogAT Testing Process
MCPS administers the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) as part of its Accelerated and Enriched Instruction (AEI) screening process. Testing is conducted by the school district at your child's school. CogAT results are one of several criteria MCPS uses to determine AEI eligibility and to guide enrichment and accelerated instruction.
MCPS Accelerated and Enriched Instruction CogAT Testing Process (Grade 2)
All grade 2 students in Montgomery County Public Schools participate in Accelerated and Enriched Instruction (AEI) screening during the second semester of the school year. Students will take the CogAT between December 1, 2025 and January 16, 2026 as one criterion for AEI identification. MCPS conducts testing at your child's school. Families only need to submit a CogAT opt-out form if they do not want their child tested; otherwise, no action is required.
What if my child qualifies for Accelerated and Enriched Instruction?
Montgomery County Public Schools provides a continuum of Accelerated and Enriched Instruction (AEI) for highly able students. Identified students may receive differentiated instruction and advanced-level coursework at their local school.
Depending on interest and talent, students may also participate in Centers for Enriched Studies in elementary school, enriched courses in middle school, or magnet and specialized programs at the secondary level. MCPS uses screening data—including CogAT results—to inform Accelerated and Enriched Instruction (AEI) placement and instructional recommendations for the following school year.
For more information, visit the MCPS Accelerated and Enriched Instruction page.
CogAT Testing Format
The CogAT assesses your child's cognitive development in three key areas: verbal, quantitative, and non-verbal abilities. Rather than focusing on academic knowledge, it evaluates reasoning skills that your child uses to solve problems and think critically.
Note: There are some variances in the testing format for students in grades 3 and up. If your child is in grades 3–5, click on the Level 3–5 tab below to learn more about the test format for those grades.
This section assesses your child's ability to understand and use language. It includes the following three sections:
Picture Analogies
Picture Classification
Sentence Completion
Which CogAT level should my child prepare for?
The CogAT level for each grade is determined by the school district. Based on recommendations from Riverside Insights, the following table shows typical CogAT levels for MCPS elementary grades involved in Accelerated and Enriched Instruction (AEI) screening:
| Grade | CogAT Level |
|---|---|
| Grade II | Level 8 |
| Grade IV | Level 10 |
Please confirm the correct CogAT level for your child with MCPS or your child's school before beginning preparation.
How to prepare for CogAT
“Practice not until you get it right, practice until you cannot get it wrong.”
- Take as many tests and practice as possible. One or two practice sessions are not enough. Practice regularly without long gaps—children forget—and the more full-length tests and questions your child completes, the fewer mistakes they are likely to make.
- Practice full-length timed tests to improve speed.
- Review weak or challenging questions and practice them more often to achieve mastery.
- Build confidence before test day.
Practicing daily or every other day makes test-taking second nature to your child
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Test Preparation Journey
Familiarization
Learning about the types of questions that are asked in the test.
Learning
Knowing how to approach the question and what makes an answer correct.
Proficiency
Improving speed to make sure the test is completed in time.
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Official MCPS resources
- MCPS — Accelerated and Enriched Instruction (AEI)
- MCPS — AEI Policy and Identification Process
- MCPS — AEI Frequently Asked Questions
- MCPS — Parent Resources for AEI
Last reviewed: 2026-07-24
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Get started with AceGiftedTestCognitive Abilities Test™ (CogAT®) is a registered trademark of Riverside Assessments, LLC. AceGiftedTest and its parent, Lumina Ed, are not affiliated with Riverside Insights, nor is the content on this site promoted or endorsed by Riverside or its affiliates.
AceGiftedTest and its parent company, Lumina Ed, are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS). CogAT testing, Accelerated and Enriched Instruction (AEI) identification, and enrichment programs are administered and determined by MCPS. Testing dates and policies may change each school year.