PGCPS TAG & CogAT Testing — Parent FAQs
Key dates for PGCPS families
- August 26, 2026–January 15, 2027: Parent TAG screening request window - Parents may submit a written request for TAG screening to the school's TAG coordinator or counselor.
- October 2026: Grade 1 OLSAT - All Grade 1 students take the OLSAT. The exact date is set by each school.
- December 2026: Grade 4 and new Grade 5 CogAT - All Grade 4 students who are not already TAG-identified take the CogAT. New Grade 5 registrants also take the CogAT. The exact date is set by each school.
- November 1, 2026: TAG Center Specialty Program lottery opens - The TAG Center Specialty Program lottery opens.
- March 12, 2027: TAG Center lottery deadline - Deadline for the TAG Center lottery. Students must be identified for TAG services by this date for 2027–28 placement.
Each school sets the exact testing date within the district testing window. Always confirm details with your child’s school.
Who Takes the CogAT?
All Grade 4 students who are not already identified for TAG services.
New Grade 5 students entering PGCPS without current cognitive ability data.
Some other students may be tested when current data is unavailable or further screening is needed.
How Does TAG Identification Work?
A CogAT or OLSAT score does not determine eligibility by itself. Students who meet the district's screening threshold are reviewed using multiple measures, including cognitive ability scores, academic achievement, report card grades, and teacher observations.
Students scoring at or above the district's published screening threshold are automatically considered for the full TAG review. Parents and teachers may also nominate students for screening.
For more information, visit the PGCPS TAG Identification and Screening page.
What Happens if My Child Is Identified?
Every elementary school offers TAG services through one of several models. Depending on the school, students may receive differentiated instruction in the regular classroom, attend a weekly pull-out program, or apply to a full-day TAG Center.
TAG Centers provide faster-paced, enriched instruction in reading, mathematics, science, and social studies, with additional opportunities for research, problem-solving, and advanced learning. TAG identification is required to apply, but placement depends on the lottery, home address, and available seats.
What Does the CogAT Measure?
The CogAT measures how students reason and solve unfamiliar problems in three areas:
- Verbal reasoning: word relationships, analogies, and classification
- Quantitative reasoning: number patterns, relationships, and problem-solving
- Nonverbal reasoning: figure patterns, visual analogies, and spatial relationships
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
How to Prepare for PGCPS CogAT Testing
Help your child prepare for the CogAT by building broad reasoning skills rather than memorizing a single question type.
- Practice verbal, quantitative, and nonverbal reasoning questions regularly.
- Help your child become comfortable with unfamiliar question types and directions.
- Review missed questions so your child understands the reasoning behind the correct answer.
- Use occasional timed practice to build focus, pacing, and confidence.
Practicing daily or every other day makes test-taking second nature to your child
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Test Preparation Journey
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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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Quick FAQs
Does PGCPS use the CogAT? Yes. PGCPS uses the CogAT for universal Grade 4 testing and for new Grade 5 registrants.
Does every fourth grader take it? All Grade 4 students who are not already identified for TAG services are tested.
Does a high CogAT score automatically qualify a student? No. PGCPS uses a multiple-criteria screening process that also considers achievement, grades, and teacher input.
When will my child take the test? Grade 4 CogAT testing is scheduled for December 2026, but each school sets its exact date.
Official PGCPS resources
Last reviewed: 2026-07-24
Help your child prepare for PGCPS testing
AceGiftedTest offers CogAT-style practice across verbal, quantitative, and nonverbal sections so students build familiarity with question formats before PGCPS TAG test day.
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 Prince George's County Public Schools (PGCPS). TAG identification, CogAT and OLSAT testing, lottery procedures, and placement policies are set by PGCPS and may change each school year. Families should verify details with their child's school and on official PGCPS websites.