Understanding the ITBS + CogAT Combined
What’s the Difference Between the ITBS and CogAT—and Why Are They Often Used Together?
If your child is being evaluated for a gifted program, you may hear about the ITBS and CogAT tests. These assessments are often used together to provide a fuller picture of a student’s academic achievement and cognitive ability, helping schools make more accurate placement decisions.
The combination of the Iowa Tests of Basic Skills (ITBS) and the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) is a widely used method for evaluating both student achievement and cognitive ability. This pairing is especially common in school districts aiming to identify gifted and talented students through a more complete and equitable lens.
What Is the ITBS?
The Iowa Tests of Basic Skills (ITBS) measure a student’s academic progress in core subjects such as:
Reading
Language Arts
Mathematics
Science
Social Studies
This standardized achievement test is designed to assess how well students have learned grade-level content, and it’s often aligned with national and state standards.
What Is the CogAT?
The Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) measures reasoning and problem-solving skills across three main areas:
Verbal reasoning
Quantitative reasoning
Nonverbal reasoning
Rather than focusing on learned knowledge, CogAT evaluates a student’s cognitive development and potential for learning, providing insights into their ability to understand and process information.
Why Combine ITBS and CogAT?
When used together, the ITBS and CogAT provide a dual perspective:
ITBS shows what a student knows and can do academically.
CogAT reveals how a student thinks and learns.
This combination is especially beneficial for gifted program eligibility, as it allows schools to assess students beyond just grades and test scores. For instance, a student who may not have top academic performance due to language barriers or lack of formal instruction could still qualify as gifted based on a high CogAT score.
Benefits of the Combined Approach
Holistic evaluation: Merges achievement with ability for a well-rounded view.
Equity in identification: Helps identify giftedness in underrepresented populations.
Targeted instruction: Enables better matching of students to advanced learning programs.
Who Uses the ITBS + CogAT?
Many public and private schools across the U.S. use this combination in elementary and middle school grades. It is particularly popular for 2nd through 6th grade gifted screening processes.
You can take free practice tests for both the ITBS and CogAT on our site. These practice questions help students get familiar with the test format, reduce anxiety, and improve performance. Practicing both achievement and reasoning skills gives students a stronger chance of success during gifted program evaluations.
Understanding ITBS and CogAT Scores
ITBS Scores:
The Iowa Tests of Basic Skills (ITBS) results are typically reported as percentile ranks, grade equivalents, and standard scores. These scores show how a student compares to others nationwide in core academic subjects. For example, a percentile rank of 85 means the student scored better than 85% of peers.
CogAT Scores:
CogAT provides scores in three main areas—Verbal, Quantitative, and Nonverbal—along with a composite score known as the Cognitive Abilities Composite (CAC). The most common score used is the Standard Age Score (SAS), with an average of 100 and a standard deviation of 16. A SAS above 125 is often considered indicative of gifted potential.
Using Both Scores Together
When combined, ITBS and CogAT scores help schools:
Identify students who excel in academics, reasoning, or both.
Make balanced, data-driven decisions for gifted placement.
Recognize giftedness in students who may not perform as strongly in traditional academic tests alone.
Each district may set different score thresholds, but typically, a high CogAT score with above-average ITBS performance strengthens a student’s eligibility for gifted and talented programs.
Sample ITBS Question (Reading Comprehension - 3rd Grade)
Passage:
Anna watched the sky turn dark as clouds gathered. The wind picked up, and the trees began to sway. Suddenly, a flash of lightning lit up the sky.
Question:
What is most likely going to happen next?
A) Anna goes to bed
B) It starts to rain
C) The sun comes out
D) Anna eats lunch
Correct Answer: B) It starts to rain
Sample CogAT Question (Nonverbal – Figure Matrices)
Question:
Look at the pattern:
🔺 ➝ 🔷
⬛ ➝ ?
Which shape best completes the pattern?
A) 🔶
B) ⬤
C) 🔷
D) 🔺
Correct Answer: A) 🔶
FAQs About the ITBS + CogAT Combined Testing
Using both tests provides a more complete picture of a student’s academic achievement (ITBS) and reasoning ability (CogAT), helping schools identify gifted students more accurately.
Typically, students in grades 2 through 6 take the ITBS and CogAT as part of gifted or talent program screenings, though it varies by district.
Not always. Some districts accept high CogAT scores alone, while others require strong performance on both. The combination helps identify giftedness even in students who may struggle academically.
Encourage practice using free sample questions for both ITBS and CogAT. This helps students become familiar with test formats and build confidence.
Yes. Both ITBS and CogAT are timed, though time limits vary by section and grade level. Practicing under timed conditions is recommended.
Results guide decisions about gifted program eligibility, classroom placements, and sometimes instructional strategies tailored to individual learning needs.
