Tests

What tests do you use?

Cognitive Tests

Cognitive ability tests measures how students process information to reach a solution, and results are based upon each student’s level of cognitive development. Cognitive ability tests measure general and specific reasoning skills in three areas: verbal, quantitative and non-verbal/spatial reasoning. Questions require reasoning skills and are not academic in nature.

Cognitive Abilities Test 7/8 (CogAT 7/8)

For Grades 1, 3 – 11

The Cognitive Abilities Test 7/8 measures general and specific reasoning abilities in three areas. This assessment includes the following subtests:

Verbal – The CogAT Verbal Battery is used to assess a student’s vocabulary, efficiency and verbal memory, ability to determine word relationships, and the ability to comprehend ideas. The CogAT Verbal test is comprised of three subtests. For lower levels, these subtests are: Sentence Completion, Picture Classification, and Picture Analogies. For higher levels, these three subtests are: Sentence Completion, Verbal Classification, and Verbal Analogies. These three subtests combined make up the CogAT Verbal score.
Nonverbal – The CogAT Nonverbal Battery is used to assess a student’s reasoning abilities through the use of spatial and figural content. There is no reading required to complete the CogAT Nonverbal test. These three subtests are: Figure Matrices, Paper Folding, and Figure Classification. These three subtests combined make up the CogAT Nonverbal score.
Quantitative – The CogAT Quantitative Battery assesses students’ quantitative reasoning and problem solving abilities. This section evaluates the students’ level of abstract reasoning. The CogAT Quantitative Battery is comprised of three subtests: Number Series, Number Puzzles, and Number Analogies. These three subtests combined make up the CogAT Quantitative score.

The CogAT is computer-based. The test is proctor paced and audio-led. Instructions will be delivered individually to students via the computer (audio-led) which is why headphones are required. Students will answer questions on touch-screen computers.
CogAT Sample Test Items (PDF)

CogAT 7/8 Testing Level

Listed below is the test level that we use for your child’s current grade (testing in winter) or for the grade that your child just completed (testing in summer). Please note that the table below represents a test level one grade level above the grade of enrollment. Each subtest is timed at 10 minutes. A small break is given after each battery (three 10 minute subtests).

Grade	Level	Method
1	8	Computer-based, paced* *up to 15 minutes each subtest
3	10	Computer-based, timed
4	11	Computer-based, timed
5	12	Computer-based, timed
6	13	Computer-based, timed
7	14	Computer-based, timed
8	15	Computer-based, timed
9	16	Computer-based, timed
10	17	Computer-based, timed
11	18	Computer-based, timed

CogAT Form 7/8 Batteries

Battery	Subtests
Verbal	Picture/Verbal Analogies Sentence Completion Picture/Verbal Classification
Quantitative	Number Analogies Number Series Number Puzzles
Nonverbal	Figure Matrices Figure Classifications Paper Folding

Naglieri General Abilities Test (NGAT)

For Grades K, 2

Naglieri General Abilities Test (NGAT) is a cognitive abilities test utilized for advanced universal learning screening. The NGAT is very similar to the CogAT as it measures quantitative, verbal and non-verbal reasoning skills using a series of batteries. For more information on the NGAT, please visit the Naglieri Website.

The most innovative aspect of the Naglieri General Ability Tests, is the way the authors have structured the interaction between the student and the test. To eliminate the need for the student to verbally explain the answers, the student selects a picture that indicates their response. These procedures allow students to solve the test questions regardless of what language(s) they know. Making the test questions for all three tests accessible regardless of what language the student speaks was accomplished by using pictures and diagrams to measure general ability within verbal, nonverbal and quantitative contexts.

The NGAT is computer-based. The test is proctor paced. Students will answer questions on touch-screen computers.
NGAT Sample Test Items (PDF)

NGAT Testing Level

The NGAT is administered at grade level. Each test starts out with easier questions and increases in difficulty as students’ progress through the questions. Each test (verbal, non-verbal and quantitative) is considered its own unique test (no subtests). There are 40 questions per test. Students in grades K – 2 have 30 minutes for each test.

Grade	Method
K	Computer-based, timed
2	Computer-based, timed

Achievement Tests

The Star Assessments and Iowa Assessments measure skills that are taught and practiced in school.

Star Assessments

For Grades 3 – 8 Reading
For Grades 2 – 8 Mathematics

Students in K and 1st going through the referral or universal screening process may be asked to take Star Math. If the school does not provide it, we will administer it.

The Star Assessments are used to measure reading and math achievement. Star Assessments are computer-based and adaptive, which adjusts the difficulty of questions throughout the assessment based upon students’ responses. Star is highly rated in regard to reliability, validity, and generalizability, especially for diverse populations. This assessment includes the following subtests:

Reading – The program uses traditional reading comprehension passages to assess forty-six reading skills across eleven domains. The assessment consists of approximately thirty questions. Students are tested on foundational reading skills, literature components, reading informational text, and language. Students have one minute to answer each question before the program automatically moves them to the next question. The program is adaptive, so the difficulty will increase or decrease based on how a student performs.
Star Reading Sample Test Items (PDF)
Mathematics – The program assesses 49 sets of math skills in 11 domains for grades one through eight. The domains include counting and cardinality, ratios and proportional relationships, operations and algebraic thinking, the number system, geometry, measurement and data, expressions and equations, numbers and operations in base 10, fractions, statistics and probability, and functions. Students have one minute to answer each question before the program automatically moves them to the next question. The program is adaptive, so the difficulty will increase or decrease based on how a student performs.
Star Math Sample Test Items (PDF)

The Star is computer-based. The test is proctor paced and audio-led. Instructions will be delivered individually to students via the computer (audio-led) which is why headphones are required. Students will answer questions on touch-screen computers.

Star Testing Level

The Star is administered at grade level, because it is adaptive, thus moving students to higher level questions based upon successful completion of grade level questions. Each subtest (Reading and Mathematics) is timed at 30 minutes for students in grades K – 8.

Because the Star is a classroom-based assessment, it is given at the discretion of the classroom teacher and building ITCL. The exact date and time is determined by the school/teacher. Parents will not be notified by the Advanced Learning Department when the Star test will be administered to your student.

Advanced Learning collects score data from the two most recent Star test events, administered at the school, if available.

BSD students in grades 3 – 5 take Star Reading in the Fall, Winter and Spring of each year. Students in grades 6 – 8 take it in the Fall and Spring of each year.

BSD students in grades 2 – 5 take the Star Math in the Fall, Winter and Spring of each year. Students in grades 6 – 8 take it in the Fall and Spring of each year.

The Star Reading and Math Assessments will be administered to private/home-school students in grades 1 – 8 on their assigned test date.

Iowa Assessments

For Grades 9 – 11

The Iowa Assessments are used to measure reading and math achievement. The Iowa is administered at one grade level above the student’s grade of enrollment. This assessment includes the following subtests:

Reading – Reading includes the following sub-categories, each progressing in difficulty as test levels increase:
- Literary Text
- Informational Text
- Vocabulary
- Explicit Meaning
- Implicit Meaning
- Key Ideas
- Author’s Craft
Mathematics – The Mathematics subtest contains these same sub-categories in every level:
- Number Sense and Operations
- Algebraic Patterns and Connections
- Data Analysis, Probability, & Statistics
- Geometry
- Measurement

The Iowa is computer-based. The test is proctor paced and audio-led. Instructions will be delivered individually to students via the computer (audio-led) which is why headphones are required. Students will answer questions on touch-screen computers.

Learn more on the Riverside Insights Website.

Iowa Testing Level

Listed below is the test level that we use for your child’s current grade (testing in winter) or for the grade that your child just completed (testing in summer). Please note that the table below represents a test level one grade level above the grade of enrollment. Each subtest (Reading and Mathematics) is timed at 40 minutes for students in grades 9 – 11. A small break is given after each subtest.

Grade	Level	Method
9	16	Computer-based, timed
10	17	Computer-based, timed
11	18	Computer-based, timed