MAP & CogAT Bundle Pack

Both the CogAT and NWEA MAP are used by primary and elementary schools across the nation. Often, the CogAT is used for admissions into gifted programs, while the MAP is used as a means of measuring a student’s own personal academic progress. However, in recent years, the MAP has become used more and more as a means of gifted and talented scouting and it is therefore highly recommended to prepare for this test as well.

The CogAT contains approximately 118-176 questions, depending on grade level. Levels of the test are titled based on age. For example, since most students in 5th grade are eleven years old or younger, the 5th Grade CogAT is known as CogAT Form 7 Level 11. The CogAT contains three sections: Verbal, nonverbal, and quantitative.

The MAP is an assessment exam designed to track a child’s academic progress on a personal level, using a scale known as the RIT Scale. In addition, the test gives teachers an idea of where a child is struggling most and least compared to other students and whether or not he or she is prepared for the upcoming school year. The test generally contains three sections: math, language usage, and reading.

Preparing for two tests at once can feel daunting. Therefore, we’ve put together a list of tips to help you with your prepping process.

• Take initial sample tests for each of the exams. Before embarking on the studying process with your child, it may be worthwhile taking some sample tests to see where your child’ struggles are and where s/he feels most confident. Luckily, TestPrep-Online offers free sample questions for both MAP and CogAT. Have a look!

• Schedule with both test and section in mind. Remember: The MAP and CogAT are two separate tests with two separate formats. This means that the CogAT math questions may be considerably different from the MAP math questions. Avoid confusion for your child by making sure that you deal with one test at a time, even if you may be tempted to do otherwise.
• Stick to your schedule. Once you know where your child’s struggles are most prominent and what tests and test section to prioritize, you can begin putting together a schedule. At this point, we highly recommend being strict with the timetable you choose, so as not to get carried away by one topic, and avoiding another.
• Keep your child SEN-tered. Sleep. Exercise, and Nutrition are vital ingredients to a successful study plan. Keeping your child well-fueled and well-energized will boost his or her focusing skills and ensure far more productive outcomes from his or her learning and revision process.
• Take small breaks. A child’s attention span is limited. While this is completely natural, it can also be rather frustrating. Therefore, we recommend regular short breaks during the studying process. Small breaks within and in between study sessions are a great way to ensure that your child has a chance to refresh his or her brain before lunging back into gear.
• Take long breaks. Especially when switching from one test to the other, a short break may not be enough time for your child to get back into focus mode. It’s therefore important that you give your child the appropriate amount of time to rewind and refresh the mind in preparation for the new topics left to cover.
• Incorporate fun and varied activities. Although the classic methods of studying (i.e. practice tests, books, and note-taking), should not be overlooked when preparing for the MAP and CogAT, in order to keep the studying vibe an ongoing thing it is highly recommended to add some fun elements to the prepping as well. This can include activities that have to do with the subjects you are working on. Incorporate measurement when baking or knitting, and vocabulary when watching a film and/or reading
• Encourage question-asking. We recommend playing the question game with your child: During each studying session, challenge your child to come up with three questions. This will instill active learning and help keep your child stay focused for longer periods of time.
• Practice with full practice tests. If you’ve finished with our free sample tests and don’t know where to turn, you may want to give our CogAT & MAP Bundle Pack a go. Our packs for 3rd grade and 5th grade offer all our CogAT and MAP practice material combined!

Over the years, the CogAT and MAP have become increasingly popular in their use for academic aptitude and Gifted & Talented assessment among private and independent schools. If you are not sure about your child’s future or current academic testing methods, it is worthwhile preparing him or her for the MAP and CogAT, as both these tests are quite common.