Discrepancy between Cogat and NNAT2 scores mean anything?

[Anonymous]

We received the "in the pool" letter for DS, who's Cogat was 130 -- just made the cut. But his NNAT2 was 116. I don't think he is AAP material - just a good kid who listens well and is fairly smart. But I don't want to dismiss the center idea out of hand. However -- the discrepancy makes me wonder. Does anyone know if one test vs the other is more reliable, a better gauge of success, etc? Is that discrepancy telling us something? I realize he might not get in anyway, but we want to decide what we would prefer and whether we bother with the parent questionnaire. Any insight into what the two tests are measuring and how they (if they do) predict academic success would be great. TIA.

[Anonymous]

The NNAT2 (by Naglieri) is a nonverbal reasoning measure. The CogAT has three areas--Verbal, Nonverbal, and Quantitative. The overall composite score doesn't mean as much if the three area scores are significantly different (15 points or more). So, take a closer look at the SAS (standard age score) of each of those three sections. It's likely that the Nonverbal and/or Quantitative sections will be more in line with the NNAT2 (or possibly the Verbal as well--depends on the child).

[Anonymous]

Most of the kids in the AAP are not academically "gifted." Most are just bright children. Twelve to 15% of each grade are in the AAP. If you read on here, you will see that some kids get in with scores in the 115-120 range. So just because your child is not necessarily a genius doesn't mean he doesn't belong there. If you want him in the program or at least have the ability to put him in, then fill out the questionnaire. You can always decide that you don't want him to participate. Also 14 points is not that great of a discrepancy. I wouldn't worry about it.

[Anonymous]

The Cogat measures "ability/potential" and the NNAT measures "achievement". So one show potential and the other shows what he knows right now.
130 shows great potential for the ability to learn and think "outside the box" so definitely do not dismiss the program- it is great for kids that are on both ends of the spectrum.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The Cogat measures "ability/potential" and the NNAT measures "achievement". So one show potential and the other shows what he knows right now.
130 shows great potential for the ability to learn and think "outside the box" so definitely do not dismiss the program- it is great for kids that are on both ends of the spectrum.

Unless there's a section of the NNAT2 that hasn't been introducted in my school district, I believe you're incorrect about its being a measure of achievement.

[Anonymous]

My DC got a 130 on the CogAt and 124 on the NNAT2 and didn't make it in the pool. Interesting.

[Anonymous]

130 composite on the CogAt or 130 on a single subtest? Maybe the cutoff is just over 130 this year. You can always refer DC if you think it appropriate, regardless of score.

[Anonymous]

7:39 here - Composite CogAt was 130 and not in the pool.

[Anonymous]

I posted almost the exact same question last year. Our daughter scored very high on the on one and lower on the other. She is incredibly intelligent (I know as we had to do a battery of tests for ADHD). She has ADHD and for her, that really messes with her test scores. I am not saying your son has ADHD, but I know in our case there were extenuating circumstances.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:7:39 here - Composite CogAt was 130 and not in the pool.

You can refer.

[Anonymous]

Poster @18:20 I think you got it backwards.

The CogAT generally measures "achievement" and the NNAT measures "ability/potential." Though I'm guessing that the Non-verbal CogAT is close to the NNAT (but don't quote me on that).

My child had a lower score on NNAT than on CogAT. When I questioned it, I came to the conclusion that A.) NNAT was given before the CogAt, so it was my child's first ever test of this type. (I don't know which the kids took first this year.) And B.) NNAT is a timed test and CogAT is not. That would definitely impact my child's performance on a test, perhaps yours too.

If any single CogAT subtest or NNAT score is at or above the cutoff for the pool, then a child would be in the pool. The CogAT comprehensive score can be lower.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:7:39 here - Composite CogAt was 130 and not in the pool.

That sounds like a mistake because if the composite was 130, there had to be subscores over that. I'd call and ask.

[Anonymous]

I can say that one of the scores did not have to be higher than that. My DD has scores all in the low 130s and recd a 136 overall score. When I questioned this, I was told that if a child scores well on all the parts in a consistent manner, their overall score can be higher than any one subtest. The test assumes that being "well-rounded" (best way I can think of to phrase this) is important. I still think this is odd but say it happened with my child.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:7:39 here - Composite CogAt was 130 and not in the pool.

Please refer. I think the benchmark was 132 or so this year. At least one of the subset scores have to be 132 or higher.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:7:39 here - Composite CogAt was 130 and not in the pool.

Please refer. I think the benchmark was 132 or so this year. At least one of the subset scores have to be 132 or higher.

Do you mean that any subset score over 132 will qualify for the pool?