CogAT Kindergarten key terms

Two or more things that match exactly in color, shape, size, or meaning. A child is asked to spot which pictures belong together because nothing about them is different.

The one item that does not fit with the others because some feature sets it apart. Children pick the picture that is not like the rest of the group.

Pairing two things that go together because they share a feature. The child draws a line or points to connect the matching pictures in a row.

Two items that belong together, such as a shoe and a sock or two identical shapes. Questions often ask which picture completes a pair.

Two things linked by how they are used or where they are found, such as a spoon and soup or a bird and a nest. Children choose the item that belongs with a given one.

A connection between two ideas based on real life, such as rain and umbrella. These links are learned from daily experience rather than from logic alone.

A group of things that share something in common, such as animals, toys, or foods. Children name the group or pick which item belongs in it.

Another word for a category, a set of items grouped by a shared feature. Questions may ask which picture belongs in the same class as the first three.

Putting items into groups based on a shared feature such as color, shape, or use. This skill underlies many classification questions on the test.

The item in a group that does not share the feature the others have. The child must explain or simply select the picture that is unlike the rest.

A comparison stating that two pairs relate in the same way, as in hand is to glove as foot is to sock. Children complete the second pair after seeing the first.

An analogy shown with images instead of words, such as a picture of a dog next to a bone, then a cat next to a blank. The child picks the picture that fits the same relationship.

The way two things are connected, such as part to whole, parent to baby, or tool to user. Naming the link helps a child choose the right answer.

A word or picture that means the reverse of another, such as hot and cold or up and down. Children pick the picture that shows the opposite idea.

The formal word for an opposite, a word with a meaning contrary to another word. Kindergarten questions usually show opposites with pictures rather than printed words.

A word that means nearly the same as another, such as happy and glad. At this level the idea is usually tested with pictures of similar actions or objects.

A task where a short sentence has a missing word and the child picks the picture that best finishes the idea. The choice must make sense with the rest of the sentence.

The words or pictures around a blank that hint at the right answer. Children use clues in the rest of the sentence to choose a sensible picture.

A detail in a question that points toward the correct answer. Good test takers look for clues in colors, sizes, positions, and the words already given.

Items arranged in a fixed order that follows a rule, such as growing size or repeating colors. The child finds what comes next in the series.

A line of pictures or shapes that change in a regular way, step by step. The task is to continue the series by choosing the picture that keeps the rule going.

A repeated or growing arrangement that follows a rule, such as red, blue, red, blue. Recognizing the rule lets a child predict what comes next.

A list of numbers that change by a steady rule, such as counting up by ones or twos. The child says or picks the number that comes next.

Saying numbers in order while matching each number to one object. This skill is the base for quantity questions and for comparing groups of pictures.

How many items are in a group. Children compare amounts, such as which basket holds more apples or fewer blocks.

The larger amount when two groups are compared. A child points to the picture that shows a greater number of objects.

The smaller amount when two groups are compared. Children choose the group that has less of something, such as fewer birds than trees.

The written symbol for a number, such as 3 or 7. Kindergarten questions may show numerals alongside dots or pictures to be matched.

Joining two groups to find the total. At this level it is shown with pictures, such as two apples plus three apples makes how many.

Taking some away from a group to find what is left. Picture problems show items being removed and ask how many remain.

The outline or form of a figure, such as a circle, square, or triangle. Children match, name, and complete shapes in the nonverbal sections.

A named shape with set properties, such as a triangle with three sides or a square with four equal sides. Questions test recognizing these by sight and by feature.

A feature used to describe an item, such as color, size, shape, or number. Many puzzles change one attribute at a time to build a rule.

Turning a shape around a point without flipping it over. Children decide whether a turned shape is the same figure or a different one.

A mirror image of a shape, also called a reflection. The figure keeps its size but faces the opposite direction.

Thinking about where things are, how they move, and how they fit together in space. It supports puzzles about turning, folding, and completing pictures.

A problem where the child must find the piece or picture that completes a larger whole. These items test visual reasoning without needing words or numbers.

A visual task where a sheet is folded, a hole is punched, and the child predicts what the paper looks like when unfolded. It tests mental folding and symmetry.

A balanced arrangement where one half mirrors the other across a line. Children complete a half-drawn picture by choosing its matching half.