CogAT Verbal key terms

A comparison stating that two pairs of things relate in the same way, often written A is to B as C is to D. Solving one means naming the relationship in the first pair and applying it to the second.

The specific link between two words or objects, such as part-to-whole, cause and effect, or category and member. Naming it precisely is the core skill in analogy questions.

A task in which several words or pictures are given and the solver picks the one that does not belong with the rest. The shared feature of the majority defines the rule.

The single item in a group that lacks the feature shared by all the others. Finding it requires testing each candidate against a rule that fits the majority.

A class or group whose members share a defining feature, such as tools, mammals, or vehicles. Category membership is one of the most common relationships tested in verbal items.

A relationship in which one item is a component of the other, as a wheel is part of a car. It is one of the most frequent analogy links and can run in either direction.

The reverse of part to whole: the first item names the larger object and the second names one of its components, as tree is to branch. Direction matters when matching an analogy's second pair.

The purpose or use of an object, such as a knife for cutting. Function links are common in analogies and classification items, where tools are grouped by what they do.

A relationship showing that one word is a stronger or weaker version of another, as warm relates to hot. The two pairs in the analogy must match in both direction and intensity.

A word that means nearly the same thing as another word, such as begin and start. Synonym pairs are frequent in verbal classification and sentence completion items.

A word that means the opposite of another word, such as expand and shrink. Opposite pairs often anchor analogy items, and the direction of opposition must be preserved.

A task in which one or more words are missing from a sentence and the solver chooses the option that makes the sentence logical and grammatically sound. Both meaning and fit matter.

Information elsewhere in a sentence or passage that hints at the meaning of an unknown word. Contrast words, examples, and definitions in the text all serve as clues.

The feeling or attitude a word carries beyond its literal meaning, such as the difference between thrifty and stingy. Items may test whether a choice fits the tone of a sentence.

The literal, dictionary meaning of a word, separate from any emotional shading. Distinguishing it from connotation helps when two answer choices are close in sense.

The ability to understand and analyze language-based information, including word relationships, analogies, and passage meaning. It is the skill set measured by the verbal battery of the test.

A sequence of numbers following a hidden rule, where the solver supplies the next term or a missing term. Rules may involve adding, multiplying, alternating operations, or squares.

A number pattern in which each term changes by the same added or subtracted amount, such as 3, 7, 11, 15. The constant difference is the key to predicting later terms.

A number pattern in which each term is multiplied or divided by the same factor, such as 2, 6, 18, 54. Spotting the constant ratio reveals the next term.

A repeating or rule-governed arrangement of numbers, shapes, or symbols that lets a solver predict what comes next. Finding the rule is the goal of every series item.

A number relationship stated as A is to B as C is to D, where one value is missing. The solver finds the operation linking the first pair and applies it to the second.

An equation stating that two ratios are equal, such as 3/4 = 9/12. Recognizing proportional relationships supports both quantitative analogies and word problems.

A comparison of two quantities by division, expressing how many times one contains the other. Ratios appear in word problems and in number-pattern items with paired values.

A ratio that compares quantities of different units, such as miles per hour or cost per item. Rate problems test whether a solver can scale a relationship up or down.

A mathematical statement that two expressions are equal, often containing an unknown value to solve for. Setting up an equation translates a word problem into computable form.

A letter or symbol standing for an unknown or changing number in an expression or equation. Isolating it is the standard route to a solution.

A combination of numbers, variables, and operations without an equals sign, such as 3x + 5. It can be simplified or evaluated but not solved as an equation.

The sum of a set of values divided by the number of values, also called the mean. Many quantitative items ask for a missing value given the average of a group.

The result of adding two or more numbers together. Sum-based puzzles often hide a rule in which groups of numbers add to a constant total.

The ability to work with numbers, quantities, and mathematical relationships to solve problems. It is the skill set measured by the quantitative battery of the test.

A nonverbal item presenting two related shapes and asking which shape completes a second pair in the same way. The link may involve rotation, size, shading, or added parts.

A nonverbal task in which several shapes share a feature and one does not, or in which a new shape must join the matching group. Features include sides, symmetry, shading, and position.

A change applied to a shape, such as sliding, flipping, turning, or resizing. Identifying which transformation links two figures is central to nonverbal items.

A turn of a figure around a fixed point by a certain angle, without flipping it. Tracking the angle and direction of turn solves many figure analogy items.

A mirror-image flip of a figure across a line, producing a reversed but congruent shape. It differs from rotation because the orientation of the figure is mirrored.

A slide of a figure to a new position without turning, flipping, or resizing it. Recognizing pure movement helps rule out options that change a shape's orientation.

A property in which a figure can be divided so that one half mirrors the other, or turned and still look the same. Symmetry often separates the shapes that belong from those that do not.

A nonverbal task showing a sheet folded and punched, then asking what the unfolded sheet looks like. The solver must mirror each hole across every fold line.

The ability to solve problems using shapes, patterns, and spatial relationships rather than words or numbers. It is the skill set measured by the nonverbal battery of the test.