CogAT key terms

A comparison stating that one pair of words relates in the same way as a second pair, so the missing word can be found by matching the relationship, not the meaning.

The specific link between two words, such as part-to-whole, cause-to-effect, or category-to-member, that must be identified before choosing an answer in an analogy.

A short sentence written to link the first pair of words, then tested on the answer choices; it makes the underlying relationship explicit and easy to compare.

Two words presented together whose connection must be described; in analogy items the stem pair sets the pattern the answer pair must follow.

A verbal task listing several words that share a hidden category, where the candidate must pick the word that does not belong or select the concept linking the rest.

A group defined by shared features, such as animals that fly or tools used for cutting; recognizing the category is the core skill in verbal classification and sorting tasks.

The item in a list that fails to share the property common to the others; finding it requires testing each word against a candidate category.

A word with nearly the same meaning as another, such as 'brief' and 'short'; synonym items test whether the candidate can match words by meaning rather than by sound.

A word with the opposite meaning of another, such as 'expand' and 'shrink'; antonym items require recognizing contrast relationships among answer choices.

The meaning a word carries inside a particular sentence, which may differ from its most common dictionary sense; context clues decide the intended reading.

A verbal item in which one or more words are missing from a sentence and the candidate chooses the option that makes the sentence logical and grammatically sound.

A word, phrase, or punctuation mark near a blank that hints at the missing word's meaning, such as a contrast signal like 'although' or a definition set off by commas.

The ability to work with words and ideas, including spotting relationships, drawing conclusions from text, and using language to solve problems rather than simply recalling definitions.

A sequence of numbers following a rule, such as adding 3 each step or doubling; the candidate must infer the rule and supply the next or missing term.

A series in which the same amount is added or subtracted at each step, for example 4, 9, 14, 19; the constant change is the rule to detect.

A series in which each term is multiplied or divided by the same factor, such as 2, 6, 18, 54; spotting the multiplier is the key step.

The fixed amount added between consecutive terms of an arithmetic sequence; finding it lets you predict any later term without listing every step.

The fixed multiplier linking consecutive terms of a geometric sequence, such as 3 in 1, 3, 9, 27; it defines how fast the series grows or shrinks.

The underlying operation or combination of operations that generates each term of a sequence, which may alternate, skip, or use two interleaved rules.

A sequence made of two or more alternating sub-series, so odd-positioned and even-positioned terms each follow their own rule; separating them reveals the pattern.

A quantitative item pairing two numbers whose relationship must be applied to a second pair, for example doubling then subtracting one.

The ability to reason with quantities and numerical relationships, including sequences, analogies, and word problems, rather than only performing routine computation.

A short scenario stated in sentences that must be translated into arithmetic or algebra before solving; the arithmetic itself is usually simple.

Deciding which arithmetic operation a problem calls for by reading cues such as 'total', 'each', 'left over', or 'shared equally' in the wording.

Approximating a value by rounding numbers to convenient amounts so an answer can be chosen quickly from options that differ substantially in size.

Replacing a number with a nearby simpler value, such as changing 487 to 500, to make mental arithmetic easier while keeping the result close to the true value.

Computing without paper by breaking numbers into parts, using known facts, or adjusting to round numbers; speed here frees time for reasoning items.

Removing options that clearly violate the rule or the sensible range of an answer, which raises the chance of a correct guess when time is short.

A nonverbal item showing two figures related by a transformation, then asking which option applies the same transformation to a third figure.

A change applied to a figure, such as rotation, reflection, resizing, or shading, that must be identified and repeated on a new figure.

Turning a figure around a fixed point by a set angle, which changes its orientation but not its size or shape; direction and amount must be tracked.

Flipping a figure across a line so it becomes a mirror image; unlike rotation, it reverses the left-right arrangement of asymmetric shapes.

A nonverbal task presenting several shapes that share a hidden feature, where the candidate must choose another shape with that same feature or identify the odd one.

Systematically checking countable or visible attributes of a figure, such as number of sides, closed regions, symmetry, or shading, to find the rule.

The property of a figure that can be folded or mirrored onto itself along a line; counting lines of symmetry often separates answer choices in nonverbal items.

A nonverbal item describing a sheet folded and punched, where the candidate must visualize the unfolded hole pattern, mirroring holes across each fold line.

The mental ability to rotate, fold, and assemble shapes in imagination, which underlies figure analogies, paper folding, and cube-counting tasks.

Solving problems using shapes, patterns, and spatial relationships instead of words or numbers, which reduces reliance on language background.

An answer choice designed to look plausible because it applies a nearly right rule, such as rotating the wrong direction, and must be ruled out by careful checking.