One-Time Class: Gifted and Talented Test Practice (CogAT-Style Puzzles)

Many children meet gifted and talented screening tests without ever having seen the puzzle types before. This one-time class is a gentle, playful introduction so the formats feel familiar and children walk in feeling curious rather than nervous.

The class follows the three broad areas used on tests like the CogAT. In the verbal part, children solve picture analogies and find the picture that does not belong. In the quantitative part, they work with number trains, balance puzzles and simple patterns. In the nonverbal part, they explore shape matrices and paper folding.

Every puzzle is original and written in the style of these tests; no official test questions are used. Along the way, children learn three simple habits: look at every answer choice, say the rule out loud and check that the rule works for every piece.

Creativity is encouraged throughout. Children are invited to explain unusual answers, and at the end each child designs a mini puzzle for a classmate. Families receive a short take-home puzzle page to keep practising together.

This class does not predict or promise any test result. It builds familiarity, reasoning habits and confidence with the question types.

How classes work

The teacher shows one example of each puzzle type on screen, then children solve several together, explaining their thinking aloud or by holding up answer cards. The class ends with each child creating a puzzle for a friend.

What we'll cover

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  Part 1: Verbal Puzzles – Picture analogies and finding which one does not belong.

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  Part 2: Quantitative Puzzles – Number trains, balance puzzles and simple number patterns.

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  Part 3: Nonverbal Puzzles – Shape matrices and paper folding.

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  Part 4: Puzzle Habits and Make Your Own – Three smart habits and a puzzle to share.

No preparation needed. Children should be able to count to 20 and recognise basic shapes.