Quantitative Battery
CogAT Number Puzzles, Explained
An equation with a missing amount must balance — early grades show it as objects on a scale or in a train, later as symbols. It measures understanding that the equals sign means both sides are the same amount.
A worked example
Example: ? + 3 = 7. What is the missing number? (3, 4, 5, 10)
Show the answer and reasoning
Answer: 4
Read the equals sign as a balance: something plus 3 must weigh the same as 7. Count up from 3 to 7 — four steps. The trap is 10 (adding the numbers you can see instead of balancing the sides).
An original Archer Anthem illustration of the format — on the assessment these appear as pictures for young test-takers.
Common mistakes
- Adding all visible numbers instead of treating the two sides as a balance
- Guessing instead of counting up (or back) between the known numbers
Parent tip: A real balance scale — or just your two hands as pans — makes the equals sign physical. "What keeps it level?" is the whole subtest.
The other CogAT subtests
Start from the beginning: the CogAT parent's guide · NNAT vs CogAT
CogAT practice books
Get free printable practice samples
Sample pages from our practice books by email — see the question style before you buy anything.
Get free samplesNNAT® (Naglieri Nonverbal Ability Test®) is a registered trademark of Pearson Education, Inc. CogAT® (Cognitive Abilities Test™) is a registered trademark of Riverside Assessments, LLC. Neither Pearson nor Riverside is affiliated with, nor do they endorse, Archer Anthem. Archer Anthem materials are independent practice resources in the style of these assessments.