CAT4 Practice Questions With Answers: Verbal, Non-Verbal, Quantitative & Spatial Examples

If you are searching for CAT4 practice questions with answers, you are probably looking for something more useful than a generic worksheet or a list of random puzzles. You want to understand the kinds of questions your child may meet, how to approach them, and why one answer is right while another is wrong.

That matters because the CAT4 is not a traditional school test. It does not mainly assess what your child has memorised in English or maths. Instead, it measures reasoning. The questions are designed to see how well a child spots patterns, identifies relationships, and works out rules.

The best CAT4 practice questions are therefore not simply questions with an answer key attached. They are questions with explanations. Children improve more when they learn how the reasoning works than when they simply move on after getting an answer right or wrong.

What Makes CAT4 Questions Different?

Many parents expect CAT4 questions to feel similar to school maths or English work. In reality, they are often more unfamiliar. CAT4 questions are designed to measure how children think rather than what they already know.

The CAT4 is usually divided into four main areas:

• Verbal Reasoning
• Non-Verbal Reasoning
• Quantitative Reasoning
• Spatial Ability

Verbal Reasoning Practice Questions With Answers

Verbal reasoning questions test how well children understand relationships between words and ideas. They are not simply vocabulary tests. The aim is to recognise categories, patterns and logical links.

Question 1: Opposites

Which word means the opposite of “ancient”?

• A. Historic
• B. Old
• C. Modern
• D. Traditional

Answer: C. Modern

Explanation: The question is asking for the opposite meaning. “Ancient” means very old, so the opposite is “modern”.

Question 2: Word Relationship

Bird is to nest as bee is to:

• A. Flower
• B. Hive
• C. Honey
• D. Tree

Answer: B. Hive

Explanation: The relationship is between an animal and where it lives. A bird lives in a nest. A bee lives in a hive.

Question 3: Odd One Out

Which word is the odd one out?

• A. Apple
• B. Pear
• C. Carrot
• D. Orange

Answer: C. Carrot

Explanation: Apple, pear and orange are fruits. Carrot is a vegetable, so it does not belong in the same group.

Question 4: Complete the Sequence

Monday, Wednesday, Friday, ?

• A. Saturday
• B. Sunday
• C. Tuesday
• D. Thursday

Answer: B. Sunday

Explanation: The sequence skips one day each time: Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Sunday.

Quantitative Reasoning Practice Questions With Answers

Quantitative reasoning questions involve numbers, but they are more about logic than formal school maths. Children need to recognise patterns and relationships.

Question 9: Number Sequence

2, 4, 6, 8, ?

• A. 9
• B. 10
• C. 12
• D. 14

Answer: B. 10

Explanation: The numbers increase by 2 each time.

Question 10: Number Pattern

5, 10, 20, 40, ?

• A. 45
• B. 60
• C. 80
• D. 100

Answer: C. 80

Explanation: Each number is doubled.

Question 11: Missing Number

If 3 + 4 = 7, and 7 + 5 = 12, then 12 + 6 = ?

• A. 16
• B. 17
• C. 18
• D. 19

Answer: C. 18

Explanation: 12 + 6 = 18.

Question 12: Which Number Does Not Belong?

2, 4, 8, 16, 18, 32

• A. 8
• B. 16
• C. 18
• D. 32

Answer: C. 18

Explanation: The other numbers double each time: 2, 4, 8, 16, 32. The number 18 does not fit that pattern.

How CAT4 Questions Become Harder

Many children cope well with the easier CAT4-style examples, then become frustrated when the questions become more complicated. That is because CAT4 questions often increase difficulty in one of four ways:

• More than one rule is used at the same time
• The pattern changes direction or sequence unexpectedly
• Distractor answers are designed to look nearly right
• The question must be answered more quickly

For example, a simple non-verbal pattern may begin with one changing feature, such as a shape rotating. A harder version may include both rotation and shading changes at the same time.

Similarly, a simple verbal analogy may involve one obvious relationship. A harder question may involve more subtle vocabulary or a less familiar connection.

This is why explanation-led CAT4 practice is much more useful than simply counting scores. Children need to understand how the pattern changes as the difficulty level increases.

Spatial Reasoning Practice Questions With Answers

Spatial reasoning questions test how well children can imagine shapes moving, rotating or fitting together.

Question 13: 

Question 14: Folding

Question 15: Shape Rotation

Explanation: Spatial reasoning questions often require children to imagine the object moving mentally rather than relying on what they can see directly.

Question 16: Matching Views

Explanation: These questions test whether children can mentally change viewpoint and still recognise the same shape.

How to Use CAT4 Practice Questions More Effectively

The biggest mistake many families make is using CAT4 practice questions simply as a way to collect marks. Children often race through a page, check the score, and move on. That is not usually the most effective approach.

Instead, after each question, ask:

• What was the rule or pattern?
• Why was the answer correct?
• What made the wrong answers wrong?
• Would the child recognise the same pattern next time?

That is where the real learning happens. CAT4 improvement is often less about doing more questions and more about understanding the thinking behind them.

How to Build a Simple CAT4 Practice Routine

Most children do better with short, focused practice than with long sessions. A simple approach might be:

1. Choose one reasoning area at a time.
2. Complete 5 to 10 practice questions.
3. Discuss the explanations carefully.
4. Return to the same question type a few days later.
5. Gradually mix different question types together.

This helps children become more confident without feeling overwhelmed.

Frequently Asked Questions About CAT4 Practice Questions

Are these exactly the same as real CAT4 questions?

No. These examples are designed to reflect the broad style of CAT4 reasoning questions rather than reproduce exact test content.

Can children improve by practising CAT4 questions?

Children can often become more confident and more familiar with the style of reasoning used in CAT4. The aim is not memorisation, but understanding.

Which type of CAT4 question is hardest?

This varies by child. Some children find verbal reasoning hardest, while others find non-verbal or spatial tasks more difficult. The most useful approach is to identify the areas that feel less comfortable and practise those more carefully.

How many CAT4 questions should my child practise?

Quality is more important than quantity. A smaller number of questions with good explanations is usually more useful than a large number completed quickly.

Should I time CAT4 practice?

At first, focus on understanding. Once children feel more comfortable with the question types, it can be helpful to add gentle timing practice.

Final Thoughts

The best CAT4 practice questions with answers do more than give children something to complete. They help children understand how reasoning works. That is the key difference between useful CAT4 preparation and random worksheet practice.

If children learn to recognise the rules, relationships and patterns behind the questions, they are much more likely to feel calm and confident when they meet similar tasks in the real assessment.

10 More Worked CAT4 Examples

Below are ten additional CAT4-style examples with full explanations. These are designed to show not just the answer, but the kind of thinking children need to use.

Question 17: Verbal Analogy

Book is to read as music is to:

• A. Dance
• B. Listen
• C. Play
• D. Song

Answer: B. Listen

Explanation: The relationship is between an object and what you do with it. You read a book and listen to music.

Question 18: Verbal Classification

Which word does not belong?

• A. Train
• B. Bicycle
• C. Aeroplane
• D. Banana

Answer: D. Banana

Explanation: The first three are forms of transport. Banana is not.

Question 19: Non-Verbal Pattern

A black circle becomes a white circle. A black square becomes a white square. What should a black triangle become?

• A. White triangle
• B. Black triangle
• C. White square
• D. Black circle

Answer: A. White triangle

Explanation: The rule is that the shape stays the same, but the colour changes from black to white.

Question 20: Non-Verbal Rotation

An arrow points up, then right, then down. Which direction comes next?

• A. Up
• B. Left
• C. Right
• D. Down

Answer: B. Left

Explanation: The arrow rotates clockwise by 90 degrees each time.

Question 21: Quantitative Sequence

3, 6, 12, 24, ?

• A. 36
• B. 42
• C. 48
• D. 60

Answer: C. 48

Explanation: The sequence doubles each time.

Question 22: Quantitative Relationship

If 5 pencils cost £10, how much do 8 pencils cost?

• A. £12
• B. £14
• C. £16
• D. £18

Answer: C. £16

Explanation: Each pencil costs £2. Eight pencils therefore cost £16.

Question 23: Spatial Reasoning

Which shape could be made by folding this net?

Imagine a cross-shaped arrangement of six squares.

• A. Cube
• B. Pyramid
• C. Cylinder
• D. Cone

Answer: A. Cube

Explanation: A cube is formed from six square faces.

Question 24: Spatial Rotation

If the letter F is turned upside down, which of the following best matches the new position?

• A. F facing left
• B. F upside down
• C. F mirrored
• D. F unchanged

Answer: B. F upside down

Explanation: Rotation is different from reflection. The letter is turned, not mirrored.

Question 25: Verbal Sequence

January, March, May, ?

• A. June
• B. July
• C. August
• D. September

Answer: B. July

Explanation: The sequence moves forward by two months each time.

Question 26: Quantitative Logic

Which number comes next?

1, 4, 9, 16, ?

• A. 20
• B. 24
• C. 25
• D. 36

Answer: C. 25

Explanation: These are square numbers: 1², 2², 3², 4², so the next is 5² = 25.

CAT4 by Year Group

Many parents search for CAT4 questions without realising that the style of practice often needs to vary slightly by age and school year. Although the underlying reasoning skills remain broadly the same, the level of challenge, vocabulary and complexity usually increases as children get older.

Years 4–5

For younger children, the best CAT4 preparation usually focuses on building familiarity with the basic reasoning types. At this stage:

• Verbal questions often use simpler vocabulary
• Non-verbal patterns are usually shorter and more obvious
• Quantitative questions involve straightforward number patterns
• Spatial questions often involve basic rotation and simple nets

At this age, confidence is more important than speed. Children benefit from discussing why an answer is correct rather than rushing through large numbers of questions.

Years 6–7

By Years 6 and 7, CAT4 questions often become more complex. Children may meet:

• Longer verbal analogies and more difficult vocabulary
• Patterns involving more than one change at once
• Number sequences with more subtle rules
• Harder spatial tasks involving several folds or rotations

This is often the point where some children begin to lose confidence. They may understand the easier questions, but struggle once the reasoning becomes less obvious. The best support at this stage is explanation-led practice that helps them recognise the different types of rule.

Year 8 and Above

For Year 8 pupils and older children, CAT4 preparation usually needs to be more targeted and more realistic. Questions are often designed to feel less familiar and may involve several stages of reasoning at once.

Older pupils often benefit from:

• More difficult verbal relationships and classification tasks
• Complex non-verbal patterns with multiple rules
• Harder numerical reasoning and multi-step logic
• Advanced spatial tasks that require stronger visualisation

If your child is preparing for Year 8 CAT4 assessments, it is usually better to use year-specific materials rather than generic CAT4 worksheets.

Need Year 8-specific CAT4 support?

Older pupils often need more demanding examples and clearer explanation.

See our Year 8 CAT4 practice guide

How Schools Use CAT4 Results

Many parents complete CAT4 practice questions because they know the assessment is important, but they are not always told exactly how schools use the results.

In practice, schools may use CAT4 data in several different ways.

1. Understanding a Child’s Reasoning Profile

Schools often use CAT4 to understand whether a child appears stronger in verbal, non-verbal, quantitative or spatial reasoning. This can help teachers understand how a child learns best.

For example:

• A child with stronger verbal reasoning may respond well to discussion and explanation.
• A child with stronger spatial reasoning may find diagrams and visual learning more useful.

2. Comparing Reasoning With School Performance

Schools sometimes compare CAT4 results with classroom attainment.

If a child’s CAT4 reasoning profile is much stronger than their school results, teachers may wonder whether confidence, motivation or organisation is holding them back.

If school attainment is stronger than CAT4 performance, the child may be benefiting from excellent teaching, persistence and good study habits.

Neither pattern is necessarily a problem. CAT4 is usually most useful when it encourages better questions rather than simple conclusions.

3. Identifying Support or Stretch

Schools may use CAT4 results to identify pupils who could benefit from:

• extra support in one reasoning area
• additional challenge or extension work
• discussion with parents about learning style
• further monitoring over time

4. Grouping and Setting

Some schools may also consider CAT4 when making broader decisions about setting or grouping. However, good schools usually avoid relying on CAT4 alone. They are more likely to use it alongside teacher judgement, school performance and wider context.

5. Looking Beyond One Number

One of the biggest mistakes is assuming that a single CAT4 score tells the whole story. Most schools are more interested in the overall pattern.

They may ask:

• Which reasoning area is strongest?
• Which is weakest?
• Does the profile match what teachers observe in class?
• Does the child think more comfortably in words, numbers, shapes or spatial images?

That is why CAT4 results are usually more helpful when read as a profile rather than as a competition between children.

Common CAT4 Mistakes

Many children do not struggle with CAT4 because they lack ability. They struggle because they make the same common mistakes again and again.

If parents understand these mistakes, they can help children prepare more effectively.

1. Rushing Too Quickly

Many children see an unfamiliar question and immediately guess. This is especially common in non-verbal and quantitative reasoning.

Encourage children to pause and ask:

• What is changing?
• What stays the same?
• What rule connects the examples?

2. Focusing on Only One Part of the Pattern

Harder CAT4 questions often contain more than one rule. A child may spot one change but miss another.

For example, a non-verbal pattern may involve:

• a shape rotating
• and a colour changing

If a child notices only the rotation, they may choose the wrong answer.

3. Reading Verbal Questions Too Quickly

In verbal reasoning, children sometimes jump to an answer because one word looks familiar. But CAT4 verbal questions are usually about the relationship between words, not the words themselves.

For example, in the analogy:

Bird is to nest as bee is to hive

The child needs to understand the relationship “animal and where it lives”, not simply recognise the words.

4. Treating CAT4 Like a School Exam

Some children try to revise for CAT4 by memorising facts, vocabulary lists or maths methods. That can help a little, but it often misses the point.

The CAT4 is mainly about reasoning. The strongest preparation usually comes from learning how to identify patterns, rules and relationships.

5. Giving Up After One Difficult Question

Because CAT4 questions are often unfamiliar, children can lose confidence quickly if they meet one they do not understand.

Remind them that CAT4 is designed to feel challenging. It is normal not to get every question right. The important thing is to stay calm and keep working through the reasoning.

6. Practising Too Much, Too Fast

Some families respond to CAT4 by trying to do large numbers of questions every day. This often leads to frustration and fatigue.

Shorter sessions are usually more effective. Five or ten carefully discussed questions often produce more learning than fifty rushed ones.

7. Ignoring Weaker Areas

Children naturally prefer the kinds of question they find easier. A child who enjoys verbal reasoning may want to keep doing only those questions.

However, real CAT4 preparation is usually more balanced. Children often make the greatest gains when they spend a little more time on the areas that feel less comfortable.

Free CAT4 Practice Pack

Want more CAT4-style examples with full explanations?

Our CAT4 practice pack includes:

• 10 additional verbal reasoning questions
• 10 additional non-verbal questions
• 10 additional quantitative questions
• 10 additional spatial reasoning questions
• Parent guidance on how to interpret performance

Download the CAT4 practice guide