How to improve your child’s 2025 CAT4 score

We offer free 2025 CAT4 test practice and

FREE CAT4 2025 Sample Tests.

In the table below you will find free sample cat4 test examples for your child’s age. We advise CAT4 parents and CAT4 tutors to review the CAT4 samples. Then to buy the corresponding cat4 practice test (in the right hand column).

THE BEST CAT4 Practice Tests

FREE CAT4 Sample Tests by pupil age	BUY CAT4 Practice Test Packs for all ages
Sample CAT4 test sample for Year 2 and CAT4 Year 2 sample test.	BUY CAT4 Year 2 practice tests pack, and CAT4 test practice for Year 2.
Free CAT4 test sample for Year 3 or CAT4 Year 3 sample test.	Year 3 CAT4 practice tests bundle, or CAT4 test practice Year 3.
Sample CAT4 test Year 4 and CAT4 Year 4 sample test.	BUY CAT4 Year 4 practice tests pack, and CAT4 test practice for Year 4.
Free CAT4 sample test Year 5 or CAT4 Year 5 sample test.	Year 5 CAT4 test practice bundle or CAT4 test practice for Year 5.
Sample CAT4 test for Year 6 and CAT4 Year 6 sample test.	BUY Year 6 CAT4 test practice and CAT4 test practice for Year 6.
CAT4 test sample for Year 7, or free CAT4 test sample for Year 7.	CAT4 test practice Year 7 and CAT4 test practice for Year 7.
Sample CAT4 test for Year 8 and CAT4 Year 8 sample test.	BUY CAT4 Year 8 practice tests pack or CAT4 test practice for Year 8.
Free sample CAT4 test Year 9 and CAT4 Year 9 sample test.	Year 9 CAT4 practice tests bundle and CAT4 test practice for Year 9.
CAT4 test sample Year 10 or Year 10 CAT4 sample test.	BUY CAT4 Year 10 test practice pack and CAT test practice for Year 10.
Free sample CAT4 test for Year 11, Year 11 CAT4 sample test.	CAT 4 Year 11 Practice Tests Pack or CAT4 test practice for Year 11.

CAT4 practice tests by pupil age, school year or school grade, including:
Free sample 2025 CAT4 Level x and 2025 CAT4 Level x practice tests pack.

These are THE MOST accurate CAT4 test practice materials you will find online. This is because it is by pupil age / pupil grade.
in other words, this cat practice is targeted for the different cat 4 difficulty levels for your child’s age.
Such carefully constructed replica cat4 test papers are the most accurate CAT4 exam preparation that you can find to download online.

CAT4 familiarisation papers

The CAT4 is substantially different from any other curriculum so familiarising students with the testing material before the exam is extremely important.

ENGLISH CAT4 familiarisation papers

MATHEMATICS CAT4 familiarisation papers

You can DOWNLOAD CAT4 familiarisation papers above. CAT4 familiarisation papers are particularly useful for the four CAT4 test formats:

CAT4 spatial reasoning (CAT4 Figure Recognition and CAT4 Figure Analysis)
and CAT4 not-verbal reasoning (cat4 Figure Matrices and CAT4 Figure Classification).

This it’s because pupils often struggle, as least initially, to understand those four cat4 question types.

Our free CAT4 test practice samples for every pupil age

Here are our CAT4 Practice Test Guides for each school age group:

Firstly, our CAT4 Level A test practice for Year 4
Secondly, our CAT 4 Level B test practice for Year 5.
Thirdly, our CAT4 Level C practice papers for Year 6.
And then, our CAT 4 Level D test practice for Year 7.
Plus also, our CAT4 Level E test practice for Year 8.
Next, our CAT4 Level F practice papers for Year 9.
Also, our CAT 4 Level F test practice for Year 10.
Finally, our CAT4 Level G test practice for Year 11.

Our ‘Introduction to the CAT4’ YouTube video for parents

Accurate 2025 CAT4 test Practice

What is the CAT4?

The CAT4 (Cognitive Ability Test) is a reasoning ability test used by schools to assess a child’s potential. It evaluates verbal, non-verbal, mathematical, and spatial reasoning to help educators place students in an academic bracket.

ACTUAL CAT4 PAPER EXAMPLES – CAT4 SAMPLES per section

CAT4 Figure Analysis CAT4 sample questions and Number Series sample CAT4 sample test.
CAT4 Figure Matrices sample and Figure Classification CAT4 test sample.
CAT 4 Number Analogies sample questions and Verbal Analogies CAT 4 sample questions.
CAT4 Verbal Classification test sample and Figure Recognition CAT4 sample test section.

THE ABOVE DOWNLOADS ARE FROM A REAL CAT4 TEST

What do CAT4 test practice Number Series questions look like?

Number series questions are used to test ‘number logic’. The questions consist of a series of numbers with one number missing. You will then need to find the missing number. These question types assess logical thinking. For example: 4, 7, 12, 15, 20, ? Number analogy questions are presented to identify relationships, similarities or differences, and dissimilarities in a series or between groups of numbers.

Get children interested in learning to read

Reading is such a fundamental starting block for any learning. It is the main channel for learning in most schools or educational settings and a necessity for future academic achievement in mainstream education. Children are however not always ready for the world of reading by the time they go to school. The reason for this is as important as the solution. Some of these reasons or causes for why they may not be susceptible to the world of reading are exactly what you need to identify in order to find the best solutions.

A younger sibling might feel intimidated by the reading ability of the older. Best solutions would include reading separately with the younger sibling to build their confidence.
A child may not be developmentally ready for reading. Ways to help with this is to
- Make sure your child knows their sounds. This can be tricky as English is not a phonetical language. Find games, whether on screen or paper to help them learn the rules. Teach Your Monster To Read has been a favourite for us.
- Start off with pictures, discussing the story told by these and developing a curiosity for the story and expressing themselves in language.
- Follow your child’s reading with your finger to give them a point to focus on.
- Find stories that interest them. Whether they are into dinosaurs, princesses or space. Topics that interest them is the key.

What do CAT4 test practice Spatial Reasoning questions look like?

Spatial Reasoning in CAT4 covers both Folding and Hidden Shapes.

CAT4 Folding Shapes examples

Folding questions show us a sheet of paper that is first folder and then has a hole punched through it. The challenge is to select the answer which shows how the piece of paper will look when it is unfolded.

When the sheet is unfolded, there will be two holes, one either side of the centre fold, so the answer is D.

Things get a little trickier when there are multiple folds and/or different shaped holes:

Here the sheet has been folded twice across a vertical fold, creating 4 columns (1 fold makes two, 2 fold makes 4).

The shape has also been folded once across a horizontal fold, creating 2 rows (the same reasoning as above).

We can see the circle is positioned above the heart in the top row. It is important to realise that the shapes will be mirrored in the bottom row, when the sheet is unfolded. The only answer that correctly displays this is E.

What do CAT4 test practice Hidden Shapes questions look like?

The shape on the left is hidden inside on of the shapes on the right.

The image on the left is never flipped or rotated. So although it does contain the shame shape, A cannot be the answer.

The correct answer is D.

B, C and D all look as though the could contain the shape.

However, if we look carefully the only figure that contains an accurate reproduction of the image is figure D.

What are the types of Verbal Reasoning question in the CAT4?

This involves words. These appear in the form of verbal classifications & analogies. Each CAT4 question contains three words that have the same meaning. Pupils are supposed to discover the concept linking the three words and then select one word that best fit with them from the list of other five words provided. It assesses word knowledge, verbal reasoning, and language development.

CAT4 Non-verbal Reasoning question types involve shapes and patterns. These appear in the form of figures & matrices.

CAT4 Maths question types involve numbers. These appear in the form of number analogies & series.

CAT4 Spatial Reasoning question types involve mentally generating and transforming visual images. These appear in the form of figures.

The CAT4’s non-Verbal Reasoning has 2 question types. These are called Figure Classification and Figure Matrices. Both are explained below wth a range of different CAT4 non-verbal reasoning questions for each type.

CAT4 test practice Figure Classification question examples

Spotting the rule in the original three images, and selecting the image that matches.

In the first three shapes, the hollow circle is inside the shape and the shaded circle is outside the shape.

Only option C follows this rule.

Thinking about the position of the circle inside the shape? Don’t, it’s a distraction.

Some shapes have obvious attributes that appear to form a rule, but are actually nothing to do with the answer. In this question, all of the first three images are a rotation of the same shape (the position of the circle doesn’t matter at all).

Eg by rotating the shapes in the first three images.

CAT4 test practice Figure Matrices question examples

Recognise the relationship between the different shapes and pick the answer that completes the set.

The example on the left hand side of the box shows the square moving inside the circle, or the top shape moving inside the lower shape.

On the right hand side we can see that the star is inside the hexagon. This tells us that, like the square, the star will originally have been above the hexagon. So the answer is C.

This time the relationship is moving horizontally. The heart has moved inside the square and the shading has reversed. Re. the hexagon and the star, this tells us that we are looking for a black shaded star and a hollow hexagon. The only option that matches this is C.

How to pass the 2025 CAT4 exam

To help with your CAT4 practice, here are some:

Examples of each CAT4 question type; plus Year 7 CAT4 practice tests and also Year 8 CAT4 test prep.
A free CAT4 sample paper which will show you each of the different CAT4 question formats.
CAT4 example of how a North London school uses CAT4.

So, here are our key CAT4 test prep steps:

Firstly, use our CAT4 sample tests to familiarise yourself with the different CAT 4 question types.
Secondly, you can find the full CAT4 age range of FREE downloadable CAT4 sample tests at the School Entrance Tests site.
Thirdly, we offer the best 2025 CAT4 test practice by school year, or pupil age.
– Buy your child’s year specific CAT4 practice test bundle.
– And take a CAT4 practice test every week for 1-2 months until you feel ready for more advanced CAT4 prep work.
– Then buy a CAT4 mock exam for your specific age group. For example, follow these three steps to ensure a year 11 CAT4 pass:

So, our advice for a Year 8 pupil prepping for the 2025 CAT4

1. Buy here all the Year 8 CAT4 test practice packs you need.
2. The precision and alignment of our age specific CAT4 Level g test practice Year 8 is indispensable for passing your Year 8 CAT4 test.
3. Use our CAT4 Year 8 VIDEO COURSES here, for example for Year 8, to overcome CAT4 Year 8 question specific or CAT4 Year 8 paper specific difficulties.

CAT4 FAQ’s

How much CAT4 test practice is needed to pass?

Well, the CAT4 is substantially different from any other curriculum so familiarising students with the testing material before the exam is extremely important.

Is CAT4 practice the best CAT4 preparation?

Students need to familiarise themselves with the eight different CAT4 test formats in advance of sitting their CAT4 exam. This will also reduce any test anxieties.

CAT4 practice is actively discouraged by most schools and teachers. This is to maintain the CAT4’s integrity as a test of natural cognitive abilities (CAT4 test). However, we would disagree. Let’s use the analogy of another competitive arena. That of marathon running. You would expect runners to practice for competing in a marathon. No-one in their right mind would tell an athlete to turn up and have a go!

Why is tracking CAT4 test practice results so important?

You need to track CAT4 progress each week for maximum benefit and to keep yourself motivated. Adopting our recommended CAT4 techniques will quickly tell you which CAT4 test sections are most difficult for you to answer most efficiently.

To demonstrate your true CAT4 potential you need to practise until you can answer all types of CAT4 questions correctly and quickly. Try to teach yourself the most effective CAT4 strategies for mastering your most challenging CAT4 items. Learn what works best for you to pass the most difficult CAT4 question types. In order to do this you need to become familiar with the four CAT4 test batteries.

CAT4 test batteries

There are two different CAT4 question types per test battery:

CAT4 Non-Verbal Reasoning Battery: Evaluates a child’s ability to analyse shapes and patterns.
Verbal Reasoning CAT4 Battery: Tests comprehension of text and the ability to connect concepts and words.
CAT4 Quantitative Reasoning Battery: Focuses on numbers and number patterns, revealing a child’s ability to identify numerical relationships.
Spatial Ability CAT4 Battery: Utilises shapes to assess a child’s skill in generating and transforming visual images.

What’s a good CAT4 score?

Anything over a 126 CAT4 score is performing in the top 4% is a good CAT4 test score. Or better. And given the respective number of independent school places, compared to applicant numbers and CAT4 ability levels, could well ensure entry.

How does the CAT4 differ from traditional, knowledge based exams?

School students are used to sitting knowledge-based exams, but most will not have encountered anything like the CAT4’s eight section assessment of four different cognitive abilities.

The questions in CAT4 tests do not rely on memory recall but instead resemble “puzzles” designed to evaluate foundational skills. These skills serve as the cornerstones of intelligence and can be applied across various academic disciplines.

They are known as a test battery because they are a set multiple psychometrically-distinct exams delivered in one administration. For instance:

CAT4 Non-Verbal Reasoning Battery: Evaluates a child’s ability to analyse shapes and patterns.
Verbal Reasoning CAT4 Battery: Tests comprehension of text and the ability to connect concepts and words.
CAT4 Quantitative Reasoning Battery: Focuses on numbers and number patterns, revealing a child’s ability to identify numerical relationships.
Spatial Ability CAT4 Battery: Utilises shapes to assess a child’s skill in generating and transforming visual images.

When, why and how is the CAT4 used?

Firstly, when do most schools use the CAT4?

There’s are two main CAT4 applications:

School Entrance Exam

Many secondary school a now use the CAT4 as part of their selection procedure. The schools’s own CAT4 cut-of level just be achieve for any child to register for a school place on the next year of entry.

2. Set placement, or academic group placement

The most popular CAT 4 applications are to:

Firstly, explore academic potential and to place students in those academic groups, sets or classes which best match their cognitive ability levels.
Secondly, to reveal any disparity between a CAT4 test-taker’s ability and school achievement to date. In this case, many primary schools will administer the CAT4 after Key Stage 1 (KS1) tests and Key Stage 2 (KS2) tests. This serves as a double check on their academic progress. Their learning journey can then be adjusted accordingly.
Thirdly, to create academic uniformity and consistency across each primary/secondary school’s year group.

Why do schools use the CAT 4?

The CAT4 tests range was published a decade ago. GL Education‘s CAT 4 assessment series has become increasingly popular, especially for streaming.

Here are some of the many reasons why the CAT4 has become so popular for school assessment:

It’s one of the most respected school assessments since the CAT 4 provides one of the most comprehensive pupil assessments possible.
This is because each CAT4 section assesses a different cognitive skill.
There are informative and easy-to-apply CAT4 reports for both teachers / parents.
GL Assessment, provide many supportive CAT4 materials.

How do schools use the CAT4? The main ways are to:

Establish a child’s reasoning abilities across the four key skills areas.
Then to compare these results to children of the same age.
Thus, each pupil’s learning progress can be tracked both objectively and accurately.
The CAT4 reports also inform teachers how best to teach to each individual pupil’s strengths and weaknesses.

When do schools inform parents about an upcoming CAT4 test?

Most schools inform parents about CAT4 tests in advance. As a result, parents get to know their plans and expectations from students. Consequently, schools present results to parents and students using stanines since it is easy to comprehend. Notably, the CAT4 website contains a short generic overview that can assist parents to understand more about the tests.

How do schools prepare their pupils for the CAT4?

The schools that offer the best CAT4 preparation are those that encourage problem-solving and teach some of those cognitive skills assessed by the CAT4.

Parents may also encourage their own children to learn problem-solving skills and other cognitive abilities, assessed by the CAT4.

Can parents support CAT4 test practice preparation?

The basic needs of any school pupil, who is completing their homework apply to CAT4 prep. Principally, parent need to provide a quiet room with a suitable desk.

Also, it’s always sensible for parents to reflect upon their child’s own preferred ways to study. This used to sometimes be called their learning style. For example,

– Does their child learn best working independently? If so give them CAT4 practice papers and let them get on with it.
– Do they work best when the structure of a lesson plan or a revision timetable to guide their work. In this case the prospective CAT4 test-taker may learn best by having regular CAT4 lessons with a specialist CAT4 tutor. We can certainly recommend one.

Another way parents can help is by encouraging their child’s to read more widely. Improving vocabulary will help their child with the two CAT4 verbal reasoning sections. Hence, help the or child to achieve a higher CAT4 score overall.

Our FREE 2025 CAT4 Practice Test Guides for each school age group

Study the CAT4 section below for free CAT4 Practice Test Guides for each pupil grade:

- Firstly, CAT4 practice tests Year 6.
- And then also next, CAT 4 test practice Year 7.
- Plus also, nextcat4 practice tests Year 8.
- And then also next, CAT4 test practice Year 9.
- Also, then next CAT 4 practice tests Year 10.
- Finally, our 2025 CAT4 test practice Year 11.

CAT4 test practice recommendations

These are recommended CAT4 practice test links:

Firstly, here is a useful FREE DOWNLOAD cat4 sample test: FREE CAT4 PDF download.
And then also our best CAT4 practice tests, plus our top cat4 test practice.

Then finally, the most accurate CAT4 sample tests and replica CAT4 tests to practice with.

SEARCH all our CAT4 prep resources for CAT4 test practice by school year.

Why is such focussed CAT4 test practice necessary steps?

First, to learn where they are going wrong and what to do differently.
And then second to stay motivated.
Plus, then also such difficulties will improve cat test taking self-efficacy.
Then also if you are lucky your child will start to love learning! Either way, this approach will help to create a growth mindset.
As a final stage, paying for a CAT4 assessment mock is an ideal way to establish how your child is to pass their actual CAT4 assessment.

Maximizing your CAT4 test practice sessions

To get the best from your CAT4 test practice, we advise you to:

- Firstly, Replicate as closely as possible an actual CAT4 assessment environment.

- And then next Leverage the value of CAT4 sample questions to establish where your child may be going wrong.

- Plus, monitor your child’s CAT4 progress. You can easily track their revision progress by checking how quickly their CAT4 assessment results improve.

- And then next you must focus on the CAT4 subtest or CAT4 question type that they are struggling most with.

- Next, you can try assigning more CAT4 assessment sample questions of their weaker topics. Focusing their CAT4 test practice on your child’s weaker topics. This will then encourage them to slowly learn where they are going wrong and what to do differently.

- Plus mastering such difficulties will improve their self-efficacy. If you are lucky then your child will start to love learning! Either way, this approach will help to create a growth mindset.

- As a final stage, paying for a CAT4 assessment mock is an ideal way to practice cats tests.

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Explain the CAT4 scoring

The Standard Age Score (SAS) is the most important piece of information derived from any standardized test.

This is based on the student’s raw score which has been adjusted for age.

Then placed on a scale that makes a comparison with a nationally representative sample of students who tool the same CAT4 exam.

These are representative CAT4 samples drawn from schools across the UK.

How do schools use CAT4 results?

The main usage is creating individual pupil’s learning plans, based on each pupil’s score on the eight CAT4 sections. The similarities and differences a cross those eight CAT4 section scores are what’s most important. The provide key insights into individual strengths and areas for improvement. CAT4 score-based classroom interventions can the be made for individual pupils to:

Target a student’s weaker skills.
Ensure each pupil is given every opportunity to achieve their own potential.
Tailor gifted educational programmes (for high-achievers).

Our CAT4 test practice YouTube videos

We have developed several cat 4 videos for CAT4 teachers, CAT4 parents and CAT4 tutors to learn more about best practice use of the CAT4 assessment battery,
Most schools inform parents about CAT4 tests in advance.
As a result, parents get to know their plans and expectations from students.
CAT4 reports are for both teachers and parents as well and for receiving individual reports, teachers will be able to access group reports as well.

How do schools use CAT 4 results?

What do parents’ CAT4 reports look like?

Typically, CAT4 results are interpreted for parents in terms of their child’s skill strengths and areas for improvement. Below we’ve provided some example CAT4 reports reports for both CAT4 teachers and for CAT4 parents:

Here is the sample GL individual CAT4 report for parents.
And then also next the example GL Assessment CAT4 individual student report for teachers.
Plus, then also, ‘Understanding the CAT4 guide for parents.

These CAT4 reports emphasize how the teacher, of the school, will apply individual CAT scores in interventions enhancing the educational approach. As the CAT4 is a diagnostic tool the CAT4 reports focus in supporting pupils’ learning journeys.

Additional CAT4 materials offered by GL Assessment

The CAT4 publishers, GL Assessment, provide CAT4 familiarisation and CAT4 guidance materials for parents – as will as for teachers. See some of GL’s key CAT4 materials below:

First the CAT4 quick start guide.
Next the UK CAT4 administration manual.
And then next also the international CAT4 administration manual.
Plus, also then next the CAT4 assessment overview.
And then finally, CAT4 teacher guidance.

You tube video, How do teachers apply CAT4 results?

Most schools inform parents about CAT4 tests in advance.
As a result, parents get to know their plans and expectations from students.

CAT4 video, Applying CAT4 results at your school

How to prepare for a CAT4 test step-by-step

Firstly, read this feature to learn what your CAT4 results mean for your child.
And then also next our CAT4 quantitative skills Practice Test.
Plus also, then next there’s our What type of questions are in a CAT 4 test?
Then next also establish How to interpret a CAT 4 results report.
And then next learn what the different CAT 4 sections look like.
Plus then next, practice with the correct year CAT 4 test for your own child.
And then next, also the type of questions in the CAT4 test.
Also, then next find out which skills are assessed in each CAT 4 test section.
Lastly, we recommended that you review our CAT4 guides, What is the CAT4 test? and our CAT4 FAQ help guide.

How to improve CAT4 Year 12 test score

THE BEST CAT4 Year 12 sample tests

How to pass 2025 cat4 test step-by-step

We recommend parents and CAT4 tutors follow these steps to build a child’s skills across the multiple CAT4 aptitude test sections in any age-based CAT4 assessment. Here’s what you can do to help your child to ace their CAT:

First, you must learn the different CAT4 Test sections and their CAT4 question types

The CAT4 is split into 4 sections: firstly verbal, secondly non-verbal, thirdly quantitative, and fourthly spatial reasoning. We offer many FREE CAT4 papers to introduce you to the various CAT4 formats: firstly verbal, secondly non-verbal, thirdly quantitative, and fourthly spatial reasoning.

Your child would certainly benefit from familiarising themselves with the different CAT 4 question types in each CAT4 section:s: firstly verbal, secondly non-verbal, thirdly quantitative, and fourthly spatial reasoning.

We also recommend that you purchase the correct CAT4 test age practice: firstly cat test year 4, secondly cat test year 5, and thirdly cats test year 6. And then next cat test year 7, plus also cats test year 8, and then cat test year 9. Plus then cats test year 10. And then also cat test 11 and cats test year 11.

Second, remember that CAT4 Test Practice Makes Perfect

You need to prepare for your CAT4 exam using the correct CAT4 Level practice paper. Use the most accurate, age-dependent CAT 4 practice test resources from our School Entrance Tests. As your child, or CAT4 pupil, becomes more CAT4 practised, they can focus on the remaining CAT4 revision sessions of the CAT4 sections and CAT 4 question types that they find most challenging. This will help your child get comfortable with the test format and timing. In other words, making most CAT4 errors.

Third, sharpen Your CAT4 Reasoning Skills

While there isn’t a specific subject covered, the CAT4 assesses reasoning skills. Games, puzzles, and activities that involve logic and problem-solving can be a fun way to prepare.

Fourth, remember that CAT4 Time Management is Key

The CAT4 has timed sections. So, you should encourage your child to practise working within CAT4 time limits to avoid rushing through any CAT questions.

Fifth, stay Calm and Focused in your CAT4 test practice and in your CAT4 exam

Test anxiety is real! You should plan in advance to ensure that this CAT4 testing environment is as realistic to your child’s actual CAT4 school assessment as you possibly can. Practice relaxation techniques like deep breathing exercises to help your child stay calm and focused during their CAT4 test.

To get the best from your CAT4 test practice, we advise you to follow these CAT4 revision steps:

Firstly, review our detailed CAT 4 test samples to learn the CAT4 item / CAT4 section composition of an actual CAT4 assessment.
In reviewing our CAT4 sample questions, learn where your CAT4 learning is stalling. More specifically, which types of CAT4 question in which of the eight CAT4 sections you find the most challenging.
Over time, with continual CAT 4 practice, you will learn how to answer even the most difficult question types.

What makes CAT4 data analysis unique amongst school assessments?

The CAT4 is substantially different from any other curriculum-based school assessments. For many reasons. In particular:

GL gather their CAT4 assessment data is gathered several times and analyse it both glbally and nationally. This creates unprecidented educational insights into a student’s skills potential. The same CAT4 data also flags possible barriers to the learning process.
Through the CAT4s or the cognitive ability examinations, a comprehensive customized report can be generated for all students, providing a holistic approach to their learning.
However, there will be times when the amount of data provided will be overwhelming for teachers and specifically for those new to the management in domestic and international institutions.
The CAT4 data can be used to provide a bird’s eye view of the child’s ability in the absence of any primary school reference of data from SATs.

How best to interpret CAT 4 Reports

The CAT4 offers a variety of different reports that are aimed at students and their parents – as well as the teachers administering the CAT4 battery. Its aim is to help parents, students and teachers, so feel free to ask your child’s teachers regarding the scores and the meaning of the scores.

Group reports for teachers

There are different tables for student’s SAS scores, groupranking for each battery and also different overall scores. There’s a particular section that reads out to explain what each group ranking means. The teachers can also witness a comparison to the national as well as average scores of the group and make a profile. They can also explain the data in the form of a chart explaining the learning preferences of the students in a certain group.

Individual reports for teachers

For teachers, there are different reports available that will provide a description of each and every student’s stat along with the NPR, SAS, group ranking, etc.

Students’ reports

For CAT4 students will be able to see how they have performed in each group and whether their scores were below average, average or above average. They will be provided with a written summary recommending different ways for supporting effective learning. Alongside, the students will be able to see different indicators that will be telling them how well they might be performing in GCSE and which subject they will be scoring the most in.

Individual reports for parents of CAT4 pupils

For CAT4 parents will also be able to witness the performance of their child in each battery. They will receive a profile description with different recommendations for supporting the academic growth of their child. Furthermore, they can also see different indicators for the standard grade of their child.

Summary reports for senior leaders – the senior leaders are provided a report with a detailed analysis of their group scores and the same is being compared to the national average and then analysed by gender ethnicity and battery.

Which skills does the CAT4 exams assess?

There are 4 different cognitive ability testing programs out there that comprise the CAT4, and they are;

1. Introducing the CAT4 Verbal reasoning sections

What are verbal reasoning skills? Verbal reasoning allows students to ‘think with words’ and is often linked to concepts framed in different words. History is also one of the subjects that requires a certain degree of verbal reasoning to do well. In addition, verbal reasoning is useful in understanding, classifying and identifying patterns in words.

How does the CAT4 assess verbal reasoning skills? The CAT4 measures a child’s verbal reasoning abilities using both a verbal classification test and a verbal analogies test.

2. What are the CAT4 Non-verbal reasoning sections?

It is quite evident from the phrase that non-verbal reasoning is something to do with topics unrelated to words.

How does the CAT4 assess non-verbal reasoning skills? The CAT4 measures a child’s non-verbal reasoning abilities by including both a figure matrices sub CAT4 test and a figure classification questions section.

3. Introducing the CAT4 Quantitative reasoning sections

Quantitative reasoning is something that has to do with numbers. If we think with numbers, then that can be considered quantitative reasoning.

How does the CAT4 assess quantitative reasoning skills? The CAT4 measures a child’s verbal reasoning abilities by incorporating both a number analogies and a number series test.

4. What are the CAT4 Spatial ability sections?

Spatial ability can be defined as a sort of thinking that can be done with shapes and space. It involves the manipulation of different shapes to have an understanding of spatial relations between images and can be linked to stem subjects.

How does the CAT4 assess spatial reasoning skills? The CAT4 measures a child’s spatial reasoning abilities by incorporating both a figure analysis test and a figure recognition test.

Explaining CAT4 data

All of the above 4 tests combine the CAT4 examination, and from the test, certain data can be derived that can assist in analysing a child’s ability to answer different questions, and they are discussed in detail below.

The number of questions attempted is shown in some CAT4 reports. In fact, this is quite an informative source of CAT4 results data since it reveals if the student missed a large portion of the questions or just answered all of them.
Standardized age scores compare the different results of the students born in the same calendar month. The students who scored as per their age group’s expectation would be provided a full score of 100. Students who score between 80 and 111 will be considered in the average bracket.
Any student who scores 112 or above will be considered above average, and anyone lower than 88 will be below average. The SAS range will be somewhere between 69 and 141.

Explaining the CAT4 raw scores shown on your CAT4 report

Different comparisons are made using the raw score.
The CAT4 raw score is the number of CAT4 questions which were answered correctly.
These raw cat 4 scores are then compared to the performance of subjects from the same age group.
The normative cat scores are then determined which will describe the pupil’s performance.

What does the CAT4 standard age score mean?

The standard age score or SAS is the score of each age group’s average and is set to 100 and the standard deviation is set to 2.
If two pupils from different age groups receive the same SAS, then it can be claimed that they have done equally well when they are being compared to others of the same age group.
Furthermore, a student who is receiving the same score on two different batteries can be said to have performed equally well on both and compared to others students of the same group.

Explaining the CAT4 national percentile rank shown on your CAT4 report

The national percentile rank or student’s NPR score usually indicates the percentage of students that have scored less than the primary subject.
A student who will be receiving an NPR of 73%, can be said to have scored better than 73% of the students in the same age group.
Similarly, 27% of the students scored higher than him or her.
The national percentage ranking can also be derived from these tests. It is measured against a representative sample in the United Kingdom, and it will show whether the child’s score falls in comparison to the students of the same age.
An NPR of 30 will mean that the student scored more than 30% of the students who took the exam.

What does the CAT4 stanine score mean?

Stanines divide CAT4 scores into nine different bands.
Each of these bands corresponds to a different SAS score and indicates a different level of performance.
Stanine scores show how a student has done a little better than someone their age. The score ranges from 1 to 9. Anyone considered between 1 to 3 will be considered below average, and someone scoring between 4 to 6 will be considered average. Again, any individual scoring between 7 and 9 will be considered above average.

Have a CAT4 test practice query?

Feel free to contact our Founder, Rob Williams, who is a specialist CAT4 test designer.

An Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society, Rob Williams is a Chartered Psychologist with over 25 years of experience working and designing tests.

He is also the author of five psychometrics books and has worked for the school entrance test publishers ISEB, Hodder and GL Assessment, the CAT4 publisher.

Here’s our popular You Tube channel‘s CAT4 video guide.

Typically this be those difficult CAT4 questions within the CAT4 sections you take the longest time to answer.
We cover these four CAT4 test batteries and the two different Cat 4 question types within each.

Verbal Reasoning CAT4 test practice battery

What are the types of Verbal Reasoning question in the CAT4?

Two types of verbal reasoning question: Verbal classifications and Verbal analogies.

In summary, the CAT4 verbal reasoning questions:

Contain three words that have the same meaning.
Require identifying the concept linking these three words.
Then selecting one word that best fits them all (from the list of five words provided).
Assess word knowledge, verbal reasoning, and language development.

CAT4 Verbal Reasoning Skills

Verbal reasoning is the ability to understand, classify, and identify patterns in words.
The CAT4 measures a child’s ability in this area using a verbal classification test and a verbal analogies test.
CAT4’s verbal classification test presents the student with a number of words which are related in some way.
The student then needs to select another word from five other words which is associated in a similar way with the group presented.

Verbal Classification Example from GL Assessment

The verbal analogies test requires the student to determine the relationship between a pair of words.
A third word will then be presented and the student needs to use the relationship from the first pair to select a fourth word.
This helps to assess the ability to determine verbal connections, relationships, and patterns.

CAT4 test practice verbal analogies sample questions

Verbal Analogy Example from GL Assessment

What do CAT4 test practice Verbal classification questions look like?

Firstly, each cat test question in this test contains three words that have the same meaning.
Thus cat tests pupils are supposed to discover the concept linking the three words.
And to then select one word that best fits with them from the list of other five words provided.
Thereby, it assesses word knowledge, and also verbal reasoning. Plus also language development.

Secondly, tell me about the CAT4 Verbal Analogies section

Firstly, this cats tests section contains verbal analogy questions, taking the “A –B, C–_” fashion.
Hence, learners must find the relations between the first pair. This then aids completion of the second pair using one word selected from five options available.
And plus, it also then tests both word and verbal knowledge.

Verbal reasoning CAT4 skills assessment.

CLICK on the two verbal reasoning sample links below to learn more about how to pass CAT4 verbal reasoning questions.

CAT 4 Verbal Analogies section and the
Verbal Classification CAT4 sub-test.

CAT4 Verbal Classification sample (for Years 4 to 12)

What do the verbal reasoning sections of the CAT4 assess?

2 out of the 8 modules in the CAT4 test cover Verbal Reasoning.
These modules are called Verbal Classification and Verbal Analogies.
Detailed visual explanations are provided for every single question.
The Verbal Classification module is responsible for 50% of your child’s official CAT4 Verbal Reasoning score.

Detailed explanation of cat4 test practice verbal classification questions

In the Verbal Classification test, each question presents three similar words.
Students have to identify the conceptual link between the three words. Then to select from a list of five further words the one that best fits with the first three.
This test assesses general verbal reasoning. Plus, the ability to extract general principles from specific examples by identifying similarities and relationships between the concepts.
Also assessed are general knowledge, word knowledge and language development.

CAT4 Quantitative reasoning test battery

CLICK on the two CAT4 test practice quantitative reasoning sample links below to learn more about how to pass CAT4 quantitative reasoning questions.

What are the types of Quantitative Reasoning CAT4 test practice question?

The CAT4 Quantitative Reasoning questions are number analogy and number series type Maths questions. In summary, they assess the ability to apply mathematical skills to real world problems. These:

Require the identification of similarities and patterns in numbers to help analyse.
Assess conclusions based on logical relationships.
Measure a child’s ability using a number analogies test and a number series test.

CAT4 test practice number analogies sample questions

Number Analogy Example from GL Assessment

The number series test presents a series of numbers which are related using a rule or function. The student needs to analyze the numbers and determine the function / rule and calculate the next number in the sequence.

CAT4 test practice number series sample questions

Number Series Example from GL Assessment

Sample CAT4 test practice Number Analogies questions

Firstly, a cat assessment with questions having three pairs of numbers like “2–5, 7–10, and 9–_”
And then next, cat4 test takers answer the questions by first knowing the connection between the pairs of numbers then complete the last pair using a suitable number from the list provided.
Thirdly, this assesses skills in identifying both relations and arithmetic knowledge.

Here is a sample CAT4 Number Analogies question:

CAT4 test practice Number Analogies example question

How are quantitative reasoning skills assessed by CAT 4’s Number Analogies?

In the Number Analogies test, each question presents three pairs of numbers, such as ‘4-6, 8-10, 9-_’.
Students have to work out how the pairs of numbers are related and then complete the third pair by selecting the answer from the five options presented.
The questions in this test assess the same basic reasoning processes that are assessed in the equivalent Verbal Analogies test.
Basic arithmetic knowledge, accuracy in doing simple arithmetic and flexibility in identifying and being aware of numerical relationships.

CAT4 test practice number series section samples

In the Number Series test, students have to work out the rule underlying the progression in the number series in each question. Then to select the next number in the series from the five options presented. This test assesses the same underlying basic reasoning processes and number facility as Number Analogies.

CAT 4 non- verbal reasoning test battery

To improve your CAT4 non-verbal reasoning score you need to study our CAT4 Figure Classification question samples below.

Start your learning by reviewing the two most relevant spatial reasoning CAT4 Samples are here:

Figure Classification CAT4 question samples and Figure Matrices CAT4 question samples.

What are the CAT4 test practice Figure Classification question formats?

In the Figure Classification test, each question presents students with three separate figures. They identify the conceptual link or underlying characteristic that all three figures have in common. They then select the one figure from five answer options that goes with the first three.

Non-verbal reasoning CAT4 skills assessment

CAT4 test practice Figure Matrices example question

CLICK on the two non-verbal reasoning sample links below to learn more about how to pass CAT4 non-verbal reasoning questions.

Free sample of the Figure Matrices CAT4 subtest.

A second relevant CAT4 Sample is this CAT 4 Figure Classification sample. Plus, the example CAT4 Figure Classification question below:

CAT4 test practice figure classification sample questions

CAT4 spatial reasoning test battery

Spatial reasoning CAT4 skills assessment.

CLICK on the two spatial reasoning sample links below to learn more about how to pass CAT4 spatial reasoning questions.

We offer top CAT4 Figure Matrices test prep on our CAT4 post content. These encompass all your child needs to know to improve their specific CAT4 skills in this spatial reasoning area. You can find:

CAT 4 Figure Matrices test practice for each school year and
Sample CAT4 Figure Matrices questions below and explanations of each different CAT4 reasoning skill required to pass the CAT4.

What do the CAT4 Figure Analysis questions look like?

Here are two sample CAT4 Figure Analysis questions:

CAT4 test practice Figure Analysis example question

Figure Analysis Example from GL Assessment

Passing CAT4 test practice Figure Analysis questions

Here is a sample Figure Analysis CAT4 subtest section,

including sample Figure Analysis CAT4 questions.

Here is a detailed explanation of the CAT 4 Figure Analysis section:

Each CAT4 Figure Analysis test questions present pupils with a square.
This question square has been repeatedly folded. Then has had one or more holes punched through it.
Pupil respondents establish the final unfolded product.
This test assesses visualisation processes; the ability to create a complex mental image and to retain it in their head. Then to manipulate it before comparing the imagined result with other presented material.
The CAT4 Figure Analysis test makes up half of the CAT4 spatial reasoning content.

What are the CAT4 test practice Figure Analysis question types?

The spatial reasoning Figure Analysis CAT4 question types are:

Single Fold
Two Folds
Three Folds
Four Folds
Horizontal and Vertical Folds Only
Diagonal Folds
Mixed Folds
Symmetrical Punched Holes
Asymmetrical Punched Holes
Mixed Style of Punched Holes

CAT4 test practice Figure Recognition sample questions

An example CAT4 Figure Recognition question is shown below:

What are our CAT4 Figure Recognition sample tests’ benefits?

Here are some sample CAT4 Figure Recognition questions. This CAT4 Figure Recognition section sample will:

Firstly, these are THE most accurate and efficient way to prepare for the CAT4 Figure Recognition module.
And secondly, they introduce your child to all of the possible types of CAT4 Figure Recognition exam question.

What does the CAT4 test practice Figure Recognition section assess?

The CAT4 Figure Recognition test content makes up half of the CAT4 spatial reasoning content.
Both the CAT4 Figure Analysis and the CAT4 Figure Recognition test questions assess visualisation skills. In particular, the ability to create and retain a firm mental image of a shape that represents angles and lengths accurately.

How are spatial reasoning skills assessed by the CAT4 Figure Recognition test? Students are shown five complex designs as line drawings with a target shape below.

They then identify which of the five designs contains the exact same size outline of the target, including each side in full.
This test assesses visualisation skills, particularly the ability to create and retain a firm mental image of a shape that represents angles and lengths accurately.

CAT4 test practice Figure Recognition question types

The CAT4 Figure Recognition question types are:

Firstly, Rectangles
And then next, Same Shapes
Also, Different Shapes
And then next, Horizontal/Vertical Lines
Also, Horizontal, Vertical and 45° Diagonal Lines
And then next, Variable Angles and Curved Inner Lines
Also, One Crossing Line
And then next, Two Crossing Lines
Also, Three Crossing Lines
And then next, Four Crossing Lines

Plus, also, what does the CAT4 test practice Figure analysis section involve?

Firstly, these CAT4 Questions have squares that are folded several times before holes punched through them.
And then also CAT4 Learners determine the appearance of the final product when unfolded.
Plus, CAT4 Students utilise their visualisation ability to find these correct CAT4 answers.

And then next our CAT4 test practice Figure Recognition tips

Firstly, each CAT4 question presents a target figure.
Plus then next, cat4 students select one complex design that has exactly the same size from the one provided.
And then also, these two CAT4 test sections also assess both pattern recognition and also visualisation skills.

Technical CAT4 FAQs

How to interpret CAT4 scores

First, pupils can track their own academic progress using the CAT4’s progress indicators.
Plus then next, the cat test results are good indicators of both GCSE, and also then next of A-level. Plus if necessary IB course success.
And then also next, GL’s individual student report for teachers provides data that helps to understand a pupil’s learning profile.
Fourth, the implications for both teaching and learning are profound. Pupil decisions are based on objective not subjective opinion.

CAT4 norms and standardisation

So, with the CAT4 school assessment battery, comparison scores would have been collected by the test publisher, GL Assessment.

Most importantly, separate CAT4 data is collected for each school year. These CAT4 results are then used to create age specific CAT4 comparison groups.

For the CAT4 standardised school assessment, the key summary statistic is the Standard Age Score (SAS). This is based an adjustment of each pupil’s raw score for age, which allows this age-adjusted CAT4 scores to be put on a continuous CAT4 score scale. Hence, comparisons are made with a nationally representative sample, comprising students of the same age. It is therefore representative of age.

CAT4 reports guide

Most schools inform parents about CAT4 tests in advance to help set pupils’ expectations.

Individual reports to parents show the performance of their children across the four CAT4 sections: first CAT4 spatial reasoning; and then next CAT4 verbal reasoning; plus also CAT4 numerical reasoning; and then finally CAT4 non-verbal reasoning.

Such CAT4 focused schools should flag key CAT4 facts to parents of CAT4 pupils.

CAT4 case-studies offered by GL Assessment

GL Assessment has many CAT4 case studies, including:

- - Firstly, the U.K. independent school sector use of the CAT4
  - And then next, How most Primary schools use the CAT4 assessment.
  - Plus also, Top secondary schools’s CAT4 case study applications for CAT4 results

Their CAT4 website provides prospective CAT4 parents with a comprehensive overview of everything CAT4 related. This includes CAT4 Q&A.

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Rob Williams Assessment Ltd