Table of Contents
1. What is the CAT4 Test?
Schools use the CAT4 test (Cognitive Abilities Test, Fourth Edition) for various purposes. The biggest difference between CAT4 and other formative exams (like SATs or GCSEs) is that it measures a child's innate abilities rather than knowledge learned from the curriculum. CAT4 results help schools better understand a child’s potential, highlighting elements of their abilities that may not be immediately evident in the classroom.
CAT4 is one of the most widely used cognitive ability tests in the UK and is known for predicting student performance in future exams and educational achievement.
The test assesses several areas, including verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, and spatial reasoning. It analyzes a student’s potential outcomes, enabling teachers to assess them against national benchmarks accurately.
Developed and administered by GL Assessment, CAT4 tests are only taken through schools. The test has undergone multiple iterations (this being the 4th) and was standardized with 25,000 students.
The test is conducted at different levels depending on age and can be taken by students aged 6 to 17 and older. CAT4 consists of three 45-minute sections, totaling 2 hours and 15 minutes.
2. What Does the Test Measure?
Schools use CAT4 for the following purposes:
Assessing students' abilities as part of selection exams.
Grouping students by ability.
Setting indicators for national tests or exams (e.g., predicting GCSE scores).
2.1 How Students Are Evaluated
CAT4 is divided into four sections, each assessing different cognitive abilities.
For Levels A to G, the test is split into three parts (combining quantitative and spatial reasoning), with each section lasting 40–45 minutes, totaling approximately 2 hours.
The test can be administered either on paper or digitally, depending on the school.
2.2 Subjects Tested
CAT4 includes 10 levels tailored for specific age groups.
Level A: Ages 8–9
Level B: Ages 9–10
Level C: Ages 10–11
Level D: Ages 11–12
Level E: Ages 12–13
Level F: Ages 13–15
Level G: Ages 15+
The test is divided into four key areas:
Verbal Reasoning – Evaluates how students express thoughts through words, including identifying word relationships, understanding word meanings, and following written instructions.
Non-Verbal Reasoning – Focuses on problem-solving through visual patterns, shapes, and diagrams, testing logical thinking without relying on language.
Quantitative Reasoning – Assesses problem-solving abilities using numbers, patterns, and mathematical concepts.
Spatial Reasoning – Evaluates the ability to visualize and manipulate objects in three-dimensional space.
3. How Can Students Prepare?
While CAT4 assesses a child’s natural ability rather than learned knowledge, preparation is still beneficial, especially for understanding the test format.
Key Strategies for Preparation:
Familiarize your child with the test process through mock exams at home or tutoring centers.
Practice reasoning techniques specific to verbal, non-verbal, quantitative, and spatial problems.
Work with practice questions to build skills and confidence.
4. CAT4 Scoring
Digital Tests: Scored automatically through a computer-based system.
Paper Tests: Answer sheets are scanned and scored using Optical Mark Recognition (OMR).
The scores are standardized, meaning raw scores are converted to Standard Age Scores (SAS), ensuring fairness by accounting for each student’s age in years and months.
5. Practice Questions
5.1 Verbal Reasoning
Verbal reasoning assesses how students express their thoughts through words and language use.
Vocabulary Classification
This test evaluates general verbal reasoning skills, identifying similarities, relationships between concepts, and general principles. It also assesses general knowledge (e.g., ankle is a type of joint), vocabulary (e.g., "cold" can refer to an illness or low temperature), and language development (e.g., some words can function as both verbs and nouns).
Vocabulary Analogies
In this test format, students identify the relationship between a pair of words and then choose a word to complete a second pair of words from five options.
5.2 Non-Verbal Reasoning
Non-verbal reasoning evaluates problem-solving abilities using pictures, diagrams, and infographics rather than language.
Figure Classification
This test assesses the ability to identify similarities, differences, and relationships between sample images.
Figure Matrices
Students identify common rules or patterns within sample images and select the correct figure from the answer choices. This tests pattern recognition, logical thinking, and the ability to visualize abstract concepts.
5.3 Quantitative Reasoning
Quantitative reasoning assesses the ability to solve problems using numbers, patterns, and relationships.
Number Analogies
This test involves identifying the mathematical relationship shared by three sets of numbers and determining the missing number in the third set. It primarily tests arithmetic ability and numerical flexibility.
Number Sequences
In this test, students identify the rule governing a sequence of numbers and select the correct number to complete the sequence from five options.
5.4 Spatial Reasoning
Spatial reasoning evaluates how students think and draw conclusions using three-dimensional concepts.
Figure Analysis
This test assesses students’ ability to visualize complex images, mentally create and manipulate them, and compare the imagined outcomes with presented materials.
Figure Recognition
Students identify shapes that match a sample image. This tests visualization skills, particularly the ability to accurately determine angles and lengths.
6. Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is CAT4 an adaptive test?
No – CAT4 is a non-adaptive test. All questions are pre-determined, and students taking the test at the same time will see identical questions.
2. Is CAT4 an IQ test?
While CAT4 is not designed to measure IQ, it shares similarities with IQ tests for adults. Unlike traditional school tests, CAT4 assesses innate abilities and potential rather than learned knowledge (e.g., English, mathematics, or science).
3. Is CAT4 a difficult test?
CAT4 questions are designed to be age-appropriate. The greatest challenge lies in students becoming familiar with the style of questions.
If your child has taken the 11+ exam, they may notice similarities in the verbal and non-verbal reasoning question formats.
4. When is CAT4 taken?
The timing of the CAT4 test depends on each school. The schedule may vary depending on the level of the test and how the school plans to use the results.
Typical assessment periods include:
Year 6 (October–January): Conducted as part of the 11+ exams for entry into Year 7.
Year 7 (September): Used to set students into ability groups.
Additionally, CAT4 may be used for individual assessments when students join a school mid-year. GL Assessment recommends testing between September and November to ensure the most accurate comparative data during standardization.
5. Can students practice for the CAT4 test?
CAT4 is designed to evaluate a child's natural abilities rather than learned knowledge. GL Assessment does not produce official practice materials or mock exams.
However, for many students, CAT4 may be their first experience with timed assessments. While there is no formal revision for CAT4, students can practice with example questions to familiarize themselves with the test format and reduce anxiety.
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