CAT4 Quantitative Reasoning Guides Sample Questions and Tips
This complete guide to CAT4 Quantitative Reasoning includes sample questions, video walkthroughs, tips, and detailed step-by-step solutions to help students master Number Analogies and Number Series.
Introduction to CAT4 Quantitative Reasoning
The CAT4 test is made up of four main parts, and one of them is Quantitative Reasoning.
This section measures how well students can solve number problems by spotting patterns and using logic, not by memorising formulas.
On this page, we’ll guide you through:
What Quantitative Reasoning is really testing.
Why it matters for your child’s learning.
Tips and resources to prepare effectively.
Sample questions with explanations.
👉 Before diving in, we recommend reading our full CAT4 Test Guide to understand the complete structure and scoring system.
Important to note: The CAT4 Quantitative Reasoning section focuses on two types of questions:
Number Analogies
Number Series
The Structure of the CAT4 Quantitative Reasoning Battery
The Quantitative Reasoning battery is split into two main parts:
Number Analogies
What it tests: Number Analogies measure how well a student can spot relationships between numbers and apply the same logic to new problems.
How it works:
- You will see two pairs of numbers.
- The first pair shows a rule or relationship
(for example: add 3 or double the number). - The second pair follows the same rule.
- Your task is to find the missing number in the third pair that continues the pattern.
🎥 CAT4 Number Analogies Example Video
This short video walks you through a real CAT4 Number Analogies question, solved step by step.
We have learned exactly how to:
Identify the relationship between numbers.
Check if the same rule works across pairs.
Apply the rule to find the missing number.
👉 Watching this explanation helps students understand the logic behind Number Analogies, not just the final answer. This makes it easier to approach similar questions in the real CAT4 test with confidence.
Number Series
Check how quickly and accurately you can find the rule behind a sequence of numbers.
📌 What it tests:
Number Series checks how quickly and accurately a student can find the rule behind a sequence of numbers.
⚙️ How it works:
- You will see a list of numbers in order.
- These numbers follow a hidden rule (for example: +2 each time or ×3 each time).
- One number will be missing, shown as a question mark.
- Your task is to choose the answer that continues the sequence.
🎥 CAT4 Number Analogies Example Video
In this video, we solve a real CAT4 Number Series question step by step.
What have we learned:
- Spot the hidden rule behind a sequence of numbers.
- Test if the rule works across the whole series.
- Choose the correct number that continues the pattern.
👉 By following the explanation, students can see the thinking process behind Number Series questions. This builds confidence and helps them approach the actual CAT4 test with stronger problem-solving skills.
What Is Tested in the CAT4 Quantitative Reasoning Battery?
The CAT4 Quantitative Reasoning battery tests how well students can work with numbers by spotting patterns and using logic.
It includes two question types:
Number Analogies – identifying the rule that connects pairs of numbers.
Number Series – finding the missing number in a sequence that follows a rule.
These questions show how quickly and accurately a student can understand numerical relationships, which is an important skill for success in maths, science, and problem-solving in daily life.
CAT4 Quantitative Reasoning Practice Examples with Explanations
To really understand how CAT4 Quantitative Reasoning works, it helps to see real examples.
Below you’ll find two sample questions – one from Number Analogies and one from Number Series.
Each example comes with a step-by-step explanation, so students don’t just see the correct answer, but also how to think through the problem.
👉 Practising with explained examples is one of the fastest ways to build confidence before the real CAT4 test.
CAT4 Number Analogies — Sample Question & Step-by-Step
Question 1: Try it first, then open the explanation!
Pairs:
Choose one:
Correct option is B) 8. It highlights after you open the explanation.Show step-by-step reasoning (tap/click to open)
- 80 ÷ 4 = 20
- 20 − 1 = 19 ✅
Rule: ÷4 then −1.
- 40 ÷ 4 = 10
- 10 − 1 = 9 ✅
Confirmed rule.
- 36 ÷ 4 = 9
- 9 − 1 = 8
Answer: 8 → Option B.
Compatibility note: If the correct option above is not highlighted, your browser may not support CSS :has. The correct choice is repeated in the final step.
Question 2: Try it first, then open the explanation!
Pairs:
Choose one:
Correct option is C) 21. It highlights after you open the explanation.Show step-by-step reasoning (tap/click to open)
- 60 ÷ 2 = 30
- 30 − 1 = 29 ✅
- 20 ÷ 2 = 10
- 10 − 1 = 9 ✅
- 44 ÷ 2 = 22
- 22 − 1 = 21
Answer: 21 → Option C.
Compatibility note: If the correct option above is not highlighted, your browser may not support CSS :has. The correct choice is repeated in the final step.
CAT4 Number Series — Sample Question & Step-by-Step
Question 1: Try it first, then open the explanation. (If your browser doesn’t highlight the correct option on reveal, see the text inside.)
Sequence:
Choose one:
Correct option is A: 33. It becomes highlighted when the explanation opens (in browsers that support CSS :has).Show step-by-step reasoning (tap/click to open)
1) Spot the pattern
Check the jumps between numbers:
- 5 → 10 ×2
- 10 → 9 −1
- 9 → 18 ×2
- 18 → 17 −1
- 17 → 34 ×2
Repeats: ×2, then −1…
2) Apply the next move
Last step was ×2 → next step is −1.
34 − 1 = 33
Answer
33 → Option A
Compatibility note: If your browser doesn’t highlight the answer above, the correct choice is A) 33.
Question 2: Try it first, then open the explanation!
Sequence:
Choose one:
Correct option is D) 84. It highlights after you open the explanation.Show step-by-step reasoning (tap/click to open)
1) Spot the pattern (look at the jumps):
- 2 → 6 (×3)
- 6 → 4 (−2)
- 4 → 12 (×3)
- 12 → 10 (−2)
- 10 → 30 (×3)
- 30 → 28 (−2)
Repeats: ×3, then −2, repeating…
2) Apply the rule to the last number:
Last move was −2 → next move should be ×3.
28 × 3 = 84
3) Pick the matching option:
84 → Option D
Compatibility note: If the correct option above is not highlighted, your browser may not support CSS :has. The correct choice is repeated in the final step.
Golden Tips for CAT4 Number Series
Quick heuristics that make patterns jump out faster.
- Look for the jumps
- Try easy patterns first
- Watch for repeats
- Check more than one step
- Reverse check
- Stay calm with big numbers
Don’t stare at the numbers—check the moves between them. Writing the jumps makes the pattern pop out.
Start with simple steps: +2, −2, ×2, ÷2. CAT4 usually uses small, easy rules.
If numbers go up and down, it’s probably alternating (e.g., ×3, −2, ×3, −2…).
Look at 3–4 numbers to confirm the rule is repeating.
Work backwards from your answer to verify the sequence reconstructs.
Big jumps are often just ×2, ×3, or ÷2. Don’t let them scare you.
Editor’s tip: “Don’t just look at the numbers, look at the moves between them. Write them down like arrows: +, −, ×, ÷.”
How to Prepare Effectively for CAT4 Quantitative Reasoning?
The best way to prepare for CAT4 Quantitative Reasoning is through consistent practice.
Students need to build confidence with number patterns, analogies, and logical thinking.
Here are the most effective ways to prepare:
- Free CAT4 Practice Tests –
start with sample questions and free PDFs
to get familiar with the format. - Practice by Age and Level –
explore our CAT4 prep by year group
for targeted exercises that match your child’s stage. - Premium CAT4 Course –
unlock thousands of practice questions
with step-by-step explanations covering every level of the test. - Use this guide – this page is packed with real examples, tips, videos,
and step-by-step solutions to help you get started.
👉 Combining free resources with structured premium prep ensures students are ready for any type of Quantitative Reasoning question they may face with confidence.
CAT4 Quantitative Reasoning Prep by Level
Get full access to 1,000+ CAT4 practice questions with expert tips, mock exams, and step-by-step explanations.
Recap and Next Steps
Quantitative Reasoning in the CAT4 test focuses on two key areas:
Number Analogies – spotting relationships between numbers.
Number Series – finding rules that continue a sequence.
By practising these question types, students develop logical problem-solving skills that help in maths, science, and everyday tasks.
The best way to improve is through consistent practice. Try our free resources or move straight to the full course for complete preparation.
Next recommended read – CAT4 Verbal Reasoning Guide.
John Damien – CAT4-Prep Editorial Team.
Our articles are written by the CAT4-Prep editorial team, based on the experience of educators and test specialists who’ve worked extensively with CAT4 students. Each piece is reviewed for accuracy, clarity, and alignment with the CAT4 exam format.