CAT4 Test – What It Is, How It Works & How to Prepare (Free Practice)
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Everything you need yo know about the CAT4 Test
Is your child taking the CAT4 test soon? Wondering how it works and why schools use it?
👉 In this guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know about the CAT4 test—including how it works, why it matters, and how to prepare effectively using sample questions.
The Cognitive Abilities Test Fourth Edition (CAT4) is one of the most widely used assessments for students aged 6-17.
Schools use it to evaluate reasoning skills in language, numbers, and spatial thinking—not just what students have learned in class.
GL-Assessment is the official test provider
Key Benefits of the CAT4 Assessment
Identify Strengths & Weaknesses
Helps pinpoint areas where students excel or need support.
Inform Teaching Strategies
Allows for personalised learning plans tailored to individual needs.
Predict Academic Potential
Offers insight into future performance and growth trajectories.
Benchmark Nationally
Compares students’ abilities against national averages effectively.
What is the Purpose of the CAT4 Test?
The CAT4 test is designed to uncover a student’s true potential beyond traditional academic performance.
By understanding how a student thinks and learns, teachers can adapt their teaching methods to create a more effective learning experience.
Identify gifted students
Recognize those who may need advanced learning opportunities.
Detect learning challenges
Pinpoint areas where students may need extra support.
Personalize teaching approaches
Help teachers tailor instruction to fit each student’s strengths and weaknesses.
CAT4 Test Day Tips
Stay Confident
Maintain calm and focus to perform your best.
Arrive Prepared
Be well-rested and arrive early to settle in calmly.
Follow Instructions
Listen carefully and adhere strictly to test guidelines.
Time Management
Keep track of time and pace yourself across sections.
Types of Questions in the CAT4 Exam
🗣️ Verbal Reasoning
These questions assess understanding of word pairs, analogies, and language relationships to measure verbal intelligence.
🔢 Number Series & Analogies
Numerical reasoning questions challenge students to identify patterns and relationships between numbers.
🧩 Figure Classification & Analysis
Questions involve selecting images that follow a specific pattern or rule, testing spatial reasoning and pattern recognition skills.
Preparing for the CAT4 Test
CAT4 Format and Sections Explained
The test is made up of four sections, each designed to assess a specific skill.
You’ll have 8–10 minutes for each section, and the entire test takes around 45 minutes to complete.
This article includes CAT4 Practice Test questions for every section.
| Subject | Time | Number of Questions | Time per Question |
|---|---|---|---|
| Verbal Classification | 8 minutes | 24 | 20 seconds |
| Verbal Analogies | 8 minutes | 24 | 20 seconds |
| Figure Classification | 10 minutes | 24 | 25 seconds |
| Verbal Classification | 10 minutes | 24 | 25 seconds |
| Number Analogies | 10 minutes | 18 | 33.3 seconds |
| Number Series | 8 minutes | 18 | 26.6 seconds |
| Figure Analysis | 9 minutes | 18 | 30 seconds |
| Figure Recognition | 9 minutes | 18 | 30 seconds |
How is the CAT4 Test Administered?
- The CAT4 test is typically conducted at school by a trained administrator.
- It is usually taken on a computer, though a paper-based version still exists (but is less common).
- Total test duration: 2 hours and 15 minutes, divided into multiple sections.
- Flexible scheduling: Schools can administer the test at any point in the academic year.
Is the CAT4 Test Hard?
Focuses on Thinking Skills
The test evaluates reasoning instead of learned content, making preparation about understanding question types essential.
Varies by Student
Difficulty depends on each child’s natural cognitive skillset and their familiarity with test formats.
Preparation Makes a Difference
Practicing similar questions helps students feel confident and manage test timing efficiently.
Challenges Problem-Solving
Most students find the test challenging but manageable with the right strategies and mindset.
Understanding and Interpreting CAT4 Test Results
National Percentile Rank (NPR)
Shows how a student’s performance compares to peers nationwide.
Standard Age Score (SAS)
Compares scores accounting for age differences, useful for tracking development.
Stanine Scores
A 1-9 scale illustrating performance level, with 9 being highest.
Profile Benefits
Helps parents and teachers identify strengths and areas needing support for tailored teaching.
What are the CAT4 levels?
Are you curious about the CAT4 levels? It can get confusing since different locations name them by other names. But don’t worry! We’ve got you covered.
Check out our complete guide on each CAT4 Level and get the clarification you need for the test you’re about to take.
| Age Range | CAT4 Test Level |
|---|---|
| 6 years – 7 years | Level X |
| 7 years – 8 years | Level Y |
| 6 years to 8 years | Level Pre-A |
| 7 years – 9 years | Level A |
| 8 years – 10 years | Level B |
| 9 years – 11 years | Level C |
| 10 years – 12 years | Level D |
| 11 years – 13 years | Level E |
| 12 years – 15 years | Level F |
| 14 years – 17 years | Level G |
Strategies & Tips for Taking the CAT4 Test
Want to ace the CAT4 test like a pro?
Follow these golden strategies to boost your confidence and performance!
Understand the Test Format
Familiarize yourself with the types of questions, number of questions, and time limits for each section.
Practice, Practice, Practice
The more you take practice tests, the more comfortable you’ll feel with the format.
Master Time Management
Keep an eye on the clock to ensure you can answer all questions within the given time.
Read Instructions Carefully
Misreading instructions can cost you valuable points—double-check before answering!
Use the Process of Elimination
Not sure about a question? Eliminate wrong answers first, then make an educated guess.
Take Care of Yourself
Get enough sleep, eat a healthy breakfast, and arrive on time to stay sharp.
Manage Test Anxiety
Feeling nervous? Take a deep breath and remind yourself—you’ve got this!
Check Before Submitting
Review your answers and don’t leave any questions blank before submitting.
Study the Test Structure
Improve your prep by reviewing infographics and section breakdowns to understand the test better.
CAT4 Practice Test Video
CAT4 Test Scores Explained
Have you checked out the CAT4 reports yet?
As parents, we all want to make sure we’re doing everything we can to help our kids succeed, and these reports are an excellent tool for identifying strengths and challenges in our children.
Trust me; you want to take advantage of this valuable resource!
It’s easy to overlook areas where our kids may need extra help or be challenged further. But by diving into the report, we can identify these areas and help our kids reach their full potential.
The best part is these reports are easy to understand. If you haven’t already, ask your child’s teacher for the results report and work together on your child’s strengths and weaknesses.
Remember that average scores don’t always mean average abilities across the board.
Let’s give our kids the best chance for success!
How to Interrupt the CAT4 Results:
The best thing about the test is receiving a detailed report! Let’s explore together how to interrupt the CAT4 Results.
The individual report for parents includes a complete test review, a student profile, and a summary.
The student profile will include a bar chart report:
The yellow part is the average.
The summary will look as follows:
The summary will include all insights about the pupil.
National Percentile Rank (NPR):
The National Percentile Rank (NPR) shows how a student’s standardized assessment score compares to other students in their grades nationwide.
For instance, if a student has an NPR score of 80%, they did better than 80% of their classmates and worse than only 20%.
Standard Age Scores (SAS):
SAS scores compare a student’s performance to an average of 100 with a standard deviation of 2.
It’s not a pass or fail threshold, but it’s crucial for understanding a student’s educational path.
When comparing standard age scores (SAS) between CAT4 Level X & Y and the other levels of CAT4, it is important to note that whereas the range of scores from levels A to G is from 59 to 141, the range of scores for levels X & Y ranges from 69 to 131, making it tailored to a specific age group.
This is to ensure that younger children in the year group are not disadvantaged when taking the online assessment, as the SAS takes into account the child’s age in years and months at the time of testing and is calculated from their raw score.
Additionally, most selective schools are looking for a standardised score of at least 115, and sometimes higher, for Year 7 candidates with low quantitative scores and low verbal scores.
This information can be useful for parents to understand their child’s performance on the CAT 4 test and how it may impact their future academic opportunities, including their stanine rank.
Spatial reasoning, a crucial aspect of a rounded profile of student ability, is also measured in the CAT4 test, providing insight into a child’s ability to understand and manipulate visual information.
CAT4 provides a rounded profile of student ability, including spatial reasoning, so parents can better understand their child’s strengths and weaknesses and make informed decisions about providing the right level of challenge for their academic progress.
Stanines (ST):
The scale ranges from 1 to 9, with 9 being the highest.
Using Stanines, you can gain valuable insights into students’ performance and help them reach their full potential.
You can read more on our CAT4 Results report.
CAT4 Test Results
| Percentile Rank | STEN | Standard Age Score | Interpretation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 98+ | 10 | 130+ | Very High Performance |
| 84 – 97 | 8 – 9 | 115 – 129 | Above Average Performance |
| 70 – 83 | 7 | 108 – 114 | High Average Performance |
| 31 – 69 | 5 – 6 | 93 – 107 | Average Performance |
| 16 – 30 | 4 | 85 – 92 | Low Average Performance |
| 3 – 15 | 2 – 3 | 70 – 84 | Below Average Performance |
| <3 | 1 | >70 | Very Low Performance |
CAT4 in the UAE: Usage and Educational Impact
Collaborative Approach
Scores shared with educators and parents to create a supportive learning environment tailored to the student.
Admissions and Streaming
Many schools use CAT4 scores as part of admission or streaming decisions to match students to appropriate learning levels.
Supports Multiple Curricula
Used by British, American, and international curriculum schools for placement and academic planning.
Inclusivity in Education
CAT4 supports diverse learners from varied cultural and linguistic backgrounds in UAE schools.
Administration in UAE Schools
- Typically conducted annually or during specific admission cycles.
- Results are shared with teachers, school administrators, and sometimes parents to ensure a collaborative approach to student development.
The CAT4 exam plays a critical role in the UAE education system by equipping educators and parents with the tools to foster students’ intellectual growth and maximize their potential.
Final Thoughts: Encouraging Success on the CAT4 Test
Helping your child prepare for the CAT4 test means more than just practicing questions—it’s about understanding their unique strengths and challenges. Encourage open communication, celebrate progress, and watch for signs of frustration or anxiety. Regular check-ins can make a big difference in building confidence and reducing stress.
Remember, CAT4 measures thinking and problem-solving skills, not knowledge memorization. With supportive preparation and a positive mindset, every child can approach the test ready to showcase their true potential.
From a personal point of view, as parents, you should encourage your child to do his best, but remember that some children might need extra help from you or the school.
Therefore, do your best to help them prepare and do a regular check-up on their CAT4 practice test scores. If you find them “confused or frustrated”, speak with them about what is causing them to feel that way.
From my experience, pupils with anxieties and other learning disabilities might feel ashamed and will mostly keep that secret.
The best note I want you to take from this article is that your job as a parent is to help them speak about their problems.
FAQs
What is a CAT4 Test
CAT4 is a cognitive ability test. The number 4 is the test version.
Is the CAT4 test used for admissions to schools?
Some schools use the test as part of their admissions process.
How is the CAT4 test administered?
The test is typically administered in a school setting by a trained administrator.
Can you prepare for the CAT4 test?
Yes, preparing for the test by understanding the format, practising with sample questions, and focusing on weak areas can help students perform better.
How are the CAT4 test results presented?
The test results are presented as scaled scores, which are based on the student’s age and indicate how their performance compares to that of other students of the same age.
What does the CAT4 test measure?
The test measures a student’s cognitive abilities in four areas: verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning, spatial ability, and quantitative reasoning
Is the CAT4 Test Hard?
Indeed, the test is designed to be challenging and appropriately assess students’ abilities at each grade and level.
is CAT4 an IQ Test
Although it has some similarities, the CAT4 Test is not marked as an IQ test.
References:
- Official Test Website
- Understanding Test Scoring – GL Technical Report
- Gifted Education Programs – National Association for Gifted Children
- Special Education Services – Britannica
- Online Testing Best Practices – vsoftconsulting
- Cognitive Tests – Wikipedia
- Explaining the Cognitive Abilities Test batteries I Tutorial – YouTube
As a retired educator, I have a profound understanding of the CAT4 exam, thanks to years of training thousands of pupils. As an English and Math teacher, I have worked in international schools in Bangkok and Chiang Mai and helped students prepare for the CAT4 and MAP tests as a tutor.
