CAT4 Test – Guide for Parents

Let’s start with a practice test!

CAT4 Practice Test

Figure Classification

The Figure Classification questions show three pictures that share a connection or a
characteristic.
Choose the answer that shares the same connection/characteristic from the answer choices.

Figure Classification:

Figure Classification:

Figure Analysis

You’ll see a folded paper with holes punched in Figure Analysis questions.

The answer choices show unfolded papers with holes punched in them.

You have to pick the answer that matches what the folded paper would look like when unfolded.

Figure Analysis

Figure Analysis

Figure Matrices

Figure Matrix questions are either 2×2 or 3×3 matrices comprised of different pictures. In each
row and column, the pictures change the same way or follow the same rule. Choose an
answer that goes in the empty box in the matrix following the same rule.

Figure Matrices:

Figure Matrices

Figure Matrices

Figure Recognition

You’ll be shown a shape with five answer options that have complex designs.

Pick the design with the same size and orientation as the shape shown.

Figure Recognition
Figure Recognition

Number Series
You’ll see numbers that follow a rule. Select a number from the choices to continue the series using the same rule.

Find the following number in the series: 3, 6, 9, 12, __

Find the next number in the series: 9 16 25 36 49 ?

Find the connection between the numbers in the first two pairs and use that connection to figure out the missing number in the third pair. Choose the number that follows the same connection as the first two pairs for the third pair.

[8 → 16] [12 → 24] [6 → ?]

[25 → 5] [49 → 7] [64 → ?]

You must pick a word that completes a second pair of words in verbal analogy questions.
The first pair of words have a unique relationship you must maintain.

hot → warm: cold →

big → huge: small →

Dog | Cat | Rabbit

Square Triangle Circle

Your score is

0%

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What is CAT4 Test?

The CAT4 test assesses students’ language, number, and spatial thinking. Created by GL Assessments, teachers use it to identify pupil strengths and weaknesses.

It also estimates how well a student can think about tasks and solve problems using various questions and overall academic potential.

CAT4 is the short term for the Cognitive Abilities Test Fourth Edition (CAT4).

The results are really important as they give teachers a way to figure out the best pace of learning. They can also use the results to see if more support is needed or if a pupil is ready for a bigger challenge.

It also acts as a selective test for international schools, and in some cases, it works as a pre-test to help the school better understand the pupil’s needs and level before the school year begins.

CAT4 exams are available for pupils 6-17 and take 2 hours and 15 minutes. It is composed of 3 parts. Each part has a timeframe of 45 minutes.

Based on GL Assessments, over 750,000 students take the exam each year.

What is the Purpose of the CAT 4 Test?

The test helps teachers find gifted students, figure out learning problems, and change teaching to fit what each student is good at.

The CAT4 Test aims to tell the true potential of a student, and it also enables teachers to adapt their teaching approaches, which is a great thing!

How is the Test Administered?

The CAT4 test is usually given at school by a trained person. It’s done on a computer and takes 2 hours and 15 minutes. But there’s also a paper version that’s less popular now.

The test can take place at any point in the academic year.

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CAT4 Format and Sections Explained

The test has four sections, with each section having a specific focus.

You will have 8-10 minutes to complete each section, and the entire test should take 45 minutes.

This article provides CAT4 Practice Test questions for all test sections.

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

CAT4

What Type of Questions Included in the CAT4 Exam

This flowchart explains each part of the CAT test.

CAT4 Test Batteries

CAT4 Test Sample

To have the best experience, we recommend taking our free CAT4 practice test in full-screen mode.

Moreover, our explanations offer helpful tips and solutions for each question.

CAT4 Video Practice Test

What is the CAT4 practice test?

We’ve got some fantastic CAT4 Exam Sample Questions to give you a taste of the real assessment.

Take your time going through each explanation – you’ll find some valuable insights and tips that will help you nail the test.

Figure Classification Sample QuestionCAT4 level f sample question Answer & step-by-step explanation:The correct answer is 5.
  • All pictures consist of two identical shapes, one bigger and one smaller.
  • The smaller object is next to the big one in any direction, not touching or overlapping.
  • The smaller shape is also flattened a bit and looks irregular. The only choice that follows that pattern is 5.

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Verbal Analogies Sample Question

Bricks → Wall: Leather →

A) Jacket B) House C) Car D) Candle E) Room

The correct answer is A. Jacket.

Leather is commonly used to make jackets. This option maintains the same relationship as the original pair, where a material (bricks) is used to create an item (wall), and leather is used to create a jacket.

Figure Recognition Sample QuestionAnswer & step-by-step explanation:The correct answer is 2.
  • The shape presented includes a right-angle triangle leaning on the rectangle.
  • Answer choice 1 has no triangle shape, so this answer is incorrect.
  • Answer choice 3 has a triangle; however, it’s not joined with the rectangle. • Answer choice 4 has no right-angle triangles.
  • Answer choice 5 has no triangles at all.

Number Series Sample Questions

Find the next number in the series: 9 18 36 72 ?

Options:
A. 142
B. 150
C. 144
D. 138
E. 146

Answer & step-by-step explanation:

The correct answer is C. In this series, the pattern is that each number is obtained by doubling the previous number. Starting with 9, we double it to get 18. Then, we double 18 to get 36, 36 to get 72, and so on. To continue the pattern, we must double the last number in the series, 72. 72 doubled is 144. Therefore, C is the correct answer.

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How can I prepare for the CAT4 exam?

Understanding the Format:

It is crucial to be familiar with the test format in advance. Take the time to understand the number of sections, the test duration, and the types of questions you will encounter on the test day.

Practice with Sample Questions:

Try practising with sample test questions online to become familiar with the test structure and question types you’ll face on test day.

Here are our best recommended CAT4 practices for you:

  1. Practice Test.
  2. Free Preparation.
  3. Free PDF Practice.
  4. Free Sample Question.

Focus on Weak Areas:

It’s helpful to find areas of difficulty and work on improving them. One way is to solve puzzles or practice visualizing objects in space.

Get Adequate Rest and Nutrition: Rest well and eat healthily on test day to enhance cognitive abilities and performance.

Is the CAT4 Test Hard?

The difficulty of the CAT4 test depends on a student’s natural cognitive abilities, preparation, and familiarity with the test format. Since the CAT4 test is designed to assess thinking skills rather than knowledge of a specific subject, its difficulty is subjective and varies among individuals.

Strategies & Tips for Taking the CAT4 Test

We’ve got 10 golden tips and strategies to help you ace the CAT4 test like a pro!

  1. Make sure you understand the test format. Familiarize yourself with the types of questions you’ll be facing, the number of questions, and the time you’ll have for each section.
  2. Practice makes perfect, so take as many practice tests as possible. This will help you get comfortable with the test format and boost your confidence on test day.
  3. Time management is key. Keep an eye on the clock and make sure you can answer all the questions within the given time.
  4. Read the instructions carefully before answering any questions. You don’t want to lose points because of a misunderstanding.
  5. Pick out the best. If you find a question you’re unsure about, don’t panic! Eliminate the options you know are wrong first, and make an educated guess.
  6. Taking care of yourself is just as important as preparing for the test. Get a good night’s sleep, have a healthy breakfast, and arrive on time.
  7. Are you feeling anxious? Most people do, so don’t be hard on yourself. Take a deep breath and remind yourself that you’ve got this!
  8. Before submitting your test, double-check all your answers, and don’t leave any questions unanswered.
  9. Want to get better? Understanding the test structure is a must! Review our infographics about all test sections explained.
  10. Stay calm, focused, and well-rested on test day. You’ve got this!

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 RangeCAT4 Test Level
6 years – 7 yearsLevel X
7 years – 8 yearsLevel Y
6 years to 8 yearsLevel Pre-A
7 years – 9 yearsLevel A
8 years – 10 yearsLevel B
9 years – 11 yearsLevel C
10 years – 12 yearsLevel D
11 years  – 13 yearsLevel E
12 years – 15 yearsLevel F
14 years – 17 years +Level G

CAT4 Test Results

Percentile RankSTENStandard Age ScoreInterpretation
98+10130+Very High Performance
84 – 978 – 9115 – 129Above Average Performance
70 – 837108 – 114High Average Performance
31 – 695 – 693 – 107Average Performance
16 – 30485 – 92Low Average Performance
3 – 152 – 370 – 84Below Average Performance
<31>70Very Low Performance

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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.

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What is the CAT4 exam in UAE?

  • Inclusivity: CAT4 is especially beneficial in the UAE, where schools cater to diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds.
  • Curriculum Alignment: Used by schools following British, American, and other international curricula to support academic planning.
  • School Admissions: Often required by schools in the UAE for admissions or streaming purposes.

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.

Conclusion

The CAT4 test is essential for testing students’ word, shape, and number thinking skills.

To do well, students should practice with sample questions and improve their weaker areas. This can help them feel more confident and do better on the test.

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

Some schools use the test as part of their admissions process.

The test is typically administered in a school setting by a trained administrator.

Yes, preparing for the test by understanding the format, practising with sample questions, and focusing on weak areas can help students perform better.

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.

The test measures a student’s cognitive abilities in four areas: verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning, spatial ability, and quantitative reasoning

Indeed, the test is designed to be challenging and appropriately assess students’ abilities at each grade and level.

Although it has some similarities, the CAT4 Test is not marked as an IQ test.

CAT4 is a cognitive ability test. The number 4 is the test version.

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.

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