What is the Year 7 CAT Test? (CAT4 Level D) – Free Practice Questions, Format & Preparation Guide
Your complete guide to the CAT4 Level D for Year 7 students
- Plain-English overview of the Year 7 CAT Test (CAT4 Level D)
- Free practice questions and free PDF mock test
- Step-by-step format explanation and preparation tips
- Expert advice to help your child succeed
- Age: 11–12 (Year 7)
- Benchmark: 100 points
- Format: Digital & Paper
The Year 7 CAT (Cognitive Abilities Test) is a widely used school assessment in the UK designed to evaluate students’ reasoning skills in verbal, non-verbal, quantitative, and spatial domains. On this page, you’ll find a free CAT4 Level D practice test, a full explanation of the test format, and expert tips to help your child succeed.
What is the CAT4 Level D Test?
The CAT4 Level D — commonly referred to as the Year 7 CAT Test — is a standardised cognitive assessment taken by students aged 11 to 12 in the UK and internationally.
GL Assessments provide the assessment.
Who takes the CAT4 Level D?
- UK Schools: Typically administered to Year 7 students
- International Schools: Often given to Grade 6 students
- Purpose: Used for school admissions, academic placement, and identifying learning potential
What does the test include?
The CAT4 Level D measures four key areas:
- 🗣️ Verbal Reasoning
- 🧠 Nonverbal Reasoning
- ➗ Quantitative (Number) Reasoning
- 🌍 Spatial Awareness
These sections help schools understand how a student thinks, solves problems, and learns best.
What you’ll find in this guide:
Inside this article, we’ll walk you through:
- ✅ A complete breakdown of the Year 7 CAT test
- 📥 A free CAT4 Level D PDF download
- 📝 Real practice questions
- 🎯 Expert tips to help your child feel prepared and confident
Ready to Get Started?
Let’s dive into the test structure, scoring system, and what you can do to give your child an edge.
Year 7 CAT Test Practice Test
We recommend taking our CAT4 sample test in full-screen mode for the best experience.
Additionally, our explanations offer helpful tips and solutions for each question, so reviewing the final report carefully is essential.
Choose how you'd like to prepare — full course, free PDF, or personal tutoring.
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Why is it so Important?
Parents and teachers need to know a student’s academic abilities to set appropriate goals and expectations.
The Year 7 CAT Test helps identify a student’s strengths and weaknesses in learning, which can lead to finding courses that suit their needs.
You should support your child’s test preparation to ensure they can succeed in school and reach their academic potential.
CAT4 Level D Test Batteries
The Year 7 CAT Test has eight sections:
Verbal Reasoning – Verbal Classification and Verbal Analogies.
Non-Verbal Reasoning – Figure Classification and Figure Matrices.
Quantitative Reasoning – Number Analogies and Number Series.
Spatial Ability – Figure Analysis and Figure Recognition.
Practice materials for all test sections can be found in this article.
The Best CAT4 Level D Practice Tests
- Get a Full online preparation course.
- Use our Free CAT4 Level D Practice Test PDF.
- You can also use our free CAT4 Practice test.
- Another option is our Free CAT4 Sample Test.
- Use our Video tutorials.
- Use the free sample questions provided here.
Free CAT4 Level D (Year 7 CAT Test) Sample Questions
Use our free interactive CAT4 Level D sample questions.Take your time to learn from the detailed reports.Practice Area
Quantitative Reasoning Sample Question
Verbal Reasoning Sample Question
Get full access to 1,000+ CAT4 Level D practice questions with expert tips, full-length simulations, and step-by-step explanations.
Nonverbal Reasoning Sample Question
Spatial Ability Sample Questions
Choose how you'd like to prepare — full course or personal tutoring.
Preparing for the Year 7 CAT Test
Preparing for the year 7 CAT Test is essential for your child’s success in school.
Start early and use study materials to help them feel more prepared and confident on test day.
Download our Free year 7 cat test sample questions pdf.
As with any test, the more time students have to study and practice, the more comfortable and confident they will feel on test day. Therefore, preparing your child for the Year 7 Cat Test as soon as possible is advisable.
Ideally, several months before the test is scheduled. This will give your child plenty of time to review the material covered by the test and to become familiar with the test format.
Recommended Strategies
You can use several strategies to help your child study and practice for the Year 7 CAT4 Test.
One practical approach is to work with your child to create a study schedule. Set aside a dedicated time each day for your child to review the test’s material and complete practice questions.
Additionally, you can use flashcards, games, and other interactive learning tools to make studying fun and engaging for your child.
Helpful Resources
A CAT4 study guide is helpful as it gives an overview of the test material and has practice questions and test day tips.
Practice tests are also helpful as they let your child get used to the test format and see how they progress while studying.
CAT4 PDF Sample Questions can serve as an excellent study aid.
A Video Course is a way to go if you’re looking for a preparation that covers all the bases. With its comprehensive approach, it’s the perfect fit for many students.
Get Free CAT Test Examples to understand the test stracture and question type.
Maximizing Your CAT4 Level D Practice Test Experience
Schedule Dedicated Practice Sessions
Set aside time in your study schedule for taking practice tests.
It will help you get used to the test format, manage your time better, and build endurance for the CAT4 Level D Test.
Emulate Exam Conditions
Create a quiet space like the actual exam room. Turn off your phone and avoid interruptions.
Stick to the time limit for each section.
Analyze Your Performance
Review your test performance to identify strengths and areas for improvement.
This technique will help you create a personalized study plan and manage your time effectively.
Review Answer Explanations
Use the answer explanations on the practice test to understand the correct answers and learn from your errors.
This method will help you solve problems and understand essential concepts more thoroughly.
Time Management Strategies
When practising for the test, manage your time well.
Give more time to harder and more critical sections.
This trick will help you during the timed CAT4 exam.
Track Your Progress
Take practice tests often to track your progress and see how you improve in different areas.
This habit will help you feel more confident and motivated for the CAT4 exam.
Premium Practice Course
Getting good test scores can be challenging, but proper preparation can help.
You can try a full-length course to help you prepare better.
Year 7 CAT Test Video Guide
Year 7 CAT Test Sample Questions PDF
We have produced a complimentary CAT4 Level D Practice Test PDF.
To Sum Up
To help your child do well on the Year 7 CAT Test, start early, study, practice, and use helpful resources.
Following these tips will boost your child’s confidence and readiness for the test and set them up for success in school.
Get full access to 1,000+ CAT4 Level D practice questions with expert tips, full-length simulations, and step-by-step explanations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CAT4 Level D?
CAT4 Level D is the Cognitive Abilities Test typically used in Year 7 (ages 11–12) to profile reasoning skills at the start of secondary school.
Who takes this level and when?
Most Year 7 pupils take it early in the school year. Schools choose dates, but cohorts are usually tested in the same term for fair comparison.
What does this level assess?
Four areas of reasoning: verbal, non-verbal, quantitative, and spatial. Together they provide a balanced view of learning potential.
How is the test structured?
The assessment has four short, timed tests delivered in two parts, with fixed timings appropriate for Year 7 pupils.
Is it paper or online?
Schools can run Level D on paper or digitally. Your child’s school will confirm the format and instructions in advance.
How are scores reported?
Results are shown as Standard Age Scores (mean 100), percentiles, and stanines (1–9), comparing performance with same-age peers.
What is a good score at this level?
About 100 SAS is average for age. Higher SAS and stanines indicate stronger reasoning, but schools consider the whole profile, not a single number.
How do schools use the results in Year 7?
Teachers use the profile to tailor support and challenge, inform grouping and targets, and guide transition planning into secondary subjects.
How can my child prepare?
Familiarity helps: review sample item types, keep practice short and positive, and ensure good rest and a calm routine on test day.