CAT4 test: what it involves and how to prepare

What is the CAT4 used for?

Schools use CAT4 tests for a range of purposes. The biggest difference between CAT4 and other formative exams (such as SATs and GCSEs) is that it measures a child's natural ability and not what they have learned in the curriculum. CAT4 results give schools a more rounded view of the child's potential. The test also highlight elements of their ability that might not be immediately obvious in the classroom.

CAT4 is used by schools to:

• Assess candidates' academic ability as part of a selective school entrance exam

• Stream students into sets based on academic ability

• Provide an indicator for national tests and exams (e.g. setting predicted grades for GCSEs)

It also helps teachers:

• Evaluate their students' academic abilities and potential

• Identify students' strengths to see who might benefit from extra challenge

• Identify which students might benefit from extra support

• Identify learning strategies for individual students

• Support students' transition from primary to secondary school

What are the CAT4 levels?

The CAT4 test has 10 available levels which are aimed at different age groups. The content in each level is appropriate for that age group.

The most commonly used levels are A–G. If your child is taking the CAT4 as an 11 plus exam, they will likely take Level C or Level D.

• 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+

Structure of the CAT4

The CAT4 test is a timed assessment of 72 minutes, taken under exam conditions. It's available to schools as both a paper-based and online test.

Children will be assessed through multiple-choice questions across four 'batteries':

• Verbal reasoning

• Quantitative reasoning

• Non-verbal reasoning

• Spatial reasoning

Let's take a look at some example CAT4 questions for each section.

Part 1

The first section of the CAT4 test assesses non-verbal reasoning. This is a skill that involves solving problems and identifying patterns using pictures and diagrams. Many selective schools include 11 plus non-verbal reasoning as part of their Year 7 selection process.

In the CAT4, non-verbal reasoning is assessed through:

• Figure classification (10 minutes)

• Figure matrices (10 minutes)

Children are not allowed to use any additional resources such as a pencil or scrap paper in this section.

Figure classification

Figure classification tests your child's ability to understand, analyse and recognise visual information and patterns.

They will see a pair or a group of shapes which are similar in some way. They will then need to select one of five options that matches the group based on a shared characteristic.

Answer: E

Figure matrices

In figure matrices questions, your child will be tested on their ability to recognise changes between shapes. They will need to show their understanding by applying the same changes to other shapes.

They will see a matrix consisting of several shapes. One piece of the matrix will be missing. They will need to identify how the shapes change within the matrix to identify the missing piece from the options provided.

Answer: C

Part 2

The second part of the CAT4 test assesses verbal reasoning and quantitative reasoning.

• Verbal reasoning tests how we think and solve problems using written information. Many grammar and private schools include 11 plus verbal reasoning as part of their Year 7 entry process.

• Quantitative reasoning is designed to test maths skills and involves processing patterns using numbers.

Part 2 of the CAT4 test consists of three individually-timed sections:

• Verbal classification (8 minutes)

• Verbal analogies (8 minutes)

• Number analogies (10 minutes)

Children are not allowed to use any additional resources in this section.

Verbal classification

In the verbal classification test, children will see two groups of words. They will need to select two words – one from each group – which have the most closely associated meaning.

Answer: C (prove) and E (open)

Verbal analogies

In the verbal analogies test, your child will need to work out the relationship between a pair of words. A third word will be presented, and your child needs to apply the same pattern from the first pair to complete the second pair.

Answer: C (solve) and F (break)

Number analogies

Your child will see triplets of numbers that are linked together using a common rule. A number will be missing in the third triplet. They will need to work out the common rule, then apply it to the third triplet to solve the missing number.

Unlike the previous tests, your child will be allowed a pencil and paper for working out in this section.

Answer: B (60)

Part 3

The third and final part of the CAT4 test involves more quantitative reasoning questions and tests spatial ability. This is a skill which involves transforming visual images in the mind. It's commonly used in STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering and maths).

There are three shorter timed sections:

• Number series (8 minutes)

• Figure analysis (9 minutes)

• Figure recognition (9 minutes)

Your child will be allowed a pencil and paper for rough working out in the number series section, but not for figure analysis or figure recognition.

Number series

Your child will see a sequence of numbers which are linked by a rule. They need to analyse the numbers to work out the rule, then apply it to find the missing numbers in the sequence.

Answer: A (36)

Figure analysis

In the figure analysis test, your child will see an image of a square that has been folded and holes punched out of it. They will need to visualise how the square would look if it was unfolded, and select the correct square from five options.

Answer: B

Figure recognition

Your child will be tested on their ability to recognise shapes within other shapes. They will need to identify, from five options built of more complex shapes, which option has the shape hidden within it.

Answer: C

How is the CAT4 marked?

Your child's CAT4 test will be marked by computer. Marks are given for every correct answer and combined to calculate a raw score.

This raw score will then be converted into a Standardised Age Score (SAS). This is a statistical process that takes into account your child's age in years and months at the time of taking the test, ensuring that younger children in the year group are not disadvantaged. The SAS is usually the most important piece of data that schools will take from the test results. A SAS score of 100 places a child as exactly average for their age group.

The test will provide schools with other key pieces of data, such as:

• National percentile ranking (NPR): indicates how the student's score compares to the national cohort, ranked from low (0) to high (100).

• Stanine rank (ST): often seen as a visual representation of your child's SAS score when mapped onto a curve, from 1 (low) to 9 (high). A stanine rank of 5 indicates that the child is working at the average ability level for their year group.

The image below shows a student's data after completing a CAT4 practice test on Atom.