5 Tips to do well in a CAT4 test

If your child is sitting the CAT4 (Cognitive Abilities Test) soon, it is important to be aware of how this test differs to other online tests such as the ISEB Pre-Test.

Let’s look at what the CAT4 involves, how it’s used, and five practical ways to help your child perform their best.

What is the CAT4 Test?

The CAT4 (Cognitive Abilities Test) is used in many UK and international schools.

It is supposed to test general intelligence and does not require any preparation, although there is a lot of overlap with the content for other tests involving reasoning such as the ISEB Pre-Test. The four main areas are:

• Verbal reasoning – understanding and using words logically

• Non-verbal reasoning – recognising patterns and relationships between shapes

• Quantitative reasoning – identifying relationships involving numbers

• Spatial ability – mentally visualising and manipulating shapes in space

  
  

CAT4 Levels and Age Groups

The CAT4 test is used in the schools admissions process from Year 4 all the way through to Year 11. Here are the CAT4 levels with the typical year groups:

• Level A (Year 4)

• Level B (Year 5)

• Level C (Year 6) - used for 11+ entry to senior schools

• Level D (Year 7)

• Level E (Year 8)

• Level F (Year 9/10)

• Level G (Year 11+) - used for 16+ entry to senior schools

Each level increases slightly in complexity, but the overall structure remains consistent. Each test has sections of questions testing verbal, non-verbal, quantitative, and spatial reasoning.

How Schools Use CAT4 Results

Your child will receive a Standardised Age Score (SAS) in Verbal, Quantitative, Non-Verbal and Spatial reasoning and then an overall average. The national UK average is 100; in independent schools the average is 110 and in the very top schools 120+. Schools use CAT4 results in several ways:

• To monitor progress and predict future attainment

• To inform teaching and grouping decisions (e.g. identifying strengths or learning needs)

• As part of the admissions process, particularly for independent or selective schools in the UK and abroad

Parents will usually receive a breakdown with scores for each section.

5 Tips to Do Well in the CAT4

1) Know the Question Types

Although the CAT4 does not require previous preparation, the reality is that most students will practise for the exam either with timetabled reasoning lessons in their school; with reasoning subscriptions or with a tutor. Therefore if you child practises certain question types, e.g. analogies, figure matrices, number series, spatial rotations, in advance, they will naturally feel more confident. Old paper-based reasoning exams can also be a very useful resource as old reasoning questions are often recycled in an electronic format.

2) Practise under time pressure

Each CAT4 section is strictly timed, and students often struggle to finish all the questions. Regular practice under exam conditions helps build focus, pacing, and decision-making. When doing practice questions, set a timer (generous at first and increasingly reduce time) to train your child to move on quickly if they’re unsure. With this (unlike other tests) there is no penalty for skipping questions.

3) Read a lot

Vocabulary plays a huge part in the verbal reasoning sections. The best (and only real way) to build vocabulary and improve spelling is by reading high-level, advanced books. It is important to make sure your child is reading regularly every single day. This is a long-term solution and there is no quick fix for this verbal reasoning section.

4) Practise correct exam technique

For some tests (e.g. ISEB Pre-Test) which are adaptive, it is wise to take your time and move through carefully. The CAT4 however is non-adaptive, meaning that every question is worth the same number of points and has the same level of difficulty. Encourage your child, if they do not know a question, to write down the question number, skip it and come back. If they do cannot find the right answer, encourage your child to eliminate any options which are wrong and then take an educated guess from the remaining options. They need to get as many questions right as possible and there is no penalty for getting questions wrong.

5) Do full mock tests

Lots of online platforms offer mock sample tests. None are perfect but doing a range of practice tests under exam conditions will help to build confidence. It is important not to overdo this. If your child is not getting a good score, assess individual topics which are weak rather than just doing endless mocks which can discourage them. Use the mock tests as a way of finding weak areas and then do targeted practice on those topics.

Final Thoughts

Remember that the CAT4 test may share similar content to other tests but it is important to prepare carefully for it in its own right. See my Parent’s Briefing as a starting point mrsebastian.co.uk/start and please contact me with any questions sebastianj.tutor@gmail.com!