Cognitive Abilities Test 4 (CAT4)

What is the CAT4 Exam?

The fourth edition of the Cognitive Abilities Test (known as CAT4) is the UK's most widely used reasoning ability assessment test, designed to help schools understand students' abilities and develop them. It is administered throughout the UK and Ireland and by many international schools worldwide to students aged 6 to 17.

Developed and delivered by GL-Assessment, based on years of thorough research, this edition of the CAT4 helps identify individual students' strengths and weaknesses while also monitoring the performance of groups of students. It is designed to measure cognitive reasoning skills while demanding little reading comprehension and arithmetical skills, thus making the test less biased towards native speakers. Cronbach's Alpha formula confirmed the CAT4's reliability.

CAT4 Test Levels

GL-Assessment administers the CAT4 in 10 different test levels, with each level aimed at other age groups. The following table presents all test levels and their matching target year group and age range:

Except for the three lowest test levels (X, Y, & Pre-A), which are designed for very young children and thus administered in a different format and structure, the content of each of the higher levels (A to G) is similar in terms of format and question types. The main distinction between them is in their increasing difficulty level, which corresponds to the overlapping configuration of target year groups.

CAT4 Levels A-G Format & Structure

GL Assessment's CAT4 has both paper-based and computer-based versions; each takes approximately two hours to complete. The primary test levels (A-G) have four different batteries, with each containing two subsections:

The test is administered in three parts, each divided into two or three short tests:

Students are allowed to solve the questions from the same battery in any order they'd like but can only answer questions from one battery at a time.

CAT4 Question Types

Here is some detailing about the type of questions covered in CAT4. The questions in the test are all multiple-choice questions:

• Verbal Classification: These questions measure students' ability to recognize a relation amongst words. They show a group of words with a specific connection and ask the student to choose a word from the answer choices that fit the group.
• Verbal Analogies: Questions of this sort present a couple of words with a relation between them and an additional word. The student should find a word from the answer choices that could go with the presented word while holding the same relation that the given couple of words share.
• Number Analogies: Like Verbal Analogies, the student gets a pair of numbers linked somehow and a single number of other couples. The goal is to spot a rule in the relationship between the numbers and find an answer choice that would share the same relationship with the single number given.
• Number Series: These questions require the students to figure out a mathematical connection shared by a series of numbers and choose from the answer choices a number that could appear at the end of the sequence and match that connection.
• Figure Classification: These questions use figures rather than words or numbers to examine work with different reasoning. Students should choose a shape from the answer choices with a common feature to three given figures.
• Figure Matrices: These questions are either 2x2 or 3x3 matrices, comprised of pictures that change a certain way or follow a common rule. The student must choose an answer choice that completes the matrix and follows the same rule.
• Figure Analysis: These questions measure the students' ability to handle spatial reasoning. Each question presents a paper being folded in a certain way and then punched with holes. The students must choose from the answer choices the final product of the unfolded paper.
• Figure Recognition: Students are presented with a target figure and five complex shapes for answer choices in these questions. They must choose the answer choice that contains the target figure in the same size and orientation.

Find out more about the CAT4 different sections and question types.

Benefits of Taking the CAT4 

Schools use the CAT4 to adjust the learning experience to student-group and individual needs. As a result, teachers gain insight into subjects that students find difficult and can adequately support them. Moreover, CAT4 questions require reasoning skills other than relying on mathematical or verbal solid skills, thus allowing students with a language barrier or dyslexia to do well.

CAT4, as the name suggests, is a cognitive test, and as such, it measures skills that are also being tested in gifted children's programs. The CAT4 informative reports help teachers identify those talented children and support their studying in an environment that will further foster their abilities.

An additional value the CAT4 has is identifying students who are having difficulties. Due to its unique structure, students who receive low scores in the CAT4 reports often do so for a reason. For example, the reports allow the teachers to check if the child randomly guessed questions or had difficulty with a specific subject.  

Can You Prepare for the CAT4?

As in many cognitive assessments, the CAT4 has specific recurring patterns, and getting familiar with these patterns increases the chances to score higher.

In addition to getting familiar with the test's patterns, enriching vocabulary can help score high on the verbal analogies and verbal classification sections. Moreover, enriching your vocabulary is possible within a relatively short time and can even be fun.

Lastly, remember that the test day is usually accompanied by anxiety, impacting the student's performance on the test. Getting familiar with the CAT4's content and format and practising under the same time limit as in the real test is likely to reduce anxiety and impact the student's performance. Hence, the results of the test will more accurately reflect the ability of the student.

CAT4 Test Practice Online

This Cognitive Ability Test has a unique question format and strict time limitation, making it seem daunting to many students. However, proper preparation before the exam can help the student feel more comfortable and at ease with CAT4's testing format and expectations.

Practising with CAT4 sample questions and explanations allows students to familiarize themselves with the test and gives them the confidence to succeed. Properly preparing also has the advantage of recognizing strengths and weaknesses and functioning without stress under time constraints.

TestPrep-Online’s CAT4 Level A, Level D, Level E, and Level G PrepPacks include tutorials, practise tests, study guides, tips, detailed explanations, and examples for learning strategies.

Are you looking for other levels? Have a look at our CogAT Packs, containing a thorough preparation process for the US popularly used cognitive ability test, which features many similar materials to the ones used on the CAT4.  Although the CogAT has slightly different and some missing components compared to the CAT4, if you are missing the required CAT4 level, practising with CogAT materials, alongside some basic CAT4 materials, can make for a great combination that can give your child the edge.

Contact us at  ask_eitan@testprep-online.com if you are having trouble deciding which practice packs are right for you, and we will help you get the materials you need.