CAT4 Scores

To fully grasp the significance of CAT4 Test results, it's essential to understand the various score types provided in the assessment report. Let's explore each type of CAT4 score and its significance. 

Raw Score 

• The Raw Score is simply the number of questions answered correctly by the student 

Normative Scores 

Based on the Raw Score, three types of Normative Scores are calculated: 

This is the most important score used by schools

• It has a mean of 100 and a standard deviation of 15
• Scores range from 69 to 141
• A score of 100 represents average performance for a student's age group
• Scores of 112 and above are considered above average
• Scores of 88 and below are considered below average

• Ranges from 1 (lowest) to 9 (highest)
• Provides a quick overview of performance

• Ranges from 1 (lowest) to 99 (highest)
• Indicates how a student's performance compares to the national cohort

The Standard Age Score (SAS) is the most important score in a CAT4 report because it allows children of different ages to be compared fairly.

A child's raw score is adjusted according to their exact age in years and months on the day of the test. This means a younger child is not compared directly with older classmates who may have had more time to develop their reasoning skills.

For example, if two children are in the same class but one was born in September and the other in August, the CAT4 takes this age difference into account when calculating their SAS. Each child is compared with other children of the same age rather than with everyone in their year group.

This age adjustment helps ensure that CAT4 results provide an accurate picture of a child's reasoning ability, regardless of when they were born.

CAT4 scores are highly sensitive to your child’s exact age at the time of testing. To keep things fair, the test uses specific age-matched levels. This ensures your child isn't accidentally penalized or given an unfair advantage based on their birth month, keeping their final score accurate and reliable.

No "Ceiling" Effects: Selective schools testing highly able students often use an advanced level so top-tier students can showcase their true capabilities without running out of harder questions.

Schools use CAT4 scores for several major educational decisions:

• School Admissions: Many grammar, private, and British international schools use these scores to make admissions and student placement decisions.

• Class Placement: Results help schools group students into appropriate ability streams for different subjects.

• Setting Goals: Teachers use the scores to set realistic target grades for future national exams like GCSEs.

• Tracking Progress: Regular testing helps schools monitor your child's academic growth over time.

If you are applying to selective schools, keep these benchmarks in mind:

• International Schools: British international schools frequently use CAT4 Level D or Level E for admissions. High scores combined with good school report cards greatly improve acceptance chances.

• Private Schools: Independent schools often use the CAT4 for entrance exams. For Year 7 candidates, competitive schools typically look for a Standardized Age Score (SAS) of 115 or higher.

The CAT4 creates a "learning profile" that reveals your child's preferred learning style and hidden talents that might not show up in daily schoolwork:

• Spatial Thinkers: Children with high spatial scores often excel in STEM subjects, coding, and engineering, even if their written essays are just average.
• Verbal Thinkers: Children with high verbal scores naturally thrive in reading-heavy, writing, and discussion-based environments.
• Mathematical Thinkers: Children with high quantitative scores excel at spotting patterns in numbers, solving logical sequences, and handling complex math problems.
• Non-Verbal Thinkers: Children who excel here are highly skilled at visual problem-solving, analyzing diagrams, and understanding how geometric shapes fit together without relying on words.
• Balanced Thinkers: Children with even scores across all sections adapt quickly and easily to most school subjects because they use multiple thinking styles equally well.

Schools look for specific score ranges to identify highly able and gifted students:

• Score of 130+: A student scoring 130 or above in one or more areas is typically identified as gifted.
• Score of 120 to 129: This range indicates a highly able student who requires extra academic challenges.
• Holistic View: Schools combine these high scores with daily classroom performance to ensure all talented students receive advanced coursework, regardless of their background.

A low CAT4 score does not mean a child lacks intelligence. It acts as an early warning system to help schools and parents step in with the right support.

Common Factors Behind Low Scores

• Test anxiety or panic caused by strict time limits

• Language barriers for English as an Additional Language (EAL) students

• Undiagnosed learning difficulties or Special Educational Needs (SEND)

Action Steps Schools Take

• Providing small group math or reading interventions

• Offering one-on-one help for students with low verbal scores

• Screening for special educational needs or testing reading ages

• Re-testing the student after six months to get a more accurate reflection of their ability

CAT4 scoring is done by a computer in both paper and online editions. The paper-based test scores are sent to GL Assessment and the scored reports are return to the school in up to fifteen workdays. The computer-based edition reports are scored automatically and receivable on demand.

 The CAT4 is significantly different from the regular curriculum program. Therefore, familiarizing students with the testing material prior to the exam is crucial. To help you prepare, TestPrep-Online currently offers CAT4 Practice Packs for Level A, Level B, Level C, Level D, Level E, Level F, and Level G, all containing sample questions, practice tests, and detailed explanations!