Supporting your child with CAT test preparation

What to expect in the CAT test and how to prepare

The CAT4 test is a Cognitive Abilities Test made by GL Assessments. The CAT4 tests provides a more rounded view of a child’s academic capability.

The CAT4 test assesses children in four main areas. These include Verbal, Non-Verbal, Quantitative and Spatial Reasoning. During the test a child will complete a variety of tasks, these include problem-solving using pictures and diagrams and applying numerical skills and transforming visual images. These questions test your child on the foundational skills required for all subjects at school, university and beyond.

What is the format of the CAT4 test?

The CAT4 is a multiple-choice, timed assessment, taken under exam conditions. The test itself is 72 minutes and is split into 3 parts. There are 8 subsections including: Figure Classification, Figure Matrices, Verbal, Classification, Verbal Analogies, Number Analogies, Number Series, Figure Analysis and Figure Recognition. At the start of each section there will be a brief overview of practice examples to familiarise the style and format of the questions.

How are CAT4 results used?

Results from the CAT4 test allow teachers to identify strengths and areas for development. They display which learning strategies will be most effective and the level of support they will need to reach their full potential. This test is used by some schools as part of their admissions process, often alongside additional Key Stage 2 assessments or an interview. The test can also be used to stream students into academic sets so as to ensure that the teaching methods and pace are right for each child.

The Standardised Age Score (SAS) is the most important piece of information derived from the CAT4. The SAS is based on the student’s raw score which is adjusted based on their age at the time of their exam. The standardised age score is then mapped onto a normal distribution curve. Achieving an SAS score of 100 places a student as exactly average for their year group. With our Exam Preparation Plus package on Atom Nucleus, your child will receive a SAS score for each mock test they complete. We recommend that students aim for a SAS score of at least 115+ in an Atom Learning Mock Test for entry into top UK selective schools.

How Atom can help?

It is important to perform as well as possible in CAT4 tests. Gaining entry into a top set at a top school will give your child a huge advantage in any exams to come all the way up to A-Level.

Your child can practice both Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning skills with our Exam Preparation packages. With an Exam Preparation Plus subscription, your child can also practice exam technique using our CAT4 mock tests. These tests mirror the real assessment in terms of timings, number of questions and skill-based content. Familiarity with CAT4 tests will help your child to perform at their best when sitting their real exams.

Verbal Reasoning

Verbal Classification

Identify the link between three words which are similar in some way and select the answer that goes best.

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Verbal Analogies

Look at a verbal analogy in the form of ‘A=B : C=_’. Work out how the first pair of words is related to each other and then select the word that completes the second pair.

Quantitative Reasoning

Number Analogies

Look at three pairs of numbers, such as ‘4-6, 8-10, 9-_’. Work out how the pairs of numbers are related and then complete the third pair.

Number Series

Identify the rule in the number series and work out what number is needed to complete the sequence.

Non-Verbal Reasoning

Figure Classification

Identify the link or characteristic that the given images have in common and select the image that goes best with them.

Figure Matrices

Work out how the first pair of figures in the matrix is related to each other and then select the one that completes the second pair.

Spatial Ability

Figure Analysis

Look at the given image of a square that is repeatedly folded and then has one or more holes punched through it. Work out what the paper would look like when unfolded.

Figure Recognition

Locate the given target shape within the answer choices.

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How to help your child prepare

Top tip!

Remind your child to read the question carefully to understand what they are being asked to do. Use the process of elimination to identify the answers that are definitely wrong to help them find the correct answer!

Verbal & Quantitative Reasoning

Progress through the Verbal Reasoning Exam Prep Plan on Atom. Quantitative Reasoning questions are included within Verbal Reasoning.
The key to answering Verbal Reasoning questions is developing a rich vocabulary and reading is the best way to do this. Encourage your child to read a variety of literature, including fiction and non-fiction, using Atom’s Recommended Reading Lists to help them choose a book.
Your child should write down any new words they come across in a vocabulary log. They should write down the word, along with the definition, a synonym and antonym, and an example of the word being used in a sentence to see the word in context.
Synonyms and Antonyms are used extensively in Verbal Reasoning questions. Practise these by setting Custom Practices for your child under:
- English - Vocabulary - Meaning of Words - Antonyms and Synonyms.
Your child should be confident in identifying patterns and relationships between numbers. Practise arithmetic by working through the Maths Exam Prep Plan on Atom to build number fluency.

Non-Verbal Reasoning and Spatial Ability

Progress through the Non-Verbal Reasoning Exam Prep Plan on Atom. Spatial Ability question types are included within Non-Verbal Reasoning.
Typically, the same approach can be used for all Non-Verbal Reasoning and Spatial Ability question types. For every question which includes a shape or image, your child should remember to look at the key appearance features: Number, Size, Shape, Total, Angle, Colour, Pattern

A good mnemonic to remember this is - 'Never Say Stop To A Cute Panda’!

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Encourage your child to use pencil and paper to help them visualise the answer more clearly. Eg. your child can make their own nets and cube experiment and see what happens when they fold the sides in different ways.

Top tip!

Use Atom’s CAT4 Mock Tests to familiarise your child with the style and content of the test.

Please note that you must have an Exam Preparation Plus subscription to access Atom's unlimited mock tests.