Prepare for your academic assessment with our comprehensive CAT4 Practice Test resources. The Cognitive Abilities Test (CAT4) is a widely used assessment that measures a student's reasoning abilities across four distinct batteries: verbal, non-verbal, quantitative, and spatial. Our free practice materials are designed to familiarize students with the unique format of the CAT4 exam and boost confidence before test day.
Whether you are a parent helping your child prepare for school entrance exams or a student aiming to improve your Standard Age Score (SAS), our CAT4 test questions provide targeted practice. From CAT4 Level A for younger students to Level G for older pupils, mastering these reasoning skills is essential for academic success. Start with our CAT4 sample questions today to identify strengths and areas for improvement.
The CAT4 exam assesses reasoning potential rather than learned knowledge, making it a powerful tool for identifying a student's academic potential. Unlike traditional subject tests, the CAT4 test evaluates how students think and solve problems using words, numbers, shapes, and space. Practice with the free CAT4 practice test on PracticeTestGeeks (200+ questions with answer explanations).
If you are searching for CAT4 test practice free of charge, start with the questions on this page: every answer comes with an explanation, and the study notes below cover the CAT4 exam topics in order. Sensible CAT4 exam preparation means learning what each of the four batteries looks like, not memorising answers, because the CAT 4 test is built to measure reasoning rather than revision.
Test-takers preparing for achievement will find our achievement test 2026 invaluable for mastering the content and format before exam day.
Prepare for the CAT4 - Cognitive Abilities Test Fourth Edition exam with our free practice test modules. Each quiz covers key topics to help you pass on your first try.
Numbers in brackets link to the official sources listed under Sources & last verified. Dates that have passed are removed automatically.
| Item | Detail | Source · Verified |
|---|---|---|
| Time limit (Levels X and Pre-A (ages 6-8)) | 2 x 30 minutes[1] | GL Assessment (GL Education internationally), a Renaissance company · Oct 19, 2026 |
| Passing score | No pass mark; Standard Age Score average = 100[2] | GL Assessment (GL Education internationally), a Renaissance company · Oct 14, 2026 |
| Exam fee | School-purchased only; no public price list[3] | GL Assessment (GL Education internationally), a Renaissance company · Oct 17, 2026 |
| Retake policy | Retest after at least 6 months[2] | GL Assessment (GL Education internationally), a Renaissance company · Oct 14, 2026 |
| Delivery | Digital (PC or tablet) or paper, at school[2] | GL Assessment (GL Education internationally), a Renaissance company · Oct 14, 2026 |
| Eligibility | Ages 6 to 17+, through their school[1] | GL Assessment (GL Education internationally), a Renaissance company · Oct 19, 2026 |
| Score release (Digital edition) | Scored automatically on completion[2] | GL Assessment (GL Education internationally), a Renaissance company · Oct 14, 2026 |
Interactive CAT4 resources on PracticeTestGeeks, free to start:
According to GL Assessment (GL Education internationally), a Renaissance company, “These are presented on a standardised score scale where the average for each age group is set to 100”[2]
These are practice questions written for this site, not questions from the real exam. Each explanation shows why the right answer is right and why the others are wrong.
Question: Which of the following pairs has the same relationship as Hot is to Cold?
Answer: B. Summer is to Winter
Explanation:
The correct answer is Summer is to Winter. Hot and cold are opposites, so you need the pair that is also made of opposites. Summer and winter sit at opposite ends of the year in the same way.
Day is to Sun is wrong because the pair links a period of time with an object, not two opposites. Fast is to Quick is wrong because the words mean nearly the same thing. Happy is to Joyful is wrong for the same reason: they are synonyms.
The rule to remember: before you look at the options, say the relationship in your own words, such as "these are opposites". Then test each option against that sentence. Do not pick a pair just because the words feel related or often appear together.
Question: When two transformations occur at once (rotation and shading), the best approach is to:
Answer: A. Track each change separately
Explanation:
The correct answer is to track each change separately. When a shape is rotated and its shading also changes, the changes are independent rules. If you follow the rotation on its own and then the shading on its own, you can predict each part of the answer without the two getting tangled.
Ignoring one change is wrong because the correct figure needs both rules applied. Guessing randomly is wrong because it throws away the pattern the question is built on. Only looking at size is wrong because size is just one feature, and here the changes are rotation and shading.
The rule to remember: when a figure changes in more than one way, list the changes as separate rules, apply them one at a time, and compare the result with the options.
Question: In a 2×2 matrix, the top row shows a small circle → large circle. The bottom row shows a small square → which shape completes the matrix?
Answer: A. Large square
Explanation:
The correct answer is a large square. In the top row, a small circle becomes a large circle, so the shape stays the same and only its size changes, from small to large. The bottom row should follow the same rule: a small square stays a square and becomes large.
Small triangle is wrong because the shape changes, which the top row never does. Large circle is wrong because it keeps the size change but swaps the shape for the one from the top row. Small circle is wrong because it changes the shape and leaves the size unchanged.
The rule to remember: in a matrix, work out what changes across the completed row, then apply exactly that change to the row with the gap, and nothing more.
Start with the official material. Read the information for parents on the GL support site, so you know what the test is and what the scores mean. Then ask your school which edition your child will sit, digital or paper, so practice can look similar to test day.
Next, try our general CAT4 practice test to see which question types feel easy and which feel slow. Make a short note of each weak type. Then work through the sets that match them: verbal analogies and verbal classification, number series and quantitative analogies, figure analysis, figure classification and figure matrices, and spatial ability.
After every set, go back over the questions that were wrong and say the rule in your own words, for example "these are opposites" or "the shape stays the same and only the size changes". This habit helps more than doing extra sets without review.
Keep sessions short and calm, especially for younger pupils. Because the test measures reasoning and not recall, the aim is to be familiar with the formats, not to drill answers. Since there is no pass mark, treat practice as a way to remove surprises, and leave a long gap before any retest.
Most searches for a CATs test free of charge come from parents of pupils starting secondary school in England, where many schools sit the CAT4 in the first weeks of Year 7. Pupils aged 10:06 to 12:11 take Level D, so a CAT 4 Year 7 free test should mirror that level: eight strictly timed tests across the Verbal, Quantitative, Non-verbal and Spatial batteries, 72 minutes of testing in total, with every question multiple-choice.
Schools use the Year 7 results as a baseline. Each battery produces a Standard Age Score (mean 100, standard deviation 15) that compares the pupil with others of the same age in months, plus a stanine from 1 to 9 and a national percentile rank. Because the score is age-adjusted, a summer-born pupil is not disadvantaged against an autumn-born classmate.
GL Assessment does not publish past papers, and only schools can buy the assessment, so genuine Year 7 CATs free test papers do not exist. What our free CATs practice test does is remove the surprise factor: a child who has already met Figure Matrices, Number Analogies, paper folding and hidden-shape questions spends the real sitting reasoning instead of decoding instructions. For CAT4 test practice in Year 7, work one battery at a time, keep to the 8 to 10 minute test timings, and review the explanation for every wrong answer before moving on.
A free CAT4 practice test is most useful when it copies the structure of the real assessment. The CAT4 has four batteries with two short tests each: Verbal (Verbal Classification, Verbal Analogies), Quantitative (Number Analogies, Number Series), Non-verbal (Figure Classification, Figure Matrices) and Spatial (Figure Analysis, Figure Recognition). Together the eight tests take 72 minutes of strictly timed work, and every item is multiple-choice.
Practise one battery per session rather than mixing question types. Time each test, then review every explanation, including the questions answered correctly, so the reasoning pattern sticks. Spatial questions such as paper folding and hidden shapes are usually the least familiar, so give them extra sessions.
Keep expectations realistic. GL Assessment does not publish past papers and advises against heavy preparation before a live sitting, because the Standard Age Score (mean 100, standard deviation 15) is meant to reflect reasoning ability, not rehearsal. The aim of free CAT4 practice is familiarity with the question formats and timing, so that on test day a student spends the minutes reasoning rather than reading instructions for the first time.
The "CAT test" people search for is the Cognitive Abilities Test Fourth Edition, or CAT4, published by GL Assessment. It is taken at school under formal test conditions, either digitally on a PC or tablet or as a paper test, and it is for students aged 6 to 17+, who sit the level that matches their age. It measures reasoning in words, numbers, shapes and space rather than what a pupil has memorised, which is why a CAT 4 test cannot be crammed for like a subject exam.
There is no pass mark. Results are reported as Standard Age Scores, where the average for each age group is set to 100, so a CAT4 exam shows a pupil's strengths rather than a pass or fail. Parents cannot book the test themselves, because only schools can buy it from GL Assessment. Use a CAT4 sample test and our CAT4 sample questions to see the four batteries beforehand: Verbal, Quantitative, Non-verbal and Spatial. Those who need CAT 4 prep for a different level, such as CAT4 Level A or a Year 9 sitting, should start with the same battery-by-battery routine and then move to the level their school uses.
Parents looking for CAT test Year 7 practice papers free of charge will not find official past papers, because GL Assessment does not publish them and sells the CAT4 only to schools. The best free alternative is a set of practice questions in the same eight-test format, which is what this page offers. Try the free CAT4 test practice for Year 7, then repeat it for other year groups such as a CAT4 practice test free for Year 6 or a CATs test Year 7 revision session.
A simple routine works well. Do one battery at a time, time each short test, and read the explanation for every answer. For a free CAT4 Level B practice test, choose questions that match your child's age band, since the school picks the level. If you are searching for a CAT4 test practice free download, remember that the online questions here give instant explanations and need no printing. Keep sessions short and relaxed, since the aim is familiarity with the question styles, not pressure.
CAT 4 exams are the Cognitive Abilities Test Fourth Edition sittings that schools buy from GL Assessment and run in class. A CAT4 exam is taken at school under formal test conditions, either digitally on a PC or tablet or on paper, and it is aimed at students aged 6 to 17+, each sitting the level that matches their age. The questions are grouped into four batteries: Verbal, Quantitative, Non-verbal and Spatial, with two short tests in each.
Unlike a subject exam, CAT 4 exams have no pass mark. Results are reported as Standard Age Scores, where the average for each age group is set to 100, and teachers use the profile to spot strengths, plan support and set targets. Parents cannot book the test themselves, so the practical way to prepare is to learn the question styles with a free CAT4 practice test, time each short test, and read every explanation. If a score looks unreliable, GL Assessment advises a retest after a gap of at least six months.
A CAT4 test in Year 9 uses the same four batteries as every other year group: Verbal, Quantitative, Non-verbal and Spatial. The difference is the level, because the school chooses the one that matches each student's age, so Year 9 pupils sit harder items than the CAT4 practice test free for Year 6 or Year 7 questions. Many secondary schools repeat the test in Year 9 to compare the new Standard Age Scores with the Year 7 baseline and to guide subject choices. In England and Wales, GL Assessment recommends Level F for Year 9 and Year 10, normed for students aged 12:06 to 15:11.
The best CAT4 test practice for Year 9 is short, regular and review-led. Work one battery per session, time each test, and spend extra time on Spatial items such as paper folding and hidden shapes, which are the least familiar. Our free CAT4 practice questions come with an explanation for each answer, so you can see the reasoning pattern rather than memorise a result. There is no pass mark, so the aim is a steady, accurate profile, not a perfect score.
CAT4 Level B is the level GL Assessment recommends for Year 5 in England and Wales (P6 in Scotland, Year 6 in Northern Ireland), and its norms cover students aged 8:06 to 10:11. A free CAT4 Level B practice test should therefore use the same four batteries as the real sitting, Verbal, Quantitative, Non-verbal and Spatial, each with two short tests: Verbal Classification and Verbal Analogies, Number Analogies and Number Series, Figure Classification and Figure Matrices, and Figure Analysis and Figure Recognition.
Level B questions follow the same formats as the higher levels, but the vocabulary and number work are pitched at a younger age band, because each CAT4 level is written with overlapping, progressively harder content. If a child sits Level B outside its age range, GL Assessment scores them against the nearest end of that range, so a pupil aged 11:06 is scored as if 10:11.
For practice, keep sessions short: one battery at a time, read every explanation, and give extra time to paper-folding and hidden-shape items, which children meet least often in class. The school chooses the level, so check with your child's teacher before focusing only on Level B questions.
A CAT4 practice test free for Year 6 should match the level the school will actually use. In England and Wales, GL Assessment recommends Level C for Year 6 (P7 in Scotland, Year 7 in Northern Ireland), with norms for pupils aged 9:06 to 11:11. Primary schools that test at the end of the summer term to pass results on to secondary schools may use Level D instead, the level intended for the following year, so ask the class teacher which one your child will sit.
Level C uses the same four batteries as the higher levels: Verbal (Verbal Classification, Verbal Analogies), Quantitative (Number Analogies, Number Series), Non-verbal (Figure Classification, Figure Matrices) and Spatial (Figure Analysis, Figure Recognition). A good Year 6 routine is one battery per session, timed, followed by reading every explanation, including for the questions answered correctly. Our free CAT4 practice questions cover all eight question types, so a Year 6 pupil meets paper folding and hidden shapes before test day. The same habits carry straight into CAT4 test practice for Year 7, because Level D keeps the formats and raises the difficulty. There is no pass mark: results are Standard Age Scores, where the average for each age group is set to 100.
Grade 3 pupils in international schools are usually around 8 to 9 years old, the same age band as Year 4 in England and Wales, for which GL Assessment recommends CAT4 Level A (norms for ages 7:06 to 9:11, also used for 3rd class in Ireland). A school can choose a neighbouring level for a particular group, so confirm the level before you practise.
Level A already has the full structure of the older levels: Verbal, Quantitative, Non-verbal and Spatial batteries, each with two short multiple-choice tests. Questions are pitched at a younger age, with simpler vocabulary and number work. For a Grade 3 child, keep free CAT 4 practice light: one battery per session, a few questions at a time, and talk through each explanation together rather than chasing a score. Parents cannot book the CAT4 themselves, because only schools can buy it from GL Assessment, so the goal of home practice is simply familiarity with the question styles.
Quick review for Verbal, Non-Verbal, Quantitative & Spatial Reasoning
This comprehensive CAT4 study guide covers everything you need to know about the Cognitive Abilities Test. From exam structure to scoring, use these tabs to navigate key information about the CAT4 test.
Understanding your CAT4 Standard Age Score (SAS) is key to knowing where you stand academically.
| SAS Score Range | Stanine | Description | Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🏆 127+ | 9 | Very High | Top 4% |
| 🥇 119 - 126 | 8 | Above Average | Top 11% |
| 🥈 112 - 118 | 7 | Above Average | Top 23% |
| 🥉 104 - 111 | 6 | High Average | Top 40% |
| 📊 97 - 103 | 5 | Average | Middle 20% |
Working through a CAT4 practice test free of charge, plus our CAT4 practice questions is often a fraction of the cost of private school tuition, yet it can be the key to securing a scholarship or place.
Start your CAT test practice with our free CAT4 practice questions and comprehensive study guides today.
Try these questions from our free CAT4 practice tests. The correct answer and an explanation follow each question.
The CAT4 is a test of cognitive abilities, reasoning, and problem-solving skills.
Answer: A. TRUE
This statement is true. The CAT4 is specifically designed to assess a student's cognitive abilities across four key areas: verbal, non-verbal, quantitative, and spatial reasoning. By evaluating these skills, it provides a comprehensive measure of a student's capacity for learning and problem-solving, rather than just their acquired knowledge.
CAT4 has how many batteries?
Answer: A. 4
The CAT4 assessment is structured into four distinct batteries, each measuring a different aspect of cognitive ability. These batteries are Verbal Reasoning, Non-Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, and Spatial Reasoning, providing a comprehensive profile of a student's cognitive strengths.
What is the maximum number of reports that CAT4 can generate?
Answer: D. 5
The CAT4 assessment can generate a maximum of five different types of reports. These typically include the Individual Student Report for Teachers, Group Report for Teachers, Group Report for Senior Leaders, Student Report for Parents, and a Progress Report (if follow-up assessments are conducted). Each report serves a distinct purpose for various stakeholders in a student's education.
The CAT4 is a school entrance exam used to assess students' abilities and potential for future achievement.
Answer: A. TRUE
Many schools, particularly independent and selective schools, use the CAT4 as part of their admissions process. It helps them assess a prospective student's underlying cognitive abilities and academic potential, providing insights beyond just curriculum-based knowledge, which can indicate future achievement and suitability for their educational environment.
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Many readers pair this guide with the gl assessment free practice papers cats to check their readiness before exam day.
Many readers pair this guide with the cat4 free sample test to check their readiness before exam day.
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