CAT4 (Cognitive Abilities Test) — Questions and Answers

Question 1: Each figure shows the same shape repeated three times in a row. The correct answer must show how many repeats?

Four
One
Two
Three (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Three

The shared rule repeats the shape exactly three times.

Question 2: What number comes next? 45, 40, 35, 30, ?

25 (Correct answer)
20
22
28

Correct answer: 25

Each term decreases by 5, so 30 - 5 = 25.

Question 3: In a Figure Analysis scenario, a square paper is folded in half vertically. Then, a semi-circular hole is punched along the folded edge. What shape is the hole when the paper is unfolded?

A full circle. (Correct answer)
Two semi-circles on opposite sides of the paper.
A semi-circle.
An oval.

Correct answer: A full circle.

The straight edge of the semi-circle is placed along the fold. When the paper is unfolded, this semi-circle is mirrored on the other side of the fold line. A semi-circle mirrored against its straight edge forms a complete circle.

Question 4: As shown, there are six dice with the top faces erased. The number of dots on the other side adds up to 7. If dice with even numbers have an odd number of dots on their top faces and dice with odd numbers have an even number of dots on their bottom faces, how many dots are on the dice's top faces in total?

12
18
14
16 (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 16

Explanation: The top faces of dice (II), (IV), and (VI) have 1, 1, and 1 dots, respectively. The top sides of dice I, III, and V have 5, 5, and 3 dots, respectively. Total needed is 5 + 5 + 3 + 1 + 1 + 1 = 16

Question 5: Each figure in a set has a small dot located inside the shape, never on the border. The odd-rule answer must show the dot where?

Inside the shape (Correct answer)
Outside the shape
On the border
Replacing the shape

Correct answer: Inside the shape

The shared rule places the dot strictly inside the figure.

Question 6: Which word does NOT belong: Red, Blue, Green, Square?

Green
Blue
Red
Square (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Square

Square is a shape, while the others are colours.

Question 7: Which word does NOT belong with the others?

Photosynthesis
Multiplication (Correct answer)
Respiration
Digestion

Correct answer: Multiplication

Multiplication is a mathematical operation, while Photosynthesis, Respiration, and Digestion are biological processes.

Question 8: Three figures each contain a shape with more curved edges than straight edges. Which figure fits?

A pentagon
A square
A figure with two curves and one straight edge (Correct answer)
A triangle

Correct answer: A figure with two curves and one straight edge

More curved than straight edges matches the figure with two curves and one straight edge.

Question 9: The sequence of images shows a square piece of paper being folded, and then one or more holes are punched through it. Identify what the paper will look like when it is fully unfolded.

A square with two holes in the top left quadrant.
A square with one hole in the top left quadrant and one hole in the bottom right quadrant.
A square with four holes, one in the center of each quadrant. (Correct answer)
A square with two holes lined up vertically in the center.

Correct answer: A square with four holes, one in the center of each quadrant.

The paper is first folded in half vertically, then folded in half again horizontally. This creates four layers. A single hole is punched through the center of this smaller, folded square. When unfolded, this single hole will be replicated in each of the four quadrants due to the folds. Therefore, the unfolded paper will have four holes, one in the center of each quadrant.

Question 10: Which word does NOT belong with the others?

Eagle
Dolphin (Correct answer)
Robin
Sparrow

Correct answer: Dolphin

A Dolphin is a marine mammal, while Eagle, Sparrow, and Robin are birds.

Question 11: In a 2×2 matrix, the top row shows a star with 4 points → star with 8 points. The bottom row shows a star with 3 points → which shape completes the matrix?

Star with 4 points
Star with 5 points
Star with 9 points
Star with 6 points (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Star with 6 points

The pattern doubles the number of points on the star, and 3 × 2 = 6 points.

Question 12: Which word does NOT belong with the others?

Verb
Adjective
Equation (Correct answer)
Noun

Correct answer: Equation

Equation is a mathematical expression, while Noun, Verb, and Adjective are parts of speech.

Question 13: [1 → 1] [2 → 4] [5 → ?]

25 (Correct answer)
15
20
10

Correct answer: 25

Each number is squared, so 5 × 5 = 25.

Question 14: Three figures are made of straight lines and one is made of curved lines. The odd figure differs by:

Position
Line type (curved vs straight) (Correct answer)
Shading
Size

Correct answer: Line type (curved vs straight)

The shared feature is straight lines, so the curved figure is the exception.

Question 15: Who created the Cognitive Abilities Exam (CAT4)?

Helen Hartwig
University College, London
National Center for Education Statistics
Helen J. Fothergill (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Helen J. Fothergill

The Cognitive Abilities Test (CAT4) was developed by GL Assessment, with significant contributions from educational psychologists and researchers. Helen J. Fothergill is credited as one of the key authors and developers involved in the creation and refinement of the CAT4 assessment.

Question 16: Which word does NOT belong with the others?

Screwdriver
Wrench
Pencil (Correct answer)
Hammer

Correct answer: Pencil

A Pencil is a writing tool, while Hammer, Screwdriver, and Wrench are construction or repair tools.

Question 17: [14 → 7] [22 → 11] [18 → ?]

9 (Correct answer)
10
8
11

Correct answer: 9

Each number is halved, so 18 ÷ 2 = 9.

Question 18: In a series, shapes lose one side each step: octagon, heptagon, hexagon. What comes next?

Square
Triangle
Octagon
Pentagon (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Pentagon

Reducing by one side from a hexagon gives a five-sided pentagon.

Question 19: Complete the analogy: 10 is to 5 as 24 is to ?

14
12 (Correct answer)
10
11

Correct answer: 12

Each number is halved, so 24 / 2 = 12.

Question 20: In a 2×2 matrix, the top row shows 3 small circles arranged horizontally → 3 small circles arranged vertically. The bottom row shows 3 small triangles arranged horizontally → which completes the matrix?

3 triangles arranged diagonally
3 triangles arranged vertically (Correct answer)
3 circles arranged vertically
2 triangles arranged horizontally

Correct answer: 3 triangles arranged vertically

The pattern rotates the arrangement from horizontal to vertical while keeping the same shapes and count.

Question 21: In a 3x3 matrix, each column adds one dot top to bottom. If the top cell has 2 dots, the bottom cell of that column has:

6 dots
2 dots
4 dots (Correct answer)
3 dots

Correct answer: 4 dots

Adding one dot per row across three cells gives 2, 3, then 4 dots.

Question 22: Which number logically completes the following series? 3, 7, 16, 32, 57, ?

78
99
93 (Correct answer)
81

Correct answer: 93

The pattern is based on adding the square of consecutive integers. Start by finding the difference between consecutive numbers: 7-3=4 (which is 2^2), 16-7=9 (which is 3^2), 32-16=16 (which is 4^2), 57-32=25 (which is 5^2). The next number in the pattern is 6^2, which is 36. Add 36 to the last number in the series: 57 + 36 = 93.

Question 23: What number comes next? 1, 3, 6, 10, 15, ?

22
21 (Correct answer)
20
18

Correct answer: 21

These are triangular numbers; adding 6 gives 15 + 6 = 21.

Question 24: What number comes next? 6, 12, 24, 48, ?

96 (Correct answer)
60
72
84

Correct answer: 96

Each term doubles, so 48 x 2 = 96.

Question 25: [9 → 3] [21 → 7] [27 → ?]

7
9 (Correct answer)
6
8

Correct answer: 9

Each number is divided by 3, so 27 ÷ 3 = 9.

Question 26: Snow is to winter as rain is to ___?

Spring (Correct answer)
Umbrella
Wet
Cloud

Correct answer: Spring

Snow is common in winter, and rain is common in spring.

Question 27: What exactly is the PASS exam?

To identify learning needs
To identify learning bias
Base line
To identify fragile learners (Correct answer)

Correct answer: To identify fragile learners

The Pupil Attitudes to Self and School (PASS) survey is designed to identify students who may be disengaged, anxious, or have low self-esteem, which can hinder their learning. By assessing attitudes towards learning and school, PASS helps educators identify 'fragile learners' who might need additional support to thrive academically.

Question 28: Three figures each combine a large shape with a smaller identical shape inside it. The answer must contain what?

Two inner shapes
A small copy of the same shape inside (Correct answer)
No inner shape
A different shape inside

Correct answer: A small copy of the same shape inside

The common rule nests a smaller copy of the same outer shape inside.

Question 29: Which word can follow 'rain' to make a new word?

tree
bow (Correct answer)
fish
car

Correct answer: bow

'Rain' plus 'bow' makes the word 'rainbow'.

Question 30: In figure classification, you must pick the shape that does NOT belong. Three shapes have a line of symmetry and one does not. The correct answer is the shape that:

Has the most sides
Is the smallest
Is shaded
Lacks a line of symmetry (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Lacks a line of symmetry

The grouping rule is symmetry, so the asymmetrical shape is the odd one out.

Question 31: What number comes next? 100, 90, 80, 70, ?

60 (Correct answer)
50
65
55

Correct answer: 60

Each term decreases by 10, so 70 - 10 = 60.

Question 32: If a train travels 60 miles in 1 hour, how far in 3.5 hours at the same speed?

180
210 (Correct answer)
220
200

Correct answer: 210

60 x 3.5 = 210 miles.

Question 33: Three figures are all four-sided shapes with one pair of parallel sides. Which figure belongs with them?

A triangle
A circle
A trapezoid (Correct answer)
A pentagon

Correct answer: A trapezoid

A trapezoid is a quadrilateral with exactly one pair of parallel sides, matching the group rule.

Question 34: What is CAT4 used for? Pick 3.

Identifying academic potential (Correct answer)
Measuring progress (Correct answer)
Target Setting (Correct answer)
Understanding how a student thinks

Correct answer: Identifying academic potential

The CAT4 is a versatile assessment used for several key educational purposes. It helps in identifying a student's academic potential by assessing their cognitive abilities, measuring progress over time when administered repeatedly, and informing target setting for both individual students and groups. These applications provide valuable insights for educational planning and support.

Question 35: Which of the following best completes the analogy? Architect is to Blueprint as Composer is to ___.

Music
Score (Correct answer)
Symphony
Orchestra

Correct answer: Score

The relationship is between a creator and the plan or notation they create. An architect creates a blueprint to guide construction. A composer creates a musical score to guide a performance.

Question 36: A recipe for 2 people uses 6 eggs. How many eggs for 5 people?

18
12
10
15 (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 15

Each person needs 3 eggs, so 5 x 3 = 15.

Question 37: A student finds a target triangle within one of the answer designs. To confirm the identification, the student should verify that:

The triangle occupies more than half of the answer design's area
The design contains exactly three shapes in total
All three vertices of the triangle are present and its sides are traceable within the design (Correct answer)
The triangle appears in the lower-left portion of every answer option

Correct answer: All three vertices of the triangle are present and its sides are traceable within the design

Verifying that all vertices and sides of the target triangle are traceable within the design confirms its presence accurately.

Question 38: Which word does NOT belong with the others?

Algebra
Arithmetic
Biology (Correct answer)
Geometry

Correct answer: Biology

Biology is a life science, while Arithmetic, Algebra, and Geometry are branches of mathematics.

Question 39: A warehouse manager is tracking inventory. The number of boxes follows a specific pattern each day: 5, 8, 14, 26, 50. If the pattern continues, how many boxes will there be on the next day?

98 (Correct answer)
86
102
74

Correct answer: 98

The pattern is to double the previous number and then subtract an increasing amount. Let's analyze the steps: 8 = (5*2) - 2 14 = (8*2) - 2 26 = (14*2) - 2 50 = (26*2) - 2 Therefore, the next number is (50*2) - 2 = 100 - 2 = 98. An alternative way to see the pattern is that the difference between numbers doubles each time: 8-5=3, 14-8=6, 26-14=12, 50-26=24. The next difference will be 48, so 50+48=98.

Question 40: In the pattern, which number should come next? 37, 34, 31, 28

25 (Correct answer)
30
26
28

Correct answer: 25

This is a simple arithmetic sequence where each subsequent number is found by subtracting 3 from the previous number. Following this pattern, 37 - 3 = 34, 34 - 3 = 31, and 31 - 3 = 28. Therefore, the next number in the sequence is 28 - 3, which equals 25.

Question 41: Three figures rotate a single arrow 90° clockwise each step. Which classification rule do they share?

All show arrows in 90° increments (Correct answer)
All show no arrows
All show two arrows
All show vertical arrows

Correct answer: All show arrows in 90° increments

The figures share a consistent 90° rotational increment of the arrow.

Question 42: Three figures all have an even number of sides. Which figure shares this classification?

A pentagon
A hexagon (Correct answer)
A heptagon
A triangle

Correct answer: A hexagon

A hexagon has six sides, an even number, matching the group.

Question 43: If 135146 is the SEASON code. What is the NOSE code?

4167
6413 (Correct answer)
5614
6341

Correct answer: 6413

Correct Answer: 6413

Question 44: Glove is to Hand as Sock is to ____?

Foot (Correct answer)
Arm
Leg
Head

Correct answer: Foot

A glove covers a hand just as a sock covers a foot.

Question 45: [49 → 7] [81 → 9] [36 → ?]

18
6 (Correct answer)
4
9

Correct answer: 6

The relationship in each pair is that the second number is the square root of the first number (√n). The square root of 49 is 7, and the square root of 81 is 9. Therefore, the square root of 36 is 6.

Question 46: Chapter is to Book as Room is to ___.

House (Correct answer)
Door
Floor
Key

Correct answer: House

This is a part-to-whole relationship. A chapter is a part of a whole book. In the same way, a room is a part of a whole house.

Question 47: The images show a piece of paper being folded. The first fold is horizontal across the middle. The second fold is vertical across the middle. A straight cut is then made, removing the corner where all the free edges meet. What will the unfolded paper look like?

A large square with a smaller square hole in the center. (Correct answer)
A large square with the top right corner cut off.
A large square with all four corners rounded.
A shape resembling a plus sign or a cross.

Correct answer: A large square with a smaller square hole in the center.

Folding the paper horizontally and then vertically concentrates the center of the original paper at one corner of the folded square. The cut removes the opposite corner, which contains the four original corners of the paper. When unfolded, the cut will be mirrored across the fold lines, creating a symmetrical square hole in the very center of the paper.

Question 48: A class has 30 students and 60% are girls. How many girls are there?

15
12
18 (Correct answer)
20

Correct answer: 18

60% of 30 is 0.6 x 30 = 18.

Question 49: [20 → 10] [16 → 8] [14 → ?]

6
9
7 (Correct answer)
8

Correct answer: 7

Each number is halved, so 14 ÷ 2 = 7.

Question 50: Begin is to start as end is to ___?

Stop
Finish (Correct answer)
Open
Middle

Correct answer: Finish

Begin and start are synonyms, just as end and finish mean the same thing.

Question 51: The three figures on the left are alike in some way. Which figure from the answer choices is most like the first three? [Image shows three figures on the left: 1. A pentagon with a smaller pentagon inside. 2. A circle with a smaller circle inside. 3. A hexagon with a smaller hexagon inside. The four answer choices are different figures.]

A square divided into four smaller squares.
A large triangle.
A square with a circle inside.
A triangle with a smaller triangle inside. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: A triangle with a smaller triangle inside.

The correct answer is B. This is a Figure Classification question. The rule governing the first three figures is that each contains a smaller, concentric version of the outer shape. Answer B, a triangle with a smaller triangle inside, follows this same rule. The other options do not: A has a different inner shape, C is a single shape, and D shows a shape being divided, not containing a smaller version of itself.

Question 52: What number comes next? 3, 6, 12, 24, ?

36
42
48 (Correct answer)
30

Correct answer: 48

Each term doubles, so 24 x 2 = 48.

Question 53: Figure Recognition is most similar in skill to which real-world task?

Reading a complex passage for main ideas
Solving a long division problem
Locating a specific street on a detailed map (Correct answer)
Memorizing a list of vocabulary words

Correct answer: Locating a specific street on a detailed map

Like Figure Recognition, map reading requires identifying specific shapes or configurations within a complex visual environment.

Question 54: [24 → 6] [16 → 4] [12 → ?]

4
3 (Correct answer)
6
2

Correct answer: 3

Each number is divided by 4, so 12 ÷ 4 = 3.

Question 55: Which of the following pairs follows the same quantitative analogy as [8 → 4] and [20 → 10]?

[15 → 5]
[14 → 7] (Correct answer)
[12 → 8]
[10 → 12]

Correct answer: [14 → 7]

The rule for the given pairs is to divide the first number by 2 to get the second number (n / 2). 8 / 2 = 4 and 20 / 2 = 10. The pair [14 → 7] follows the same rule because 14 / 2 = 7.

Question 56: Which of the following indicates that P is Q's maternal uncle if A + B denotes that A is the mother of B, A - B denotes that A is the brother of B, A% B denotes that A is the father of B, and A x B denotes that A is the sister of B?

Q - N + M x P
Q - S % P
P + S x N - Q
P - M + N x Q (Correct answer)

Correct answer: P - M + N x Q

Explanation: P - M → P is the brother of M M + N → M is the mother of N N x Q → N is the sister of Q Therefore, P is the maternal uncle of Q.

Question 57: If a square has a perimeter of 24, what is the length of one side?

4
6 (Correct answer)
12
8

Correct answer: 6

A square has 4 equal sides, so 24 / 4 = 6.

Question 58: What number comes next? 2, 5, 11, 23, ?

44
47 (Correct answer)
46
45

Correct answer: 47

Each term doubles and adds 1, so 23 x 2 + 1 = 47.

Question 59: What is the missing number: 64, 32, 16, 8, ?

6
4 (Correct answer)
3
2

Correct answer: 4

Each term is halved, so 8 / 2 = 4.

Question 60: [12 → 144] [10 → 100] [11 → ?]

131
144
121 (Correct answer)
110

Correct answer: 121

Each number is squared, so 11 × 11 = 121.

Question 61: [100 → 10] [49 → 7] [81 → ?]

9 (Correct answer)
10
11
8

Correct answer: 9

Each number becomes its square root, so √81 = 9.

Question 62: [3 → 9] [5 → 25] [7 → ?]

49 (Correct answer)
35
63
42

Correct answer: 49

Each number is squared, so 7 × 7 = 49.

Question 63: Complete the analogy: Day is to Night as Summer is to ____?

Season
Spring
Winter (Correct answer)
Autumn

Correct answer: Winter

Day and night are opposites, so the opposite season of summer is winter.

Question 64: If a figure problem seems to have two correct answers, the most likely cause is:

You missed a subtle distinguishing detail (Correct answer)
Shading is irrelevant
The test is flawed
Both are truly correct

Correct answer: You missed a subtle distinguishing detail

Re-examining usually reveals a small detail that separates the true answer.

Question 65: A figure analogy: an upright arrow is to a downward arrow as an upright triangle is to ___?

A circle
An inverted triangle (Correct answer)
A square
An upright triangle

Correct answer: An inverted triangle

The rule flips the figure upside down, inverting the triangle.

Question 66: Complete the analogy: 6 is to 36 as 9 is to ?

72
81 (Correct answer)
63
90

Correct answer: 81

Each number is squared, so 9 x 9 = 81.

Question 67: In a 2×2 matrix, the top row shows a square with a dot in the top-left corner → square with a dot in the top-right corner. The bottom row shows a square with a dot in the bottom-left corner → which completes the matrix?

Square with a dot in the bottom-left corner
Square with a dot in the top-left corner
Square with a dot in the center
Square with a dot in the bottom-right corner (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Square with a dot in the bottom-right corner

The pattern moves the dot from the left side to the right side, maintaining the same vertical position.

Question 68: An object is reflected across a vertical line (mirrored). An 'L' shape mirrored vertically becomes:

Unchanged L
An upside-down L
A T shape
A backward L (Correct answer)

Correct answer: A backward L

A vertical mirror flips the L horizontally, producing a backward L.

Question 69: In a 2×2 matrix, the top row shows a triangle with 1 dot → triangle with 2 dots. The bottom row shows a circle with 1 dot → which shape completes the matrix?

Circle with 2 dots (Correct answer)
Circle with 3 dots
Triangle with 2 dots
Square with 2 dots

Correct answer: Circle with 2 dots

The pattern adds one dot to the shape from left to right, so the missing figure is a circle with 2 dots.

Question 70: A group of figures each contains 3 shaded sections out of 6 equal parts. What rule links them?

Each figure is fully shaded
Each figure is exactly half shaded (Correct answer)
Each figure has one shaded part
Each figure is unshaded

Correct answer: Each figure is exactly half shaded

Three of six equal parts shaded means each figure is exactly one-half shaded.

Question 71: In a 2×2 matrix, the top row shows a pentagon → a shape with one fewer side (quadrilateral). The bottom row shows a hexagon → which completes the matrix?

Heptagon
Triangle
Hexagon
Pentagon (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Pentagon

The pattern removes one side from the shape, reducing a pentagon to a quadrilateral and a hexagon to a pentagon.

Question 72: Hot is to Cold as Up is to ____?

Over
Top
High
Down (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Down

Hot and cold are opposites, so the opposite of up is down.

Question 73: Glove is to hand as sock is to ___?

Leg
Shoe
Foot (Correct answer)
Wool

Correct answer: Foot

A glove covers a hand, and a sock covers a foot.

Question 74: A square piece of paper is folded three times. First, it is folded in half horizontally. Second, it is folded in half vertically. Third, it is folded diagonally. A small hole is punched through all layers near the center of the final triangle's longest side. How many holes will there be when the paper is fully unfolded?

16 holes
8 holes (Correct answer)
6 holes
4 holes

Correct answer: 8 holes

The first horizontal fold creates 2 layers. The second vertical fold creates 4 layers. The third diagonal fold creates 8 layers. Since the hole is punched through all layers of the final folded shape, there will be 8 holes when the paper is fully unfolded.

Question 75: Three figures contain an even number of dots and one contains an odd number. The classification is based on:

Whether the dot count is even or odd (Correct answer)
Figure shape
Dot color
Dot size

Correct answer: Whether the dot count is even or odd

The grouping rule is parity, so the odd-count figure does not belong.

Question 76: Which word is most opposite in meaning to 'expand'?

Stretch
Grow
Shrink (Correct answer)
Widen

Correct answer: Shrink

Shrink means to get smaller, the opposite of expand.

Question 77: [10 → 7] [8 → 5] [6 → ?]

4
2
3 (Correct answer)
5

Correct answer: 3

Each number decreases by 3, so 6 − 3 = 3.

Question 78: In a 2×2 matrix, the top row shows a horizontal rectangle → vertical rectangle. The bottom row shows a horizontal oval → which shape completes the matrix?

Vertical rectangle
Horizontal oval
Vertical oval (Correct answer)
Horizontal rectangle

Correct answer: Vertical oval

The pattern rotates the shape 90 degrees from horizontal to vertical orientation.

Question 79: In a 2×2 matrix, the top row shows a white triangle → black triangle. The bottom row shows a white pentagon → which shape completes the matrix?

Black pentagon (Correct answer)
White pentagon
White triangle
Black circle

Correct answer: Black pentagon

The pattern changes the shape from unfilled (white) to filled (black), so the missing figure is a black pentagon.

Question 80: A complex geometric shape is presented. Which of the four smaller shapes below is hidden within the complex shape, maintaining the same size and orientation? [Image of a complex figure made of overlapping lines and shapes. The four answer choices are smaller, simpler geometric figures.]

A regular pentagon.
A shape resembling the letter 'F'. (Correct answer)
A perfect square.
A small equilateral triangle.

Correct answer: A shape resembling the letter 'F'.

The correct answer is C. This question assesses Figure Recognition. By carefully scanning the complex image, you can trace the exact outline of the shape resembling the letter 'F'. The other shapes (triangle, square, pentagon) are not present in their exact form, size, and orientation within the larger figure, although some of their component lines may be.

CAT4 (Cognitive Abilities Test)

The CAT4 (Cognitive Abilities Test) exam validates essential knowledge and skills required for certification or licensure in this field.

Questions

40 min

Time Limit

70%

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