{"id":1093,"date":"2026-10-25T00:26:55","date_gmt":"2026-10-24T18:56:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/iqreasoningacademy.com\/blog\/?p=1093"},"modified":"2026-10-25T00:26:56","modified_gmt":"2026-10-24T18:56:56","slug":"year-7-cat4-test-explained","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/iqreasoningacademy.com\/blog\/year-7-cat4-test-explained\/","title":{"rendered":"Year 7 CAT4 Test Explained: Scores, What They Mean and How to Prepare"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Within a few weeks of starting secondary school, most children sit the Year 7 CAT4<\/strong> test. A report then comes home full of numbers such as SAS, stanines and percentiles, and many parents are left wondering what it all means. Does a low score mean their child is in the wrong set? Should they be preparing for it?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This guide explains what the Year 7 CAT4 test measures, how to read the results, what schools actually do with them, and how to help your child, whether they have already sat it or have it coming up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Disclosure: this article contains an affiliate link. If you buy through it, IQ and Reasoning Academy may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is the Year 7 CAT4 test?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

CAT4 stands for Cognitive Abilities Test, fourth edition<\/strong>. It is made by GL Assessment, the same company behind many grammar school 11+ papers. It is a reasoning test, not a curriculum test<\/strong>. In other words, it measures how well your child thinks and solves problems, not what they have been taught. That is why secondary schools like it: it gives every new pupil a fair starting point, whichever primary school they came from.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most schools run it in the first half of the autumn term of Year 7, usually on computers. Some schools test again in Year 9 or before GCSE options.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What does CAT4 test?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

CAT4 has four parts, called batteries. Each battery has two types of question, so there are eight question types in total:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Battery<\/th>What it measures<\/th>Question types<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
Verbal reasoning<\/td>Thinking with words<\/td>Verbal classification, verbal analogies<\/td><\/tr>
Quantitative reasoning<\/td>Thinking with numbers<\/td>Number analogies, number series<\/td><\/tr>
Non-verbal reasoning<\/td>Thinking with shapes and patterns<\/td>Figure classification, figure matrices<\/td><\/tr>
Spatial ability<\/td>Picturing and turning shapes in your head<\/td>Figure analysis, figure recognition<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Children usually take the test in three separate sessions. Each session has a few short mini-tests of about 8 to 10 minutes each. Every mini-test has a strict time limit, so children need to work quickly. On a computer, the test moves on automatically when time runs out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Year 7 CAT4 example questions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Below are 16 practice questions in the style of the real test<\/strong>: two for each of the eight question types. They are pitched at Year 7 level, so expect some to be challenging. Tap Show answers<\/strong> under each set to check.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Want more practice?<\/strong> Download our free printable booklet of 40 exam-style CAT4 questions<\/strong>, five for every question type, with an answer sheet and full explanations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Download the free 40-question CAT4 booklet (PDF)<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

1. Verbal classification<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The three words go together in some way. Which word from the brackets goes with them?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  1. timid, shy, bashful<\/strong> (bold \/ reserved \/ angry \/ proud \/ loud)<\/em><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. frugal, thrifty, economical<\/strong> (generous \/ sparing \/ wealthy \/ lavish \/ greedy)<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
    Show answers<\/strong><\/summary>\n
      \n
    1. reserved<\/strong>: all describe a quiet, nervous person<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    2. sparing<\/strong>: all mean careful with money<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n

      2. Verbal analogies<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

      The first two words are linked. Choose the word that completes the second pair in the same way.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

        \n
      1. author \u2192 novel<\/strong>  as  composer \u2192 ?<\/strong> (orchestra \/ symphony \/ piano \/ conductor \/ audience)<\/em><\/li>\n\n\n\n
      2. thermometer \u2192 temperature<\/strong>  as  barometer \u2192 ?<\/strong> (weather \/ pressure \/ wind \/ height \/ rain)<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
        Show answers<\/strong><\/summary>\n
          \n
        1. symphony<\/strong>: the work each person creates<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        2. pressure<\/strong>: what the instrument measures<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n

          3. Number analogies<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

          The same rule changes the first number into the second in every pair. Find the missing number.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

            \n
          1. [4 \u2192 17]   [6 \u2192 37]   [9 \u2192 ?] (72 \/ 80 \/ 82 \/ 85 \/ 90)<\/em><\/li>\n\n\n\n
          2. [12 \u2192 5]   [20 \u2192 9]   [36 \u2192 ?] (15 \/ 17 \/ 18 \/ 19 \/ 21)<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
            Show answers<\/strong><\/summary>\n
              \n
            1. 82<\/strong>: square the number, then add 1<\/li>\n\n\n\n
            2. 17<\/strong>: halve it, then subtract 1<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n

              4. Number series<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

              Which number comes next in the series?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

                \n
              1. 2, 9, 4, 11, 6, 13, ? (7 \/ 8 \/ 10 \/ 14 \/ 15)<\/em><\/li>\n\n\n\n
              2. 100, 94, 89, 85, 82, ? (78 \/ 79 \/ 80 \/ 81 \/ 83)<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
                Show answers<\/strong><\/summary>\n
                  \n
                1. 8<\/strong>: two series take turns (2, 4, 6, 8 and 9, 11, 13)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                2. 80<\/strong>: subtract 6, 5, 4, 3, then 2<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n

                  5. Figure classification<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

                  The three figures at the top share a rule, but the shapes, sizes and shading that change are only there to distract you. Which figure below follows the same rule?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

                  Question 1<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

                  \"Figure<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

                  Question 2<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

                  \"Figure<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
                  Show answers<\/strong><\/summary>\n
                    \n
                  1. C<\/strong>: the number of dots inside equals the number of sides<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                  2. D<\/strong>: the arrow points at the one shaded quarter<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n

                    6. Figure matrices<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

                    Work out the rules across each row and<\/strong> down each column, then find the figure that completes the grid.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

                    Question 1<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

                    \"CAT4<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

                    Question 2<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

                    \"CAT4<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
                    Show answers<\/strong><\/summary>\n
                      \n
                    1. C<\/strong>: every row and column has one circle, one square and one hexagon; one, two and three dots; and one white, one grey and one black shape<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                    2. E<\/strong>: the arrow turns 45\u00b0 clockwise along each row and 90\u00b0 clockwise down each column, and there is one more dot along each row and down each column<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n

                      7. Figure analysis (paper folding)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

                      A square of paper is folded along the dashed line(s) and holes are punched through all the layers. What does it look like unfolded? Watch which way the triangles point.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

                      Question 1<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

                      \"Paper<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

                      Question 2<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

                      \"Paper<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
                      Show answers<\/strong><\/summary>\n
                        \n
                      1. C<\/strong>: two folds make four layers, and each triangle flips when it is mirrored across a fold<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                      2. A<\/strong>: each hole is mirrored across the diagonal, so the triangle now points up<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n

                        8. Figure recognition (hidden shapes)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

                        Find the shape in the blue box hidden in one of the five figures. It must be exactly the same size and the same way round, not turned or flipped.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

                        Question 1<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

                        <\/figure>\n\n\n\n

                        Question 2<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

                        <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
                        Show answers<\/strong><\/summary>\n
                          \n
                        1. D<\/strong>. A is flipped, B is turned, C is wider and E has a different corner.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                        2. B<\/strong>. The others are turned, stretched or have one corner moved.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n

                          Ready for more?<\/strong> The free booklet has 24 more questions like these, ready to print.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                          \n
                          Download all 40 questions (PDF)<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

                          How to read your child’s CAT4 results<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

                          The report usually shows three kinds of score for each battery, plus an overall mean:<\/p>\n\n\n\n