CAT4 Level B: A Guide with Tips and Examples
Sep 05, 2024For children of school age, cognitive tests are a common assessment. They are designed to evaluate pupils’ mental performance in each year of their education.
The CAT (Cognitive Abilities Test) is a battery of tests that help test the ability and potential of children as they progress through the school grades. The CAT4 Level B is administered to students in the 4th grade.
Children in the 4th grade are in the early stages of their education, so the CAT4 Level B is an important tool to assess their progress so far. It can also predict how a pupil will perform in the next grades, allowing parents and educators to develop a personalized study plan.
In this article, you will learn more about the CAT4 Level B, what’s on it and how it’s scored. You will also get tips for success and answers to frequently asked questions.
What Is CAT4 Level B?
The CAT Level B is a popular test across the US and in the UK and Ireland.
Designed by GL Assessment, it helps parents and educators understand fourth graders’ reasoning skills and their academic potential.
One of the test’s key purposes is to identify areas where pupils need more support.
Children taking the CAT4 Level B are usually aged seven to eight. At this early elementary school stage, the test provides an insight into not only a student’s current capabilities but also their likely performance for the rest of their education.
Schools use this information to monitor progress and review their curriculum.
The test consists of four sections:
- Verbal Reasoning
- Non-Verbal Reasoning
- Qualitative Reasoning
- Spatial Ability
Each pupil’s score report provides teachers with an understanding of their strengths and weaknesses.
CAT4 Level B Test Components
There are four components on the CAT4 Level B test. Each section includes two short tests.
Verbal Reasoning
The first section contains questions on Verbal Classification and Verbal Analogy. These questions assess a student’s ability to use written information to solve problems.
For the Verbal Classification test, the pupil will be asked to identify which word matches the pattern provided. They will be required to solve what links the series of three words and select another similar word.
The Verbal Analogy section will present a set of three words. The first two words can be grouped together in some way. They may be similar or opposite in meaning.
There will be a selection of other words, one of which can be paired with a third word. Candidates will need to identify the correct word to receive a mark.
Non-Verbal Reasoning
This section uses geometric elements such as shapes to assess skills such as pattern recognition and logical thinking.
First is a test on Figure Classification, which includes several shapes that are similar in some way. Candidates will need to figure out how they are the same and then choose the answer that fits the pattern.
The second Non-Verbal section is Figure Matrices. These questions require test takers to identify which shape should come next in a sequence.
Quantitative Reasoning
Quantitative reasoning questions are used to assess numerical reasoning and problem-solving skills.
The first test in this section is Number Analogies. Candidates will need to deduce the link between sets of numbers. They will then need to use this information to choose another set of numbers to finish the sequence.
The next test, Number Series, will ask examinees to identify the rules used to arrange an order of numbers before choosing which number comes next.
Spatial Ability
The Spatial Ability section consists of Figure Analysis and Figure Recognition. The questions on this test provide an insight into students’ abilities to visualize and manipulate shapes and spaces.
On the Figure Analysis test, candidates will be presented with an image of a piece of paper that has been folded several times with a hole punched through it.
Pupils taking the test will need to deduce what the piece of paper would look like if it was unfolded. They must choose the correct answer out of five options to score correctly.
The final section on the CAT4 Level B test is Figure Recognition. You will be presented with five complex shapes.
On this test will be five complex shapes containing multiple smaller shapes. Candidates will be asked to identify which of the complex figures contains a certain shape.
CAT4 Level B: Example Questions and Practice
1. Verbal Reasoning
Example Question 1: Word Classification
Which word does not belong in the group?
a) Cat
b) Dog
c) Bird
d) Fish
The correct answer is: d) Fish
"Cat," "Dog," and "Bird" are all mammals, while "Fish" is not.
Example Question 2: Similar Words
Which word is most similar in meaning to “Small”?
a) Tiny
b) Big
c) Heavy
d) Round
The correct answer is: a) Tiny.
"Tiny" is the word most similar in meaning to "Small."
2. Non-Verbal Reasoning
Example Question 1: Pattern Completion
Which shape comes next in the sequence?
The correct answer is: c)
The sequence shows a different shape each time, with a small dot inside. Following this pattern, after a circle, square, and triangle, the next shape should logically be another basic shape with a dot.
Example Question 2: Odd One Out
Which shape is the odd one out?
a) Circle
b) Triangle
c) Rectangle
d) Star
The correct answer is: d) Star.
All shapes except the star are simple geometric shapes, while the star is more complex.
3. Quantitative Reasoning
Example Question 1: Simple Addition
What is 5 + 3?
a) 6
b) 7
c) 8
d) 9
The correct answer is: c) 8.
Adding 5 and 3 gives you 8.
Example Question 2: Number Sequence
What number comes next in this sequence:
1, 3, 5, 7, ______?
a) 8
b) 9
c) 10
d) 11
The correct answer is: b) 9.
The sequence increases by 2 each time. After 7, the next number should be 9.
4. Spatial Ability
Example Question 1: Shape Matching
Which of the following shapes most closely matches the shape on the left?
The correct answer is: a).
Both of these shapes are triangles.
Example Question 2: Position and Direction
Where is the ball in relation to the table?
a) Above
b) Next to
c) Under
d) In front of
The correct answer is: c) Under.
Tips for Success in CAT4 Level B
The key to passing the CAT4 Level B test is practicing using age-appropriate strategies. The following tips can help you prepare your child for success.
Know the Test Format
Guide your child through the four assessment sections ahead of the test to help them feel relaxed and confident in their abilities.
Take CAT4 Level B Practice Tests
Regularly taking CAT4 practice test level B exams is the best way to prepare. Being able to take the test in a neutral environment will benefit your child and help them show their true potential.
The example CAT4 Test Level B questions in this guide are age-appropriate and the perfect introduction to the test.
There’s also a TestHQ practice pack with solutions and explanations. You can also find free CAT4 Level B practice test materials online.
Focus on Areas for Improvement
The most important thing to do is review your child’s CAT4 Level B practice test scores and identify any areas where they are making mistakes. By working on these areas, you can prepare them for success in the real test.
Test-Taking Techniques
For children in the first grade, the CAT4 Level B can be daunting. It is important that as well as being prepared for the CAT4 Test Level B questions, they understand how to approach the test.
It is crucial that candidates listen to instructions from their teacher, as well as carefully reading the written guidance on the test.
You can help your child prepare for the test by highlighting the importance of staying focused and taking their time.
At the young age of seven to eight, children can become overwhelmed by intensive study. It is important to prepare but avoid burnout.
You can help your child practice by using games and fun activities that allow them to flex their cognitive thinking in a relaxed way.
As with the lead up to any test, ensuring your child is getting enough sleep is important. Research has shown that our brains work better after a full night of sleep, with seven to nine hours the optimum time.
How to Interpret CAT4 Level B Scores
Understanding the Score Report
Following your child’s CAT4 Level B assessment, you will receive their score report. In their report will be their student profile comparing their score to the fourth-grade average. There will also be a summary that outlines your child’s learning level, strengths, and areas for improvement.
Scores for the CAT4 Level B range from 10 to 160. The average score for fourth graders is 100. A score above 120 indicates a highly able student, while 130 is the benchmark to be considered gifted.
You can also use your child’s percentile rank to understand how they are performing compared to children in the same grade. For example, if they are placed in the 60th percentile, they scored higher than 60% of their peers.
Identifying Strengths and Weaknesses
Your child’s CAT4 Level B report is a helpful tool to highlight their strengths and weaknesses. It provides an insight into the areas where they are working well and where they need more support.
Knowing the topics that your child struggles with is valuable, as it enables you to work with them at home alongside their school learning. You can make studying fun with games and puzzles that test their cognitive capabilities.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CAT4 level B?
The CAT4 level B is a cognitive test used to assess the mental skills of pupils in the 4th grade.
What does Level B mean in CAT4?
The Level B test is taken by pupils in the fourth grade. The most commonly used levels are A to G, with each test taken at different school grades.
Is CAT4 Level B hard to pass?
The test can be difficult but it is entirely possible to pass with some preparation. The best way to prepare is with practice assessments.
Where can I prepare for CAT4 Level B?
You can use this Test HQ study guide, or the TestHQ practice test pack, to prepare for the test. You can also find free CAT4 Level B practice test materials online.
How many questions are on CAT4 Level B?
There are a total of 168 questions on the CAT4 Level test.
Is the CAT4 Level B test timed?
The test is timed. You will usually need to complete the test within two to three hours.
Can you retake the CAT4 Level B test?
Retaking the CAT4 Level B test is not recommended, as the test is designed to evaluate cognitive skills using questions not yet seen by the candidate. Whether a pupil can retake the test is decided by the school.
Where can I get sample questions for the CAT4 Level B test?
You can find sample questions for the test in this study guide or in the TestHQ practice test pack.
How to pass the CAT4 Level B test?
You can pass the CAT4 Level B test by practicing with example questions.
What is a good score for the CAT4 Level B test?
A good score is 100. A score of 120 indicates high ability, and 130 would place your child in the gifted and talented category.
Where can I get a complete study guide for the CAT4 Level B test?
You can find a complete study guide for the CAT4 Level test on TestHQ.
Final Thoughts
Understanding how the CAT4 Level B test works is crucial for you to support your fourth grader.
Your support will be invaluable to them as they prepare for the test. By practicing with them, you can identify any weak areas and work on these ahead of the test.
You can also use this guide to understand the CAT4 Level B score report, which will provide you with an insight into how your child is performing compared to their fourth-grade peers.
