CAT4 Practice Test 2026: Sample Questions for Every Battery
The CAT4 is the most widely used admissions test at Dubai's British-curriculum secondary schools. Most Year 7 applicants at JESS, Kings' School, Brighton College, Dubai British School Emirates Hills and Jumeirah College sit some form of the CAT4 as part of their application. Yet many families arrive at assessment day without their child having seen a single example question.
This guide provides example question types for each battery so children know what to expect — not to pre-teach answers, but to remove the surprise factor on test day. For a full explanation of how the CAT4 works, see our CAT4 overview guide.
Quick CAT4 Overview
| Battery | What It Tests | Question Types |
|---|---|---|
| Verbal Reasoning | Language-based logic and vocabulary | Verbal analogies, odd one out, sentence completion |
| Quantitative Reasoning | Numerical relationships and patterns | Number sequences, analogies with numbers, word problems |
| Non-Verbal Reasoning | Figure-based logic and pattern recognition | Figure classification, matrices, series completion |
| Spatial Ability | 2D and 3D shape manipulation | Figure rotation, shape folding, 3D construction |
The CAT4 is administered at Level D for most Year 6–7 applicants. It is computer-based at most Dubai schools. Each battery is strictly timed — students are not expected to complete every question.
Battery 1: Verbal Reasoning — Sample Question Types
Verbal reasoning tests the ability to think logically about language — not vocabulary per se, but the ability to spot relationships, analogies and patterns in words.
Type 1: Verbal Analogies
The question presents a word pair and asks you to complete a parallel pair.
Example: Hot is to Cold as Day is to ___
Options: A) Sun B) Night C) Bright D) Time
Answer: B — Night (opposite relationship)
Example: Architect is to Building as Composer is to ___
Options: A) Music B) Concert C) Piano D) Conductor
Answer: A — Music (creator to creation)
Type 2: Odd One Out
Three or four words share a category; one does not belong.
Example: Which word is the odd one out?
Robin Sparrow Salmon Eagle
Answer: Salmon — the only one that is not a bird
Example: Oak Pine Birch Rose
Answer: Rose — the only one that is not a tree
Type 3: Sentence Completion
A sentence with a missing word; choose the word that makes the most logical sense.
Example: The detective studied the clues ___ before reaching a conclusion.
Options: A) rapidly B) carelessly C) methodically D) secretly
Answer: C — methodically (studying clues = systematic/careful approach)
Battery 2: Quantitative Reasoning — Sample Question Types
Quantitative reasoning tests the ability to spot numerical relationships and patterns. This is not arithmetic — it requires logical thinking about numbers, not calculation speed.
Type 1: Number Sequences
Example: What comes next? 2, 5, 10, 17, 26, ___
Answer: 37 (differences: +3, +5, +7, +9, +11 — odd numbers increasing)
Example: 2, 6, 18, 54, ___
Answer: 162 (multiply by 3 each time)
Type 2: Quantitative Analogies
Example: 6 is to 36 as 5 is to ___
Answer: 25 (each number is squared)
Example: 4 is to 12 as 7 is to ___
Answer: 21 (multiply by 3)
Type 3: Number Logic
Example: If all Blorts are Fings, and some Fings are Zups, which must be true?
A) All Blorts are Zups B) Some Blorts are Zups C) No Blorts are Zups D) Cannot tell
Answer: D — Cannot tell (we know Blorts are Fings, but only some Fings are Zups — we cannot determine if any Blorts are in that subset)
Battery 3: Non-Verbal Reasoning — Sample Question Types
Non-verbal reasoning uses shapes and figures rather than words or numbers. It tests visual logic — the ability to spot patterns, categories and relationships in abstract diagrams.
Type 1: Figure Classification
Three figures share a common property; choose a fourth that belongs in the same group.
Example: Three shapes are shown: a square with a dot inside, a triangle with a dot inside, and a circle with a dot inside. Which of the following belongs in the group?
Options: A) A hexagon with a cross inside B) A pentagon with a dot inside C) A square with a line through it D) An empty circle
Answer: B — A pentagon with a dot inside (all group members have a dot inside any closed shape)
Type 2: Matrices
A 2×2 or 3×3 grid of figures with one cell missing; choose the figure that completes the pattern.
Example concept: Row 1: [Large dark square] [Large light circle] [Large dark triangle]
Row 2: [Small dark square] [Small light circle] [Small dark triangle]
Row 3: [Large light square] [Large dark circle] [?]
Answer: Large light triangle (size and shading follow the pattern of rows 1 and 2)
Battery 4: Spatial Ability — Sample Question Types
Spatial ability tests the ability to mentally manipulate 2D and 3D shapes. This is the battery where children with strong visual-spatial intelligence (common in those who enjoy building, drawing or coding) often excel regardless of academic results.
Type 1: Figure Rotation
A shape is shown at one orientation; choose which answer option shows the same shape rotated (not reflected).
Tip: The key distinction is between a rotation (the shape is turned) and a reflection (the shape is mirrored). A rotated shape and its mirror image are different. Children often confuse these under time pressure. Practice distinguishing rotation from reflection before test day.
Type 2: Shape Folding
A 2D net (unfolded shape) is shown; choose which 3D shape it would make when folded.
Tip: Work through common 3D shapes — cube nets, cuboid nets, pyramid nets — with your child using paper before test day. Physically folding paper nets is the most effective preparation for this question type.
What CAT4 Scores Do Dubai Schools Expect?
| School | Typical CAT4 SAS Expected | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Jumeirah College Dubai | 115–125+ | Most selective; entrance exam also required |
| JESS Dubai | 110–120+ | CAT4 + school assessment |
| Kings' School Dubai | 108–118+ | CAT4 + English/Maths test |
| Brighton College Dubai | 108–118+ | CAT4 + interview |
| Dubai British School Emirates Hills | 105–115+ | CAT4 + school assessment |
| Safa Community School | 100–112+ | Less selective; whole-child approach |
SAS = Standard Age Score. Mean 100, SD 15. Scores above indicate approximate ranges seen in successful applicants — they are not published cutoffs. Schools assess the full application, not CAT4 alone.
How to Prepare Effectively
The goal of CAT4 preparation is familiarisation, not cramming. The test measures reasoning potential — drilling answers does not increase underlying ability, but practice reduces the novelty effect that depresses scores in children who have never seen these question types.
Evidence-based preparation:
- Start early: 8–12 weeks of 2–3 sessions per week is more effective than intensive drilling in the final two weeks
- Use official or high-quality practice materials: GL Assessment (the CAT4 publisher) sells practice materials; Bond 11+ Non-Verbal and Verbal Reasoning books closely mirror the format
- Spatial ability: Physical manipulation (paper folding, origami, 3D puzzles, Lego architecture) is the best preparation for spatial battery questions
- Verbal reasoning: Regular independent reading in English is the most sustained way to build vocabulary and verbal logic over time
- Simulate test conditions: Timed practice under exam conditions (quiet space, no interruptions, strict time limit) is essential before test day
- Manage anxiety: The CAT4 is designed so most children do not finish. Tell your child: skipping a hard question and moving on is the right strategy
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you prepare for the CAT4 test?
Yes — through familiarisation with the format, not cramming. The CAT4 measures reasoning potential, so drilling answers is not effective. What works: practising the question types, completing timed mock tests, and reducing test anxiety through familiarity with the format.
What CAT4 score do Dubai schools need for Year 7?
KHDA Outstanding schools typically look for SAS 108–120+ depending on selectivity. Jumeirah College is most selective (115–125+); Safa Community School is least selective (100–112+). Schools assess the full application, not the CAT4 score alone.
How long is the CAT4 test?
The full CAT4 (Level D) takes approximately 50–70 minutes including instructions. Each battery is strictly timed. Children are not expected to complete every question — this is by design.
What are the 4 CAT4 batteries?
Verbal Reasoning (language-based logic), Quantitative Reasoning (number patterns and relationships), Non-Verbal Reasoning (figure patterns and matrices), and Spatial Ability (2D/3D shape manipulation).
How is the CAT4 scored?
Results are reported as Standard Age Scores (SAS): mean 100, standard deviation 15. SAS 115+ is well above average. Scores are age-standardised against a large reference population of same-age children.
