CAT 4 Test Practice for Year 7 Level D: A Definitive Guidance Guide with Sample Tests
Last Updated on April 22, 2022
A test designed for children between the ages of 10-12, CAT 4 Level D is taken by children in year 7. A Cognitive Abilities Test can be used as an entrance test for schools.
It is a means of assessing the progress being made by a child in school or as a means of evaluating the child’s strengths and weaknesses.
This test can be nerve-wracking as it is different to traditional tests. But don’t worry, there are plenty of ways to prepare to ensure the best mark possible.
What does the test consist of?
A multiple-choice test the CAT 4 is a two-hour test examining the child’s:
- Verbal Reasoning
- Quantitative reasoning
- Non -Verbal reasoning
- Spatial Ability
Each of those skills is assessed in what is known as a battery of tests with each battery having two brief tests.
For example, the Verbal Reasoning battery assesses Verbal Classification and Verbal Analogies.
In the Quantitative Reasoning battery, the student can expect to be tested on Number Analogies and Number Classification.
Non-Verbal Reasoning tests Figure Matrices and Figure Classification. It focuses on the shield’s ability to recognise shapes and outlines.
Spatial Ability asks the child to show their skills in Figure Analysis and Figure Recognition. It tests their 3-D perception.
To get a clearer idea on the style of questioning this free sample test from testprep-online.com shows the questions asked in the different sections. If you like what you see in the sample test you can get a test pack with further sample tests.
Preparing for the test
This can all seem very daunting for a child of 10-12 years and for the adult who is helping them get to grips with the test. Test preparation involves getting to know the test and having sample papers to practice on.
The adult is usually the person who has to find this material and a test prep pack from a well-known test company is recommended as the most important tool a child and adult can use for test preparation.
Coming with details of the test and sample test papers the adult has the information to hand that will enable them to guide the child through the test preparation period.
Getting organised
With the test prep materials to hand, it is time to put a plan in place for the preparation. Taking the following steps should make the process more effective:
- The child needs to become familiar with the structure of the test and the types of questions asked. When the student knows precisely what to expect from the test they will find the experience less daunting.
- Decide on the specific times that will be devoted to test preparation. The child has other school work to deal with as well. An organised approach to getting everything done will allow the child to feel they are in control of the situation.
- Build in break times during the test preparation. The child will learn faster and retain material more easily when they have regular breaks. Ensure those breaks are taken away from the child’s place of study. Fresh air, some physical exercise, a snack will help the child return to work relaxed and ready for further preparation.
Pointers for effective learning
Preparing a child for a test can be difficult for an adult whose schooling finished at an earlier time. However, the test prep pack and the following pointers should make the process a little easier.
1. Do the sample tests
Working through the sample tests will help your child learn actively. This is recognised by educators as a more effective form of learning than looking blankly at a page.
Doing the sample tests gives a structure to a study period. It also makes the child become familiar with the style of the test. More importantly, it also teaches the child the importance of timing in a test.
The child’s progress can be checked from test to test giving the child a sense of achievement and the adult an indication of what more needs to be done. Doing sample tests ensures the child knows what awaits them in the test centre.
2. Have fun
Teachers are aware that children learn quickly when they are having fun in class. They also retain information more easily. Try introducing fun into test prep sessions:
- Make doing the exercises fun
- Set up challenges between the child and the adult. For example, who will get the right answer first? (No prizes for guessing it will be the child!)
- Build in reward systems – the child can be rewarded for taking the time to do the work or for getting a tricky question right
When a student is stressed
Children become stressed for any number of reasons and facing a test is one of them. Very quickly a child can move from being excited they are doing this big test to being afraid of doing badly.
Being aware that this can happen is the first step to helping the child deal with it. Putting measures in place to prevent it from happening can spare the child and their supporting adult from difficult moments.
Putting measures in place can help avoid the danger of this happening. Ensure the child gets:
- Regular breaks
- Sleep and rest
- Good nutrition
- Exercise and fresh air
Even the child who displays a great deal of confidence can secretly harbour feelings of not being good enough. To offset any danger of this:
- Ensure the child is praised, not just for a superb effort but for any improvement
- When the child performs less well than expected offer encouragement and the prospect of doing better next time
The sample tests in the test prep pack allow both the adult and student to track the student’s progress and give a clear idea of where progress can be made. This information can boost the child’s confidence.
Test Day
When test day comes around the child will probably experience a combination of excitement and nervousness.
To make coping easier the adult now has another role to play ensuring the child:
- Gets a good night’s sleep before the test
- Eats a proper breakfast
- Has all the equipment they need packed in their bag
- Knows that everybody wishes him/her Good Luck!
Written by Elizabeth O Mahony
With 25+ years’ experience as a teacher and state examinations corrector, Elizabeth now writes for the education and careers industry. Her experience preparing students for examinations and running an academy for supplementary education give her invaluable insights into what it takes for job seekers and graduates to succeed in assessments.
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