CAT4 Level E [Year 8]: Overview, Samples & Practice Tests
Welcome to our comprehensive guide for the CAT4 Level E test—an assessment that measures critical thinking, reasoning, and problem-solving skills, all vital for academic success.
Preparing for this exam can be daunting, making it essential for your child to have access to the right tools and resources.
This article provides an informative overview of the CAT4 Year 8 test, complete with sample questions and practice tests to prepare your child effectively.
By exploring this page, they will familiarize themselves with the test format and content, develop test-taking strategies, and ultimately confidently approach test day.
So, let’s dive right in!
What Is the CAT4 Level E Test?
The CAT4 Level E is a cognitive ability test created by GL Assessment to assess students’ academic abilities in Year 8 (aged 11.5 – 13). It is designed to help teachers and parents identify areas of strength and weakness in their students so that they can provide appropriate support and guidance.
Both the paper-based and online versions of the CAT4 test take approximately two hours to complete. While the paper-based version takes 15 business days for the results to be available, the digital version provides instant results.
The results of the exam are vital for internal school purposes such as academic performance monitoring, as well as for admission into many schools and programs.
Get these accurate CAT4 Level E practice tests to help your child prepare and score high.
What Does the CAT4 Level E Consist of?
The CAT4 test for year 8 consists of four batteries, each includes two subsections:
- Quantitative Reasoning Battery: Number Series and Number Analogies questions
- Verbal Reasoning Battery: Verbal Classification and Verbal Analogies questions
- Non-Verbal Reasoning Battery: Figure Classification and Figure Matrices questions
- Spatial Reasoning Battery: Figure Analysis and Figure Recognition questions
So overall, there are 8 different subsections on the test.
The exam itself has three parts, each with its own time limits and amount of questions:
Part 1
- Figure Classification: 24 questions, 10 minutes
- Figure Matrices: 24 questions, 10 minutes
Part 2
- Verbal Classification: 24 questions, 8 minutes
- Verbal Analogies: 24 questions, 8 minutes
- Number Analogies: 18 questions, 10 minutes
Part 3
- Number Series: 18 questions, 8 minutes
- Figure Analysis: 18 questions, 9 minutes
- Figure Recognition: 18 questions, 9 minutes
Below are practice questions for each of the question types. For more practice questions in addition to the ones below, visit this excellent test prep page.
Free CAT4 Level E (Year 8) Practice Test
Verbal Reasoning Practice Questions
Verbal Analogy Question #1
The first pair of words go together in a certain way. Choose the word that goes together with the third word similarly.
respect → salute : approval →
A. shop
B. applaud
C. party
D. decorate
E. explore
Correct Answer & Explanation:
The correct answer is (B) – applaud. One can show respect by saluting. One can show approval by applauding. In this case, the first word (an abstract concept) can be paired with the action shown second.
Verbal Analogy Question #2
science fiction → future : prehistoric →
A. genre
B. mystery
C. extinct
D. time
E. past
Correct Answer & Explanation:
The correct answer is (E) – past. In this case, the first word (a time period/genre) is paired with a time period (second word).
Verbal Classification Question
Choose the word that belongs in the same group as the first three words.
scrambled | fried | poached
A. eggs
B. boiled
C. prepare
D. kitchen
E. cook
Correct Answer & Explanation:
The correct answer is (B) – boiled. Scrambled, fried, poached, and boiled are all ways to cook eggs. This is a specific method for cooking eggs.
Non-Verbal Reasoning Practice Questions
Figure Matrices Question #1
Figure Matrix questions are either 2×2 or 3×3 matrices, comprised of different pictures. In each row and/or column the pictures change the same way or follow the same rule. Choose an answer that goes in the empty box in the matrix following the same rule.
Correct Answer & Explanation:
The correct answer is 3.
In this question, the rules that connect the two figures of the first row are: 1- The number of sides of the outer shape increases by 1. 2- The partition from horizontal becomes vertical. 3- The total number of small shapes decreases by 1. 4- The number of black small shapes increases by 1.
The only option that fits this description is the 3rd one.
Therefore, the 3rd choice is the correct answer.
Figure Matrices Question #2
Correct Answer & Explanation:
The correct answer is 5
In this question, the rules that connect the figures of the first two rows are: First, the shapes in the first two positions merge, where the vertical rectangle is a merging center; then the whole figure obtained makes one-quarter a rotation anticlockwise.
The only option that fits this description is the 5th one.
Therefore, the 5th choice is the correct answer.
Figure Classification Question
Choose the answer that shares the same connection/characteristic as the three given images.
Correct Answer & Explanation:
The correct answer is 4.
In this question, the three figures are all shapes with the following common features: They contain four small shapes inside, and one is a diminished replica of it. The color of this replica corresponds to that of the outer shape. The only answer choice that is like this is the 4th choice.
The 2nd and 3rd choices are incorrect because they contain three inner shapes, not four. The 5th choice is also incorrect as it contains two identical small shapes, while the 1st choice is incorrect as the color of the original shape and that of its replica do not correspond.
Therefore, the 4th choice is the correct answer.
Quantitative Reasoning Practice Questions
Number Analogy Question
Choose the number that completes the third pair so that it demonstrates the same relationship as the first two pairs.
[27 → 7] [36 → 10] [63 → ?]
A. 19
B. 21
C. 22
D. 23
E. 25
Correct Answer & Explanation:
The correct answer is 19.
Look for the pattern in the first series of numbers. We get from 27 to 7 by subtracting 20 (-20) or by dividing by 3 and then subtracting 2 (÷3 – 2).
We get from 36 to 10 by subtracting 26 (-26) or by dividing by 3 and then subtracting 2 (÷3 – 2).
Since the pattern must be the same, we also get (÷3 – 2) as the pattern for the third pair. The next series of numbers should therefore follow the same pattern, meaning that the rule between 63 and ? should be (÷3 – 2): 63 ÷3 – 2 = 21 – 2 = 19, meaning that the correct answer will be 19.
Number Series Question #1
What number comes next in the series?
3 17 6 15 9 13 12 11 ?
A. 15
B. 14
C. 13
D. 12
E. 10
Correct Answer & Explanation:
The correct answer is (A) – 15.
In this series, the pattern is as follows: the numbers in the odd positions increases by 3 while those in even positions decrease by 2. (+3, -2, +3, -2)
The last number in the series (11) is in an even position, so the next number must be in an odd position. It must be 3 more than the last number in an even position (12). Hence, the next number will be 12 + 3 = 15.
Number Series Question #2
20 19 17 14 21 28 27 25 22 ?
A. 19
B. 20
C. 21
D. 29
E. 36
Correct Answer & Explanation:
The correct answer is (D) – 29.
In this exercise, a mini-series is repeated after every three operations. This mini-series consists of the following consecutive operations: -1 – 2 – 3 + 7 + 7, then again -1 – 2 – 3 + 7 + 7, and so on. Thus, since the last number (22) is 3 less than the previous one (25), the next number will be obtained by adding 7 to it, as the mini-series restarts from the beginning. Hence, we have 22 + 7 = 29.
Spatial Ability Practice Questions
Figure Analysis Question #1
Choose the answer choice that shows the final product of the unfolded punched-in paper.
Correct Answer & Explanation:
The correct answer is 2.
- First, the square was folded diagonally in half from top-right to bottom-left corners. Then, it is folded again in four quarters, where only the bottom quarter is visible.
- Then, four holes were punched in the folded quarter, forming a rhombus-like figure near the top vertex.
- Since the paper was folded in half twice, the holes were punched through four layers of paper. The holes will mirror diagonally according to the creases (the creases act as mirrors).
- Therefore, when the paper is unfolded, it will have sixteen holes: 4 holes x 4 layers = 16 holes, as described above. They are all gathered around the centre of the original figure, forming a big rhombus made of holes.
Hence, the correct answer is 2.
Figure Analysis Question #2
Correct Answer & Explanation:
The correct answer is 4.
- First, the square was folded vertically in half from top to bottom.
- Then, four cuts are made in the remaining half: one oval cut around the centre of the crease; one right triangular cut at the right side adjacent to the crease; another triangular cut at the middle of the top side; and a hole at 1/4 of the right side starting from the top-right corner.
- Since the paper was folded in half once, the holes were punched through two layers of paper. The holes will mirror vertically according to the crease (the crease acts as a mirror).
- Therefore, when the paper is unfolded, it will have eight holes: 4 holes x 2 layers = 8 holes, as described above. However, they will appear like 6 holes, as two pair of holes merge. They are all aligned according to the crease’s opposite direction, forming a pattern like the one described in the 4th choice.
Hence, the correct answer is 4.
Figure Recognition Question
Choose the answer choice that contains the given shape. The shape must keep its size and orientation.
Correct Answer & Explanation:
The correct answer is 1.
The figure shows a shape that has a square base and a triangular top. The dimensions of the star are smaller than those of the options box. Despite a lot of other not-related lines, you can see that the only option that contains such a shape with these features is the 1st one. Do not confuse the right answer with options 4 or 5, in which the base of the triangle is wider than that of the square.
The correct answer is, therefore, 1.
Elevate Your Child’s Exam Performance with These Essential Resources
Students at these ages often need robust exam preparation, but schools often struggle to provide enough practice time and materials due to their busy schedules.
This is where external preparation services come in to bridge the gap. After careful research, we’ve found TestPrep-Online to be the most valuable resource for students.
They offer 18 accurate CAT4 Level E practice tests, covering the same question types as the actual test, along with comprehensive explanations and study guides.
Get these 18 accurate CAT4 level E practice tests to help your child prepare and score high.
Understand the CAT4 Level E Test Results
After completing a test, a student’s Raw Score is determined by the number of questions answered correctly. The Raw Score is then compared with other students’ scores of the same age group to calculate three normative scores: Standard Age Scores (SAS), National Percentile Rank (NPR), and Stanines (ST).
SAS is a comparison of the student’s score with the average score of their age group, which is standardized to 100. This means that if two students from different age groups achieve the same SAS, they obtain equivalent scores compared to the respective average of their own age group.
NPR shows how a student scored in relation to others of the same age group.
The ST score classifies scores into nine bands (1-9), each proportionately corresponding to a different SAS score that indicates a different performance level.
What Is a Good Score on the CAT4 Year 8 Test?
A good score on the CAT4 Year 8 varies depending on the student’s age and additional factors. However, the average CAT4 Level E score is 100, so scoring above this average (in Stanines 7-9) is considered a good score.
Tips to Help Your Child Prepare for the CAT4 Year 8 Test
- Start preparing early to allow your child enough time to review the material.
- Access online CAT4 Year 8 practice tests that provide sample questions and answers to give your child a real sense of the test.
- Provide continual encouragement and motivation to maintain your child’s enthusiasm during preparation.
- Prioritize practice tests focusing on areas where your child struggles to improve their performance.
- Encourage your child to ask any questions or clarify concepts they don’t understand.
- Provide a quiet and comfortable study environment where your child can concentrate and study without distractions.
- Teach your child test-taking tricks, including time management, guessing, and process of elimination.
- Incorporate physical activity, breaks, or healthy snacks to improve concentration
- Monitor your child’s progress regularly to determine how much improvement they’ve made over time.
- Schedule breaks between study sessions to avoid burnout or overwhelming feelings for your child.
- Encourage your child to answer every question, even if they are unsure, to help them make educated guesses.
- Encourage your child to attain a clear understanding of the difficult concepts they encounter by revisiting them until they are understood.
Conclusion and Additional CAT4 Guides
The CAT4 Level E (Year 8) test is an essential assessment tool that measures cognitive abilities in a wide range of academic disciplines.
Familiarizing your child with the test structure, content, and format through practice tests and drills can help them acquire the confidence and skills necessary to excel in the exam.
Also, by using other helpful preparation techniques, such as developing a study plan, analyzing practice test results, and focusing on your child’s weaknesses, you can help them succeed in the exam and beyond.
Through these resources, you can encourage your child to reach their full academic potential and unlock a bright future.
More CAT4 Test Guides on Our Site:
- 18 Accurate CAT4 Level E Practice Tests
- Free CAT4 Practice Test
- CAT4 Level X [Year 2]
- CAT4 Level A [Year 4]
- CAT4 Level B [Year 5]
- CAT4 Level C [Year 6]
- CAT4 Level D [Year 7]
- CAT4 Level F [Year 9 & Year 10]
- CAT4 Level G [Year 11+]
- How to Prepare for the CAT4 Test
- CAT4 Test Results Explained
- CAT4 Age Levels Explained