The Cognitive Abilities Test (CAT) assesses a student’s ability to reason with and manipulate different types of material. The CAT4 tests comprise of 4 batteries of tests that assess the main types of mental processing which play a substantial role in human thought. These results of these tests provide us with information about a student’s ability which helps teachers effectively plan.
The CAT4 batteries assess…
- reasoning with words
- reasoning with numbers
- reasoning with shapes and designs
- thinking with and mentally manipulating precise shapes
The tests are designed specifically to minimise the role of prior learning – there is no requirement to review or prepare for the tests and it is possible to view the results as an indication of future potential
When are these tests taken?
Students take the CAT4 tests in September of Year 7.
How are results scores reported?
CAT4 results show students’ scores in each of these areas. The raw scores are converted into Standard Ages Scores (SAS), which means they are weighted to take into account the student’s age when they sat the test. The average SAS score is 100. Around two-thirds of pupils in the national age group will score between 85 and 115.
How do the scores fit a description?
Using your child’s mean SAS score, you can interpret them as follows:
| Cognitive Abilities Tests - table | |
| Very high ability | 127 or above |
| Above average ability | 112 – 126 |
| Average ability | 89-111 |
| Below average abilityBelow average ability | 74-88 |
| Very low ability | Below 74 |