Information about CAT4 testing
At Keble, as part of our assessment policy, boys take the CAT4 test at the beginning of the Autumn term in Years 4-8. The tests are timetabled and parents are informed on which week they will occur.
Does my child need to revise for the tests?
No, the tests are curriculum-independent and no preparation is required.
How are the CAT tests delivered?
The CAT tests are computerised and pupils use a school Chromebook
To help parents have a greater understanding of the tests GL Assessment has put together some information for parents.
What are CAT4 tests?
CAT4 tests are the UK’s most widely used test of reasoning abilities for children aged 6 – 17+ years.
CAT4 is an assessment of developed abilities in areas known to make a difference to learning and achievement – namely verbal, non-verbal, quantitative and spatial reasoning – and provides you with an accurate analysis of potential student achievement.
Standardised on 25,000 students and verified every year based on analysis of a quarter of a million students, CAT4 provides you with valuable baselining data with national benchmarks. It also gives reliable indicators for national tests and examinations, including Key Stage 2 indicators.
Using the scores, teachers can get an idea of potential. CAT4 provides an understanding of what a child is capable of, as well as identifying which pupils have the potential to achieve more and those who need support in certain subjects. A pupil with a low quantitative score may struggle with maths, for instance, while one with a low verbal score may find it difficult to access the curriculum. These insights help teachers to personalise their learning and unlock hidden potential.
CAT4 provides clear, benchmarked insights into pupils’ reasoning abilities at every phase, which is particularly valuable when pupils have no prior data, have arrived from abroad, or if they have moved schools frequently.
By including tests of verbal, non-verbal, quantitative and spatial reasoning, CAT4 assesses the main types of reasoning ability known to make a difference to learning achievement. CAT4 gives information about the level at which a pupil is learning or has the potential to learn, and their pattern of abilities – leading to the pupil profile of academic bias.
Pupils with a verbal deficit are likely to need additional support in developing their vocabulary in order to access the curriculum. CAT4 allows you to identify these pupils, enabling you to identify which pupils require support to close the vocabulary gap. CAT4 can also highlight the children with poor verbal skills, which could be masking hidden potential in other areas.
