CAT4 Year 11 Practice Tests 2026: Free Level G Samples and Preparation Guide
Help your child prepare for CAT4 Level G with free Year 11 samples, clear explanations of all eight subtests, score guidance and a calm, structured preparation plan.
CAT4 Year 11 practice resources
Begin with a free CAT4 samples. Move to structured practice only after you have identified which question types are unfamiliar or causing avoidable errors.
Free CAT4 sample questions
Use the free sample to introduce Year 11 question formats and identify which reasoning batteries need further practice.
CAT4 Year 11 preparation pack
Use broader Level G practice for repeated exposure to verbal, quantitative, non-verbal and spatial question formats.
CAT4 flagship guide
Compare levels, understand the four batteries and find year-by-year CAT4 preparation guidance.
Which CAT4 level is used in Year 11?
Year 11 pupils commonly take CAT4 Level G, the most advanced CAT4 level. It is designed for older secondary pupils and compares performance with pupils of a similar age.
What Level G assesses
- Relationships between words and verbal concepts
- Numerical patterns and transformations
- Visual rules using shapes and figures
- Mental rotation, folding and spatial recognition
- Accuracy and pace with unfamiliar problems
Why schools use it in Year 11
- To review reasoning strengths before post-16 transition
- To identify relative reasoning strengths
- To support final GCSE expectations and post-16 planning
- To explore differences between attainment and reasoning
- In some schools, to inform sixth-form, college or selective post-16 admissions
The eight CAT4 Year 11 subtests
CAT4 Level G combines four reasoning batteries. Each battery contains two subtests, creating eight distinct question formats.
Verbal Analogies
Identify the relationship between a pair of words and apply the same relationship to a second pair.
Year 11 focus: precise vocabulary, relationship types and resisting options that are associated but not equivalent.
Verbal Classification
Find the concept shared by a group of words and select another word that belongs to the same class.
Year 11 focus: defining the exact shared feature rather than choosing a broadly related word.
Number Analogies
Discover the numerical operation connecting one pair and apply it consistently to another.
Year 11 focus: checking a proposed rule against every pair before choosing an answer.
Number Series
Identify the pattern governing a sequence and determine which number should come next.
Year 11 focus: alternating rules, changing intervals and sequences using more than one operation.
Figure Matrices
Work out how shapes change across rows and columns and select the missing figure.
Year 11 focus: tracking number, position, rotation, shading and combination separately.
Figure Classification
Identify the visual rule shared by several figures and select another figure with the same property.
Year 11 focus: testing one possible rule at a time and ignoring decorative differences.
Figure Analysis
Visualise how a folded and punched shape will appear after it is completely unfolded.
Year 11 focus: reversing each fold in sequence and mirroring every punched position correctly.
Figure Recognition
Locate a target shape hidden within a complex design while retaining its defining structure.
Year 11 focus: tracing the target systematically rather than judging the overall visual impression.
Free samples for all eight CAT4 question types
These existing School Entrance Tests downloads introduce the same eight broad subtest formats used at Level G. Begin without timing and use the pupil’s explanations to identify where further practice is needed.
Figure Analysis
Practise mentally unfolding a folded and punched shape.
Number Series
Practise recognising the rule governing a numerical sequence.
Figure Matrices
Practise identifying visual changes across rows and columns.
Figure Classification
Practise identifying the shared rule linking several figures.
Number Analogies
Practise applying a numerical relationship to a new pair.
Verbal Analogies
Practise identifying and transferring precise word relationships.
Verbal Classification
Practise finding the concept shared by a group of words.
Figure Recognition
Practise locating a target shape within a complex design.
What should a Year 11 pupil practise?
| Battery | What it measures | Useful Year 11 preparation | Avoid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Verbal | Word relationships and verbal concepts | Discuss synonyms, categories, functions, opposites and whole-part relationships. | Learning isolated word lists without using words in relationships. |
| Quantitative | Numerical patterns and transformations | Practise identifying operations, alternating rules and checking a rule across several values. | Assuming every sequence uses only simple addition. |
| Non-verbal | Rules expressed through shapes | Track changes in position, count, rotation, shading and overlap one feature at a time. | Choosing an option because it merely looks similar. |
| Spatial | Mental manipulation of visual information | Use folding, rotation and hidden-shape activities with careful step-by-step explanation. | Trying to solve everything through quick visual intuition. |
What is a good CAT4 Year 11 score?
CAT4 results are commonly reported as Standard Age Scores, or SAS. These scores are adjusted for age so that a pupil can be compared fairly with others of a similar age.
| SAS | Broad interpretation |
|---|---|
| Below 90 | Below the average range |
| 90–110 | Broadly average range |
| 115–160 | Above average |
| 121–129 | Very high |
| 130+ | Exceptionally high |
A six-week CAT4 Year 11 preparation plan
This plan assumes two or three short sessions each week. Adapt the pace to the pupil and give more time to unfamiliar formats rather than repeating strong areas unnecessarily.
Baseline and formats
Complete a short Level G sample without timing. Record unfamiliar question types, confidence and common error patterns.
Advanced verbal reasoning
Practise complex analogies and classification. Require precise definitions of relationships and careful discrimination between close alternatives.
Advanced quantitative reasoning
Practise multi-step analogies, alternating sequences and changing intervals. Require every proposed rule to work across all available values.
Non-verbal reasoning
Work on matrices and classification using a checklist of visual features: number, position, direction, shading and size.
Spatial reasoning
Practise unfolding and hidden-shape tasks. Encourage slow, sequential visualisation before increasing speed.
Mixed timed practice
Complete a realistic Level G simulation, review the most informative errors and refine pacing across the eight advanced subtests.
Five habits that help with CAT4 Level G
Define the rule before checking options
Looking at options too early can encourage guessing. First state what is changing or what relationship is required.
Check the rule against all available information
A rule that explains only one pair or one part of a matrix may be accidental. Verify it before committing.
Separate the visual features
For figure questions, inspect number, shape, position, rotation, shading and size independently.
Move on from an unproductive item
One difficult question should not consume the time needed for several more accessible questions.
Review the reasoning, not only the answer
Ask why an incorrect choice appeared plausible and what clue should guide the next attempt.
Helping a Year 11 pupil on CAT4 test day
Before the assessment
- Keep the previous evening calm and familiar
- Avoid a long final practice session
- Prepare any school equipment in advance
- Encourage normal sleep and breakfast routines
- Remind the pupil that some questions are designed to feel difficult
During the assessment
- Read each instruction carefully
- Use the method practised for that subtest
- Eliminate clearly inconsistent options
- Do not panic after one difficult question
- Maintain a steady pace rather than rushing at the start
CAT4 Year 11 questions answered
Which CAT4 level is used in Year 11?
What age is CAT4 Level G for?
Is CAT4 Year 11 the same as the 11 plus?
What is an average Year 11 CAT4 score?
Can CAT4 Year 11 scores improve with practice?
How long is the CAT4 Year 11 test?
What should my child practise first?
Should Year 11 CAT4 practice be timed?
How many weeks of CAT4 practice are needed?
Do Year 11 CAT4 results determine sets?
Start Year 11 CAT4 preparation with a free sample
Use the sample to identify unfamiliar subtests, then choose targeted Level G practice and introduce timing only after the reasoning methods are secure.