CAT4 Sample Questions for All Levels

Welcome to our guide to CAT4 sample questions for Levels A to G. The CAT4, or Cognitive Abilities Test: Fourth Edition, is a reasoning assessment used by schools to understand how students think, solve problems, and work with unfamiliar information.

On this page, you will find free CAT4-style sample questions across the main question types: figure classification, figure matrices, verbal classification, verbal analogies, number analogies, number series, figure analysis, and figure recognition.

These examples are designed to help parents and students understand the format of the test. They are not official GL Assessment questions, but they reflect the kinds of reasoning skills students may need when preparing for CAT4.

Need the full CAT4 overview?
For a complete explanation of CAT4 levels, scoring, test structure, and preparation strategy, visit our main CAT4 guide.

Looking for full CAT4 practice?
Use the free samples below to understand the format. For complete CAT4 practice tests, level-specific questions, and explanations, visit TestPrep-Online CAT4 practice packs.

CAT4 Levels by Age and School Year

CAT4 levels are usually selected according to the student’s age and school year. The table below gives a practical guide, but schools may use their own placement rules depending on the curriculum, country, and testing purpose.

LevelEngland & WalesScotlandNorthern IrelandIrelandUAEApprox. Age RangePractice
AYear 4Primary 5Y5 / P53rd classGrade 37.5-10Choose CAT4 pack
BYear 5Primary 6Y6 / P64th classGrade 48.5-11Choose CAT4 pack
CYear 6Primary 7Y7 / P75th classGrade 59.5-12Choose CAT4 pack
DYear 7Secondary 1Y8 / F1End of 5th class / 6th classGrade 610.5-13Choose CAT4 pack
EYear 8Secondary 2Y9 / F2End of 6th class / 1st yearGrade 711.5-14Choose CAT4 pack
FYear 9 / Year 10Secondary 3 / Secondary 4Y10 / Y112nd and 3rd yearGrade 8 / Grade 912.5-16Choose CAT4 pack
GYear 11+Secondary 5 / Secondary 6Y12+4th year / Transition Year / 5th yearGrade 10 / Grade 1114.5-17+Choose CAT4 pack

Important:
The school decides which CAT4 level a student takes. Always follow the level stated by your school, admissions office, or testing provider.

Figure Classification

In Figure Classification questions, students identify the answer option that shares the same rule or characteristic as the first three figures. These questions measure non-verbal reasoning.

Level A: Sample Question

CAT4 Level A figure classification sample question
Answer

The correct answer is D.

The correct option shares the horizontal line pattern seen in the first three figures.

Level B: Sample Question

CAT4 Level B figure classification sample question
Answer

The correct answer is F.

The correct option matches the shared grey colour pattern.

Level C: Sample Question

CAT4 Level C figure classification sample question
Answer

The correct answer is N.

The first three figures share two rules: they have striped patterns and four sides. Option N satisfies both rules.

Level D: Sample Question

CAT4 Level D figure classification sample question
Answer

The correct answer is U.

The figures in the left row are divided into equal sections. Option U is divided into equal parts and matches the rule.

Level E: Sample Question

CAT4 Level E figure classification sample question
Answer

The correct answer is C.

Each figure in the first group is divided into four parts. Option C matches this pattern.

Level F: Sample Question

CAT4 Level F figure classification sample question
Answer

The correct answer is K.

The middle shape must be a rhombus formed by combining or comparing the two outer shapes. Option K best represents this relationship.

Level G: Sample Question

CAT4 Level G figure classification sample question
Answer

The correct answer is L.

Option L follows the side-count rule: the inner shape has four sides, the middle shape has five sides, and the outer shape has six sides.

Take a complete CAT4 practice test

Figure Matrices

In Figure Matrices questions, students complete a visual matrix by finding the answer option that follows the same pattern. These questions measure non-verbal reasoning and visual logic.

Level A: Sample Question

CAT4 Level A figure matrices sample question
Answer

The correct answer is C.

The missing piece follows the same rule of filling the shape with the gradient in the second step.

Level B: Sample Question

CAT4 Level B figure matrices sample question
Answer

The correct answer is G.

The transformation in the top row must be applied to the bottom row. Option G follows the same shape-change logic.

Level C: Sample Question

CAT4 Level C figure matrices sample question
Answer

The correct answer is N.

The diagonal line direction changes from right-slanting to left-slanting. The triangle must follow the same rule, so option N is correct.

Level D: Sample Question

CAT4 Level D figure matrices sample question
Answer

The correct answer is P.

The pattern changes the position and shading of the inner shape. Applying the same rule to the bottom row gives option P.

Level E: Sample Question

CAT4 Level E figure matrices sample question
Answer

The correct answer is L.

The shaded part moves and changes in a consistent way across the matrix. Option L follows the same movement and shading rule.

Level F: Sample Question

CAT4 Level F figure matrices sample question
Answer

The correct answer is Q.

Each arrow direction corresponds to a specific shape, and the arrow colour determines the shading of that shape. Option Q follows both rules.

Level G: Sample Question

CAT4 Level G figure matrices sample question
Answer

The correct answer is P.

The shapes rotate clockwise across the matrix. Option P shows the next shape after applying the same rotation rule.

Choose a CAT4 practice pack

Verbal Classification

In Verbal Classification questions, students identify the word that belongs to the same category as the given words. These questions measure verbal reasoning and vocabulary relationships.

Level A: Sample Question

Purple    Yellow    Orange

  1. Paint
  2. Colour
  3. Red
  4. Table
  5. Shade
Answer

The correct answer is C, Red.

Purple, yellow, orange, and red are all colours.

Level B: Sample Question

Eagle    Hawk    Falcon

  1. Vulture
  2. Parrot
  3. Nest
  4. Sparrow
  5. Predator
Answer

The correct answer is A, Vulture.

Eagle, hawk, falcon, and vulture are all birds of prey.

Level C: Sample Question

Violin    Guitar    Cello

  1. Musician
  2. Harp
  3. Strings
  4. Piano
  5. Xylophone
Answer

The correct answer is B, Harp.

Violin, guitar, cello, and harp are all stringed instruments.

Level D: Sample Question

Whisper    Murmur    Mumble

  1. Yell
  2. Speak
  3. Shout
  4. Hum
  5. Mutter
Answer

The correct answer is E, Mutter.

Mutter is similar to whisper, murmur, and mumble because all describe speaking softly or indistinctly.

Level E: Sample Question

Fragile    Delicate    Brittle

  1. Sturdy
  2. Strong
  3. Weak
  4. Breakable
  5. Flexible
Answer

The correct answer is D, Breakable.

Fragile, delicate, brittle, and breakable all describe something that can be damaged easily.

Level F: Sample Question

Cryptic    Obscure    Enigmatic

  1. Transparent
  2. Inscrutable
  3. Puzzling
  4. Straightforward
  5. Complex
Answer

The correct answer is B, Inscrutable.

Cryptic, obscure, enigmatic, and inscrutable all describe something difficult to understand or interpret.

Level G: Sample Question

Audacious    Bold    Intrepid

  1. Timid
  2. Reckless
  3. Brave
  4. Courageous
  5. Daring
Answer

The correct answer is E, Daring.

Audacious, bold, intrepid, and daring all describe courage or willingness to take risks.

Practise CAT4 verbal reasoning

Verbal Analogies

In Verbal Analogies questions, students identify the relationship between two words and apply the same relationship to another pair.

Level A: Sample Question

Tree → Forest : Star → ?

  1. Night
  2. Sky
  3. Galaxy
  4. Light
  5. Moon
Answer

The correct answer is C, Galaxy.

A tree is part of a forest, just as a star is part of a galaxy.

Level B: Sample Question

Dog → Bark : Cat → ?

  1. Meow
  2. Scratch
  3. Fur
  4. Tail
  5. Brush
Answer

The correct answer is A, Meow.

A dog barks, just as a cat meows.

Level C: Sample Question

Pen → Write : Brush → ?

  1. Paint
  2. Clean
  3. Draw
  4. Colour
  5. Crayon
Answer

The correct answer is A, Paint.

A pen is used to write, just as a brush is used to paint.

Level D: Sample Question

Bird → Nest : Bee → ?

  1. Hive
  2. Flower
  3. Buzz
  4. Honey
  5. Comb
Answer

The correct answer is A, Hive.

A bird lives in a nest, just as a bee lives in a hive.

Level E: Sample Question

Compass → Direction : Clock → ?

  1. Time
  2. Hands
  3. Numbers
  4. Alarm
  5. Measurement
Answer

The correct answer is A, Time.

A compass is used to determine direction, just as a clock is used to measure time.

Level F: Sample Question

Architect → Blueprint : Composer → ?

  1. Conductor
  2. Orchestra
  3. Opera
  4. Symphony
  5. Instrument
Answer

The correct answer is D, Symphony.

An architect creates a blueprint, just as a composer creates a symphony.

Level G: Sample Question

Lawyer → Contract : Scientist → ?

  1. Research
  2. Hypothesis
  3. Microscope
  4. Experiment
  5. Laboratory
Answer

The correct answer is B, Hypothesis.

A lawyer works with contracts as a core legal document. A scientist begins research by forming a hypothesis.

Start CAT4 practice by level

Number Analogies

In Number Analogies questions, students find the numerical relationship in each pair and apply the same rule to the missing number.

Level A: Sample Question

[20 → 4]    [40 → 8]    [60 → ?]

  1. 10
  2. 12
  3. 16
  4. 15
  5. 18
Answer

The correct answer is B, 12.

Each number is divided by 5: 60 ÷ 5 = 12.

Level B: Sample Question

[7 → 49]    [8 → 64]    [9 → ?]

  1. 72
  2. 81
  3. 85
  4. 90
  5. 99
Answer

The correct answer is B, 81.

Each number is squared: 9² = 81.

Level C: Sample Question

[30 → 15]    [50 → 25]    [70 → ?]

  1. 35
  2. 40
  3. 45
  4. 50
  5. 55
Answer

The correct answer is A, 35.

Each number is divided by 2: 70 ÷ 2 = 35.

Level D: Sample Question

[4 → 24]    [6 → 48]    [8 → ?]

  1. 56
  2. 64
  3. 72
  4. 80
  5. 96
Answer

The correct answer is D, 80.

Each number is multiplied by the next even number: 4 × 6 = 24, 6 × 8 = 48, and 8 × 10 = 80.

Level E: Sample Question

[2 → 8]    [3 → 27]    [4 → ?]

  1. 32
  2. 64
  3. 81
  4. 100
  5. 125
Answer

The correct answer is B, 64.

Each number is cubed: 4³ = 64.

Level F: Sample Question

[12 → 18]    [20 → 30]    [28 → ?]

  1. 36
  2. 40
  3. 42
  4. 44
  5. 48
Answer

The correct answer is C, 42.

Each number is multiplied by 1.5: 28 × 1.5 = 42.

Level G: Sample Question

[4 → 10]    [6 → 16]    [8 → ?]

  1. 22
  2. 24
  3. 26
  4. 28
  5. 32
Answer

The correct answer is A, 22.

Multiply by 3, then subtract 2: 8 × 3 = 24, and 24 − 2 = 22.

Practise CAT4 number questions

Number Series

In Number Series questions, students find the pattern in a sequence and choose the number that should come next.

Level A: Sample Question

50, 45, 40, 35, ?

  1. 25
  2. 30
  3. 20
  4. 28
  5. 15
Answer

The correct answer is B, 30.

The numbers decrease by 5 each time.

Level B: Sample Question

81, 72, 63, 54, ?

  1. 36
  2. 46
  3. 48
  4. 45
  5. 42
Answer

The correct answer is D, 45.

The numbers decrease by 9 each time.

Level C: Sample Question

2, 4, 8, 16, ?

  1. 20
  2. 24
  3. 36
  4. 32
  5. 38
Answer

The correct answer is D, 32.

Each number is multiplied by 2.

Level D: Sample Question

3, 9, 27, 81, ?

  1. 162
  2. 243
  3. 324
  4. 180
  5. 270
Answer

The correct answer is B, 243.

Each number is multiplied by 3.

Level E: Sample Question

1, 0, 8, 7, 15, 14, 22, ?

  1. 18
  2. 19
  3. 21
  4. 30
  5. 31
Answer

The correct answer is C, 21.

The pattern alternates between subtracting 1 and adding 8: 1 − 1 = 0, 0 + 8 = 8, 8 − 1 = 7, and so on. After 22, subtract 1 to get 21.

Level F: Sample Question

1, 3, 7, 15, 31, 63, 127, ?

  1. 255
  2. 168
  3. 284
  4. 227
  5. 155
Answer

The correct answer is A, 255.

Each number is doubled and then 1 is added: 127 × 2 + 1 = 255.

Level G: Sample Question

4, 22, 9, 8, 44, 18, 16, 88, 36, ?

  1. 86
  2. 176
  3. 32
  4. 54
  5. 72
Answer

The correct answer is C, 32.

This sequence contains three interwoven series. The first series is 4, 8, 16, 32. Each number doubles.

Choose a CAT4 practice pack

Figure Analysis

In Figure Analysis questions, students imagine how a folded paper will look when it is unfolded. These questions measure spatial reasoning.

Level A: Sample Question

CAT4 Level A figure analysis sample question
Answer

The correct answer is C.

The hole creates two symmetric impressions along the folded edge when the paper is unfolded.

Level B: Sample Question

CAT4 Level B figure analysis sample question
Answer

The correct answer is F.

The hole creates four symmetric impressions, one in each quadrant of the square, when the paper is unfolded.

Level C: Sample Question

CAT4 Level C figure analysis sample question
Answer

The correct answer is N.

The paper is folded twice, creating symmetry across two axes. The punched hole appears in four matching positions when unfolded.

Level D: Sample Question

CAT4 Level D figure analysis sample question
Answer

The correct answer is L.

CAT4 Level D figure analysis answer

Level E: Sample Question

CAT4 Level E figure analysis sample question
Answer

The correct answer is P.

CAT4 Level E figure analysis answer

Level F: Sample Question

CAT4 Level F figure analysis sample question
Answer

The correct answer is M.

CAT4 Level F figure analysis answer

Level G: Sample Question

CAT4 Level G figure analysis sample question
Answer

The correct answer is L.

CAT4 Level G figure analysis answer

Practise CAT4 spatial reasoning

Figure Recognition

In Figure Recognition questions, students identify a target shape hidden inside a more complex design. These questions measure spatial reasoning and visual recognition.

Level A: Sample Question

CAT4 Level A figure recognition sample question
Answer

The correct answer is B.

CAT4 Level A figure recognition answer

Level B: Sample Question

CAT4 Level B figure recognition sample question
Answer

The correct answer is K.

CAT4 Level B figure recognition answer

Level C: Sample Question

CAT4 Level C figure recognition sample question
Answer

The correct answer is P.

CAT4 Level C figure recognition answer

Level D: Sample Question

CAT4 Level D figure recognition sample question
Answer

The correct answer is Q.

CAT4 Level D figure recognition answer

Level E: Sample Question

CAT4 Level E figure recognition sample question
Answer

The correct answer is M.

CAT4 Level E figure recognition answer

Level F: Sample Question

CAT4 Level F figure recognition sample question
Answer

The correct answer is N.

CAT4 Level F figure recognition answer

Level G: Sample Question

CAT4 Level G figure recognition sample question
Answer

The correct answer is Q.

CAT4 Level G figure recognition answer

Take a complete CAT4 practice test

CAT4 Preparation Packs

Free sample questions are useful for understanding the format, but full preparation should include timed practice, mixed question types, and answer explanations. This is especially important because CAT4 includes both verbal and visual reasoning tasks, and students may find some question types unfamiliar at first.

CAT4 preparation packs can help students practise:

  • Verbal reasoning: verbal classification and verbal analogies.
  • Quantitative reasoning: number analogies and number series.
  • Non-verbal reasoning: figure classification and figure matrices.
  • Spatial reasoning: figure analysis and figure recognition.
  • Timing: working accurately under time pressure.
  • Review: learning from explanations after each practice test.

Recommended CAT4 preparation:
For full CAT4 practice by level, visit TestPrep-Online CAT4 practice packs. Choose the level that matches your child’s school instructions, age, or year group.

CAT4 Sample Questions FAQs

What types of questions are on CAT4?

CAT4 includes verbal classification, verbal analogies, number analogies, number series, figure classification, figure matrices, figure analysis, and figure recognition.

Are these official CAT4 questions?

No. These are CAT4-style sample questions designed for practice and explanation. They are not official GL Assessment questions.

Which CAT4 level should my child practise?

Your child should practise the CAT4 level given by the school. If you do not know the level, use the age and school year table above as a general guide.

Can practice help with CAT4?

Yes. Practice can help students understand the question types, reduce test anxiety, improve pacing, and learn how to spot patterns and relationships more efficiently.

Where can I find full CAT4 practice tests?

You can use the free samples on this page first, then choose a full CAT4 practice pack from TestPrep-Online for level-specific practice tests and explanations.

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