CATs score in top schools

My youngest is in at Winchester, waitlisted at Eton and rejected at Westminster.

His scores ranged from something like 118 for spatial I think, to 137ish for quant and 141 for VR. I think I've forgotten one.

My oldest attends one of the aforementioned and his scores were much the same, although different strengths and weaknesses.

Apologies the sarcastic tone of my previous message. I share cake's cynical attitude towards the London rumour mill as my DSs are in schools which have desired senior schools by the pushy parent brigade and rumours of their schools rarely line up to the reality at the schools. The woman who told me that the number was 135 was telling me that my son, who is in one of the most desired schools, would never get into Westminster or Eton with his 130 CAT as they wanted 135.

Our prep is 125+ for most selective London schools, and lower for other top 100 Indys, 115+ told to apply but 120+ definitely in.

The London rumour mill is run by the "my child is a genius brigade". It works along the lines of "you have to be a genius to get into a top London school, my child has a place therefore he is a genius, making me the very proud parent of a genius". These are the same people who's baby slept through at 4 weeks old, were potty trained at 6 months and could read Dickens in reception.

If 2% of the population score 130 in standardised tests, you can see that's too high because most children will apply to 3+ schools so won't necessarily take the school even if offered.
Say there are 600 applicants which is about right for the top London independent schools. If 130 is the cutoff, then only 12 would get offers - way too low a number even allowing for a self-selecting bright group who decide to apply.
I've heard the 125 guideline as well, but do think a score of 120 will suffice for all but the most competitive school. Whether you'd enjoy the school after scrapping in or not, I am unsure.

I think that is a bit harsh Moma. Our prep suggests a minimum of 125 to consider the most selective LONDON schools.

Based upon the Oh-so-reliable London rumour mill, I’m told that prep schools give the figure of 135 for the most selective senior schools.

We did not do/won’t do 11+ so I can’t really answer the 2nd part of your question but can only guess that it is used as a crude iqish test.