CATS test

[linconlass]

Does anyone know what CATS test look like? !! Ds has to take at new school in sept.Aware cognitive ability ...I want to know to prep confidence wise, as not keen on tests!! thanks !!

At our school all the students sit CAT tests early in Y7. There is no preparation to do for them.

I think their purpose is to help the school get a feel for the child's ability so that if they are underperforming at any stage, it can be picked up quickly and some extra support offered.

They really should not be viewed as a scary test, just one more tool that schools use. Please try not to worry about them.

Verbal reasoning, non verbal reasoning type things. The whole point is you don't prepare! It is not knowledge based so there is no need to.
To be picky the T in Cats is test so it is not CAT tests but CATS!

I stand corrected CATs

DCs took CATS in Year 6 as part of their induction to their secondary school. The scores they have are for Verbal Reasoning, Non Verbal reasoning and Quantative Reasoning.

its verbal reasoning, non verbal reasoning and maths. you could get the bond assessment papers from smiths to try though they are really 11+ practice material but knowing how to tackle the questions is half the battle. Your son would get used to the style of questioning and then may not find it so nerve wracking come September. they do them in Y7 8 and 9 in our school though the scores should remain fairly constant.

Schools only use CAT test scores as an indication of potential and to check child is not underachieving. They are often used in prep schools to help schools think about a child's underlying ability and perhaps help in future school selection. At secondary school they are not used generally to set children, but again to track children and check they are meeting their potential. They are multiple choice and completed to time. They are meant to be done without preparation, so best for your child just to take them in his stride and not to worry.

One boy in DDs year got 100% in his CAT tests, but like DD had been trying for the Grammar school and so had done lots of VR & NVR practice.

DD did NOT get anywhere near 100%, which is why she did not get a Grammar place

DDs school did CAT test beginning of year 4.I did not think much but do you think I should ask for her levels in the next parent teacher evening - did not ask it last time.We are not in the grammar catchment area by the way and it is a non selective independent school

DS1 @ indie prep feeder for indie senior does cat tests each year - the boys (and parents!) are not given any warning - I only found out about it because DS casually remarked he had had to do his @ lunchtime as missed main session with the others due to music lesson.
Teachers do not rerfer to it, and no entry on school report, so presume for internal monitoring/calibration only.