CAT4 Tests

[Sweetie1980]

Hello ,
could anyone please clarify what these tests are ? My DS has to do this during his induction for secondary school ( seems a bit harsh ) and they last for two hours.

They are a set of tests covering verbal and non verbal reasoning, spatial and quantitative awareness. So reading, maths, pattern spotting type stuff. Some of it is like the SATS. A lot of secondary schools do them to give them a fuller idea of where children are at and their potential. I think they have benefits over SATS because they cover some other areas and the kids won't have been coached through them so you get more of an idea of where they are really at.

They aren't a big deal really. I have an anxious child who sat them and was remarkably unbothered by the experience.

@CarryOnThen thank you for taking the time to reply . The school do say to not do any prep for them , but it’s a shame they are during the induction day. My ds is already anxious about the day as he won’t know one child !

Doing them during induction does sound harsh, they did them in the first weeks of term at my DC's school.

That would be better I think . I guess I should warn him about them!

DS is at an independent prep and they do these as standard ( but they don't do SATs)
Some independent schools use them as part of their entrance exams too.

They are in the main a measure of skill and intelligence rather than knowledge. Appears he's got a very high aptitude for maths and is just above average for English..Honestly nothing to worry about I think all nit does if give the teachers an idea.

My DS did his last weekend. The school use them to make balanced class groups, and as an aid when setting (the school sets extensively and early on in Y7).

Lots of schools do them now as part of induction or within the first week or so in September.
They won’t be told the results. It is purely for internal school purposes.

They give us the results in our school

My DS is taking a CAT4 assessment tomorrow as part of an application to an international school in Dubai. Has anyone had experience of this when applying in Dubai and any advice? Has anyone not been offered a place because of the results?

My daughter did them early in Year 7. It's just one measure of aptitude, so they can look at ability along with the child's SATs and entrance exam (if there was one). So it's absolutely nothing to prepare for, and you probably won't receive any results. The school will probably use them to determine initial GCSE targets, and for setting.

Yes, my daughter did them for Dubai College for entry into year 7 in 2022. It depends on the school whether it impacts admission or not (DC is highly selective but others just use them to identify learning needs). Best to ask the school.

Hi @firsttrax - did you daughter end up going to Dubai College? Would be very interested in hearing first hand experience about the school.

Hi @Buru yes she did. She was there for years 7-9 before we moved back to the UK in August. It is a fantastic school, very academic but also very sporty. Incredible teaching and facilities. On a par with schools like Hampton, LEH and Latymer Upper in London. Great location next to the beach. Let me know if you have any other specific questions.

Thank you @firsttrax; I sent you a DM.