Understanding CAT Tests: What Parents Need to Know

If you’ve heard the term CAT tests mentioned in relation to school admissions, setting, or student assessment, you might be wondering what they are and how they impact your child’s education.

Cognitive Abilities Tests (CATs) are sometimes used by schools to assess students’ general thinking and reasoning skills. Unlike standard curriculum-based tests, which focus on what a child has learned, CATs aim to measure potential—how well a student can process information, solve problems, and identify patterns.

In this blog, we’ll explore:

1️⃣ What CAT tests are and how they work 

2️⃣ How schools use them 

3️⃣ The pros and cons of cognitive ability testing

1️⃣ What Are CAT Tests?

Cognitive Abilities Tests (CATs) assess reasoning skills across three key areas:

🧠 Verbal reasoning – Understanding and reasoning with words, which is often linked to literacy and communication skills.

🔢 Quantitative reasoning – Working with numbers, patterns, and numerical relationships, which can indicate strengths in mathematical thinking.

🔺 Non-verbal reasoning – Solving problems using shapes, diagrams, and patterns rather than words or numbers, which can help identify students with strong visual-spatial skills.

Some versions of CATs also include a spatial reasoning component, assessing how well students manipulate and visualise objects in space—often linked to subjects like design and engineering.

Unlike traditional tests, CATs don’t require prior knowledge or revision. They are designed to be ‘fair’ across different educational backgrounds, aiming to assess raw thinking ability rather than what a child has been explicitly taught.

2️⃣ How Do Schools Use CATs?

Different schools use CATs in different ways. Here are some common uses:

🏫 Admissions & Selection – Some grammar schools and independent schools use CATs as part of their entrance assessments, particularly in Year 7 admissions. Unlike the 11+, which is a more formal exam, CATs offer an alternative way to assess a child’s cognitive strengths.

📊 Baseline Testing in Year 7 – Some secondary schools administer CATs in Year 7 to get an early understanding of students' learning potential, helping teachers tailor lessons to different ability levels.

🔢 Setting & Streaming – Some schools use CAT scores to group students into sets for subjects like maths or English, though many also consider classroom performance and teacher assessments.

🎯 Identifying Hidden Strengths & Needs – CATs can highlight students who may have strong potential but haven’t yet demonstrated it in their schoolwork. They can also flag students who may need additional support in specific areas.

It’s important to note that CATs are rarely used in isolation (at least, they shouldn't be) —they are just one piece of the puzzle when assessing student ability and progress.

3️⃣ Pros and Cons of Cognitive Ability Testing

While CATs can be a useful tool, they are not without limitations.

✅ The Benefits of CATs

✔️ Identify potential beyond school performance – Some students may not have had the same learning opportunities as their peers. CATs can help identify those with strong thinking skills who may not yet be achieving top grades.

✔️ Useful for early intervention – If a student’s CAT score is significantly lower in one area, it may highlight the need for additional support in that subject.

✔️ Less influenced by prior knowledge – Unlike curriculum tests, CATs do not rely on what a child has already been taught, reducing bias related to differences in schooling or tutoring.

✔️ A broader measure than just maths and literacy – By assessing non-verbal and spatial reasoning, CATs can highlight strengths that traditional tests might overlook.

❌ The Drawbacks of CATs

⚠️ A ‘snapshot’ rather than a full picture – A single test on a single day doesn’t define a child’s abilities. A student may underperform due to tiredness, anxiety, or unfamiliarity with the test format.

⚠️ Not a direct measure of success – While cognitive ability is important, effort, motivation, and perseverance also play a huge role in academic achievement. Some students with lower CAT scores may still go on to perform exceptionally well in school.

⚠️ Can create labelling effects – If schools rely too heavily on CAT scores, students might be placed in sets that limit their potential rather than encourage growth.

⚠️ Not always inclusive – While CATs aim to be fairer than knowledge-based tests, some children—especially those with special educational needs or language barriers—may struggle with certain sections.

Final Thoughts

CATs can be a useful tool for schools to understand students' potential, but they should always be considered alongside other factors like classroom performance, teacher assessments, and student motivation.

For parents, the key takeaway is this: a test score does not define your child. Schools use these tests as part of a bigger picture, and a lower score does not mean a child won’t thrive academically. Encouraging curiosity, resilience, and a love of learning will always be more powerful than any test result.

If your child is due to sit CATs, the best preparation is simply to encourage problem-solving, reading, and logical thinking in everyday life—without unnecessary stress or pressure.