Pre-testing essentials
Test environment
The test must be administered in a formal test environment with students made aware that they are taking a test and that the usual expectations of behaviour and constraints of a test session will be in place. It is important that the invigilator is active in ensuring that students are working their way through the tests with intent and that there is no talking or opportunity to copy from another’s work.
Setting up
- Be sure the testing room is comfortable.
- Place a ‘Testing – Do Not Disturb’ sign on the door.
- Try to forestall any interruption of the testing session by visitors or announcements.
- Ensure all students are comfortable and prepared before beginning the test.
Time needed for testing
Each battery of CAT4 consists of two tests with differing timings.
Allow approximately 40 minutes of testing time for each part of CAT4 levels A-G, or 30 minutes of testing time for each part of CAT4 levels X, Y or Pre-A.
Each battery should take no longer than 45 minutes in total, including administration instructions, examples and practice questions.
It is recommended that CAT4 is administered in three parts and the instructions that follow assume this will be the case and indicate where breaks should be taken.
Paper
| CAT4 Paper Levels X and Y | Test time | Approximate time needed for instructions, examples and practice items | Approximate length of test session |
|---|---|---|---|
| Part 1 | |||
| Figures | 12 minutes | 5 minutes | 32 minutes + settling time |
| Words | 10 minutes | 5 minutes | |
| Part 2 | |||
| Numbers | 10 minutes | 5 minutes | 31 minutes + settling time |
| Shapes | 11 minutes | 5 minutes | |
| CAT4 Paper Level Pre-A | |||
| Part 1 | |||
| Figure Classification | 10 minutes | 5 minutes | 30 minutes + settling time |
| Verbal Classification | 10 minutes | 5 minutes | |
| Part 2 | |||
| Number Series | 8 minutes | 5 minutes | 27 minutes + settling time |
| Figure Recognition | 9 minutes | 5 minutes | |
| CAT4 Paper Levels A-G | Test time | Approximate time needed for instructions, examples and practice items | Approximate length of test session |
|---|---|---|---|
| Part 1 | |||
| Figure Classification | 10 minutes | 15 minutes | 40 minutes + settling time |
| Figure Matrices | 10 minutes | 5 minutes | |
| Part 2 | |||
| Verbal Classification | 8 minutes | 5 minutes | 41 minutes + settling time |
| Verbal Analogies | 8 minutes | 5 minutes | |
| Number Analogies | 10 minutes | 5 minutes | |
| Part 3 | |||
| Number Series | 8 minutes | 5 minutes | 41 minutes + settling time |
| Figure Analysis | 9 minutes | 5 minutes | |
| Figure Recognition | 9 minutes | 5 minutes | |
Digital
| CAT4 Digital Level X | Test time | Approximate time needed for instructions, examples and practice items | Approximate length of test session |
|---|---|---|---|
| Part 1 | |||
| Figures | 12 minutes | 5 minutes | 32 minutes + settling time |
| Words | 10 minutes | 5 minutes | |
| Part 2 | |||
| Numbers | 10 minutes | 5 minutes | 31 minutes + settling time |
| Shapes | 11 minutes | 5 minutes | |
| CAT4 Paper Level Pre-A | |||
| Part 1 | |||
| Figure Classification | 10 minutes | 5 minutes | 30 minutes + settling time |
| Verbal Classification | 10 minutes | 5 minutes | |
| Part 2 | |||
| Number Series | 8 minutes | 5 minutes | 27 minutes + settling time |
| Figure Recognition | 9 minutes | 5 minutes | |
| CAT4 Digital Levels A-G | Test time* | Approximate time needed for instructions, examples and practice items | Approximate length of test session |
|---|---|---|---|
| Part 1 | |||
| Figure Classification | 10 minutes | 5 minutes | 30 minutes + settling time |
| Figure Matrices | 10 minutes | 5 minutes | |
| Part 2 | |||
| Verbal Classification | 8 minutes | 5 minutes | 41 minutes + settling time |
| Verbal Analogies | 8 minutes | 5 minutes | |
| Number Analogies | 10 minutes | 5 minutes | |
| Part 3 | |||
| Number Series | 8 minutes | 5 minutes | 41 minutes + settling time |
| Figure Analysis | 9 minutes | 5 minutes | |
| Figure Recognition | 9 minutes | 5 minutes | |
| *A timer appears on screen and counts down from the time allocated to each test. This cannot be overridden as the tests in CAT4 are strictly times. If a student does not reach the end of the test in the given time, the test will time out and the student will be moved to the next section or will exist the test. | |||
Essentials for paper testing
Please check the accuracy of your timer before beginning the tests.
Materials to prepare:
- An accurate stopwatch, watch or clock with a second hand or display.
- A Student Booklet for each student plus an extra copy for the administrator.
- An Answer Sheet for each student.
- An HB pencil and an eraser for each student, plus some spare HB pencils in case of breakage. Pens must not be used.
- Rough paper for the tests in the Quantitative Reasoning Battery.
Essentials for digital testing
Please check the minimum system requirements to ensure system compatibility.
Materials to prepare:
Computer, headphones and a mouse, or a tablet or laptop, fully charged and in good working order for each student.
Rough paper and pencil for the Number Analogies and Number Series tests.
Please see ‘Administering CAT4’ in the Teacher Guidance to learn more.
Find out about CAT4 Training.