Help your child approach reasoning questions with clear teaching, practical strategies and guided practice. Teachers give constructive feedback so children understand their mistakes and improve their approach, in person at our Dubai centre.
Since 2010 · 1,000+ students from 30+ Dubai schools.
Understanding the assessment
What is the CAT4 test?
CAT4 stands for Cognitive Abilities Test Fourth Edition. It helps schools understand how a child reasons with words, numbers, patterns and shapes, rather than testing a particular school syllabus.
Schools may use the results to understand a student's learning profile, and alongside other information in admissions. Your child's school confirms the assessment it requires, the test level and the date.
Scores are a snapshot of performance and do not determine potential. Language proficiency can also affect verbal reasoning, so we describe CAT4 as independent of a particular syllabus rather than unaffected by first language.
Words. Numbers. Patterns. Shapes.
Four ways of thinking.
Explore the four reasoning areas in CAT4 and the types of relationships each assessment looks at.
Verbal reasoning
Spotting connections between words and ideas, and finding the relationship that follows the same rule.
Verbal Classification
Verbal Analogies
Non-verbal reasoning
Comparing figures and visual patterns to find the rule they share.
Figure Classification
Figure Matrices
Quantitative reasoning
Exploring relationships between numbers and spotting the rule in a sequence or analogy.
Number Analogies
Number Series
Spatial ability
Visualising how shapes change and recognising a figure inside a more complex design.
Figure Analysis
Figure Recognition
The CAT4 programme
A focused CAT4 programme.
Each workshop covers verbal and non-verbal reasoning. Teachers explain, guide the children through practice, then review their work.
Verbal teaching blockExplanation and reasoning practice
1 hour
Non-verbal teaching blockExplanation and reasoning practice
Group workshops at our Gold & Diamond Park centre, with individual support on request.
What is included
Practice that follows the teaching.
Teacher explanations and worked examples
Clear guidance introduces each topic and models an approach.
Classwork and homework sheets
One of each for every topic, to revisit the teaching.
End-of-day practice
Practice or mock-style activities bring the day's work together and give teachers work to review.
Marking and constructive feedback
Children learn where their reasoning went wrong and what to revisit.
A follow-on for returning students
Children who have attended a previous workshop are invited to continue at the next level.
Practical strategies
Checking relationships, comparing choices and working methodically through unfamiliar questions.
Continued learning
Building on the workshop at home.
A workshop introduces useful approaches; regular reasoning activities give children the chance to apply them. Keep activities varied and ask “How did you work that out?” to understand the thinking as well as the answer.
Verbal reasoning
Read varied texts, discuss new vocabulary and try word games such as Scrabble or crosswords.
Non-verbal reasoning
Explore pattern and visual logic puzzles, jigsaws, tangrams and shape puzzles.
Quantitative reasoning
Try number puzzles such as Sudoku, cook, measure or compare prices, and explain your numerical thinking.
Spatial ability
Build with Lego or models, explore maps and direction games, or draw and use simple design apps.
Your questions, answered
CAT4 preparation questions.
Find out about the programme, what to expect and how to enquire.
Our CAT4 preparation programme is for students in Years 3 to 9. We confirm suitability using your child's age, year-group system and the assessment required by their school.
When do the workshops run?
CAT4 workshops run on an ongoing basis. Each session includes teaching in both verbal and non-verbal reasoning. Send us an enquiry and we will confirm the next available dates. These are Improve ME's workshop dates, not school testing dates.
Can my child continue after a previous workshop?
Yes. Children who have completed a previous workshop are invited to the next-level workshop as continued learning with Improve ME. New families can enquire about the most suitable entry point. "Next level" does not refer to an official GL Assessment level.
Do you offer a separate CAT4 diagnostic test?
No. We do not offer a separate initial CAT4 diagnostic. Send us your child's year group and assessment plans and we will advise on suitability.
Does a CAT4 score show my child's potential?
No. Scores are a snapshot and do not determine potential. A profile can change with maturity, learning experiences, confidence, wellbeing or fatigue. Schools consider the whole profile alongside classwork and other evidence.
Does my child's school have to take CAT4?
It depends on the school. GL Education guidance covers Dubai private schools and specified cohorts, with a 2026 testing window of 31 August to 20 November. Your school confirms its requirements, test level and date.
Is CAT4 preparation available online?
No. CAT4 preparation is delivered in person at our Dubai centre in Gold and Diamond Park.
What are the programme fees?
Please send an enquiry for the current quotation and availability. Individual support is subject to tutor availability, and its duration and fee are agreed separately. An enquiry is not a confirmed place.
Does GL Assessment recommend CAT4 coaching?
GL Assessment advises against advance CAT4 practice because it can affect the reliability of results. Improve ME's programme is independent and is not endorsed by GL Assessment. Please follow your school's assessment guidance.
Let's talk about your child
Ready to explore CAT4 preparation?
Share your child's year group, assessment plans and whether they have attended a workshop before. We will explain the programme, current fees and availability. An enquiry is not a confirmed place.
Tell us your child's year group, your school's assessment plans and any previous workshop attendance. We'll reply with workshop options, current fees and availability.
Improve ME Institute provides independent preparation. CAT4 is an assessment from GL Assessment. Our programme is not endorsed by the publisher.
