CAT4 practice for the UAE. Dubai & Abu Dhabi. Free to start

CAT4 (the Cognitive Abilities Test, 4th edition) isn’t a UK-only test. A good number of British-curriculum schools across the UAE use it too. Schools such as those run by GEMS Education, and independents such as Dubai College, are the kind of school where CAT4 or a similar cognitive-ability test is common. It measures four distinct kinds of reasoning rather than what’s been taught, which is part of why it travels well between curricula and countries.

Many schools run a CAT4-style baseline soon after a child joins, commonly in the autumn term. Some re-sit it every year or two to track progress. Usage varies from school to school. If you’re not sure whether, or when, your child’s school tests, the school office is the only reliable source.

Puzzitron turns CAT4-style reasoning into short, replayable arcade runs your child can pick up whenever, wherever you’re based. Free to start, with 20 questions a day, no card and no ads. Puzzitron Plus lifts the daily limit and adds the full parent report; see pricing.

In Abu Dhabi? See CAT4 practice for Abu Dhabi schools. Applying to a school, perhaps from abroad? See CAT4 and UAE entry assessments.

What the four CAT4 batteries cover

A brief look at each battery, and what Puzzitron practises for it.

Verbal reasoning

Verbal classification (which word belongs with a group) and verbal analogies (A is to B as C is to ?). Tests how your child reasons with words, not vocabulary size or reading speed.

Quantitative reasoning

Number series and number analogies. Continue a number pattern, or find the rule linking a pair of numbers and apply it to a new pair. No curriculum maths knowledge beyond basic arithmetic is assumed.

Non-verbal reasoning

Figure classification and figure matrices. Spot the shape that fits a group, or complete the missing cell in a grid of shapes governed by a rule.

Spatial reasoning

Figure analysis (imagine paper folded then punched, then unfolded) and figure recognition (find a target shape hidden inside another). Often the battery families find least familiar.

Frequently asked

Do all British-curriculum schools in the UAE use CAT4?

No. Usage varies by school and by school group. Some schools use CAT4, some use a different cognitive-ability test, and some don't test at all. Ask your child's school directly for their own policy.

When do schools in the UAE typically test?

Many schools run a baseline test soon after a child joins, commonly in the autumn term, with some schools re-testing every year or two. This varies by school, so check with your child's school for their specific schedule.

Is this the real CAT4?

No. Puzzitron is a private practice game using the same style of reasoning question that CAT4 uses, but it's not affiliated with GL Assessment or any school named on this page. Performance on Puzzitron isn't a predictor of real CAT4 outcomes.

Is it free for families outside the UK?

Yes, to start, wherever your family is based. One child can use Puzzitron free for as long as you like, with every skill area, 20 questions a day and no card. Puzzitron Plus adds unlimited practice, every mock paper and the full parent report for up to 5 children, from £6.99 a month, or £59 for a 12-month pass paid once. If you are outside the UK, checkout shows the price in your own currency.

What ages and levels does it cover?

Ages 7–11 (roughly Year 3–6 in the British system). Difficulty ramps as your child progresses, from introductory through to Year 6 stretch, across every sub-test.

CAT4 practice for British-curriculum schools in the UAE

See real examples