09 Jul 2026 6 min read

CAT4 Levels A, B and C UAE 2026 — Primary School Preparation Guide for Ages 7 to 12

Q: Which UAE schools use CAT4 Levels A, B, and C?

CAT4 Levels A, B, and C are designed for younger students (ages 7.5-11.5) and are typically used by UAE British curriculum schools for: early primary school admissions (Year 2 or Year 3 entry at some selective schools); internal streaming and setting within primary school (used by schools to understand learning profiles, not just for entry); and gifted and talented identification in primary years. Schools that use CAT4 across multiple year groups include some GEMS schools, Brighton College Dubai, Repton Dubai (for entry below Year 7), and various Abu Dhabi British curriculum schools. Always confirm with the specific school which CAT4 Level is used for which year group.

Q: What is the difference between CAT4 Levels A, B, and C?

CAT4 Levels A, B, and C cover the same four batteries (Verbal, Quantitative, Non-Verbal, and Spatial Reasoning) but at age-appropriate difficulty. Level A is for ages 7.5-9.5 (approximately Year 3-4). Level B is for ages 8.5-10.5 (approximately Year 4-5). Level C is for ages 9.5-11.5 (approximately Year 5-6). Each level has simpler versions of the same four question batteries — simpler vocabulary in Verbal Reasoning, smaller numbers in Quantitative Reasoning, less complex shapes in Non-Verbal Reasoning, and less demanding spatial tasks in Spatial Reasoning. The scoring (SAS 69-141) and percentile interpretation are identical across all levels.

Q: Is CAT4 Level C different from Level D?

Yes. CAT4 Level C (ages 9.5-11.5, approximately Year 5-6) and Level D (ages 10.5-12.5, approximately Year 6-7) overlap in the Year 6 age range but Level D is harder. Level D covers the same question types but with more advanced vocabulary in Verbal Reasoning, more complex number patterns in Quantitative Reasoning, and more difficult spatial tasks including 3D rotation questions that Level C does not include. A student sitting Level D who should be sitting Level C will find the assessment more difficult than appropriate for their age, which can reduce the assessment's accuracy for them.

Q: What Verbal Reasoning content appears in CAT4 Levels A, B, C?

CAT4 Levels A, B, and C Verbal Reasoning includes: verbal classification (which word belongs to the same group as the others?), verbal analogies (puppy is to dog as kitten is to ___), odd one out (simpler vocabulary at Level A, harder at Level C), and sentence completion at some levels (choosing the word that best completes the sentence). The vocabulary is calibrated to the typical reading level of the target age group — Level A uses everyday primary vocabulary; Level C uses vocabulary approaching Year 6 reading level.

Q: How long is a CAT4 assessment at Levels A, B, or C?

CAT4 Level A, B, and C assessments are shorter than Levels D and E because they are designed for younger students with shorter concentration spans. A typical Level A-C assessment: four batteries, each approximately 8-10 minutes, with a short break between batteries. Total testing time approximately 40-50 minutes plus instructions and practice questions. The assessment is computer-based in most UAE school settings. Students who have not sat a computer-based test before should be given practice sessions with the testing interface before the actual assessment.

CAT4 Levels A, B and C UAE 2026

CAT4 Levels A, B, and C target younger primary school students — ages 7 to 12. While most UAE tutoring content focuses on CAT4 Level D and E (the levels used for Year 7 entry to selective British curriculum schools), the lower levels are used by many UAE schools for Year 2-5 admissions, internal streaming, and gifted and talented identification. This guide covers the specific features of each lower level, the age-appropriate question content, and how to prepare younger children effectively.

CAT4 Level Overview — Matching Level to Age and Year Group

CAT4 Level	Age Range	Year Group Equivalent	Typical UAE School Use
Level X	Age 6	Year 1-2	Rarely used for admissions; primarily school-internal assessment
Level Y	Age 7-8	Year 2-3	Early primary school entry assessments at some selective UAE schools
Level Pre-A / A	Ages 7.5-9.5	Year 3-4	Year 3-4 entry; internal ability assessments; gifted identification
Level B	Ages 8.5-10.5	Year 4-5	Year 4-5 entry; internal streaming; some school transition assessments
Level C	Ages 9.5-11.5	Year 5-6	Year 5-6 admissions; preparation year for Level D (Year 7 entry)
Level D	Ages 10.5-12.5	Year 6-7	Most UAE Year 7 school admissions — covered in Edflik existing guides
Level E	Ages 11.5-13.5	Year 7-8	Year 8 entry at some UAE schools — covered in Edflik existing guides

What Changes at Lower Levels — A vs D Comparison

Battery	CAT4 Level A (age 7.5-9.5)	CAT4 Level D (age 10.5-12.5)
Verbal Reasoning	Simple everyday vocabulary; shorter sentences; clear group categories in classification	Complex vocabulary; abstract analogies; category groups that require broader knowledge
Quantitative Reasoning	Single-digit number analogies; simple arithmetic sequences; smaller number ranges	Multi-step number patterns; ratio and proportion elements; larger number sequences
Non-Verbal Reasoning	Simple shape sequences with 1-2 variables changing; figure classification with obvious categories	Complex matrices with multiple simultaneous rules; subtle spatial pattern changes
Spatial Reasoning	Basic 2D shape combinations; simple reflections; no 3D rotation at Level A	Full 3D rotation; cube nets; complex spatial pattern sequences

Preparing a Primary-Age Child for CAT4 — Age-Specific Considerations

For Level A Children (Ages 7.5-9.5)

Preparation at Level A is fundamentally about familiarisation rather than intensive drilling. The key considerations for this age group:

• Computer-based test experience: Many Year 3 children in UAE have limited experience with computer-based testing. Ensuring the child can use a mouse or trackpad comfortably, read questions from a screen, and understand how to select and confirm an answer is more important than subject-specific preparation at this age.

• Short session lengths: Preparation sessions for 7-9 year olds should be maximum 15-20 minutes, multiple times per week — not 45-minute intensive sessions. Concentration at this age is genuinely limited.

• Verbal Reasoning through reading: Wide reading (stories, information books, comics) builds the vocabulary and language awareness that Verbal Reasoning tests at Level A. Explicit VR question practice should begin 4-6 weeks before the assessment.

For Level B Children (Ages 8.5-10.5)

Level B preparation can begin to include more structured question type practice — typically 20-30 minutes per session:

• Quantitative Reasoning at Level B: Number analogies at Level B use addition, subtraction, multiplication, and simple division rules. Ensure times tables are secure (at minimum to 10×10) before beginning QR practice — children who cannot quickly recall table facts struggle with QR number analogies.

• Non-Verbal Reasoning introduction: Level B NVR introduces figure matrices (2×2 and 3×3 grids). Systematic approach: identify one rule at a time — look at what changes across each row, then across each column.

For Level C Children (Ages 9.5-11.5)

Level C is the most structured preparation tier — children are at Year 5-6 level and can engage with more sustained focused practice:

• Level C as a gateway to Level D: Many Year 6 students in UAE will eventually sit Level D (for Year 7 entry). Preparing well for Level C in Year 5 gives children a year of accumulated familiarity with CAT4 question types that significantly reduces the novelty of Level D when it matters.

• All four batteries at Level C: Level C includes all four batteries with meaningful difficulty. Spatial Reasoning at Level C includes basic 2D shape combinations and reflections — the foundation for the 3D rotation that appears at Level D. Starting Spatial Reasoning practice at Level C builds the spatial vocabulary needed for Level D.

The Most Effective Home Preparation Activities by CAT4 Level

Activity	Best for Level	Why It Helps
Daily reading (stories, information books)	All levels — especially A and B	Builds vocabulary for Verbal Reasoning; improves reading speed
Mental arithmetic (times tables, number bonds)	B and C especially	Direct foundation for Quantitative Reasoning number patterns
Block building (LEGO, K'nex, wooden blocks)	A — physical 3D activity	Develops spatial reasoning sense before formal Spatial Reasoning practice
Jigsaw puzzles	A and B	Non-Verbal Reasoning spatial pattern recognition; 2D shape relationships
Tangram puzzles	B and C	2D shape combination — direct preparation for Spatial Reasoning Level B-C
Structured VR/QR/NVR workbook practice	C especially; B from 6 weeks before assessment	Builds question-type familiarity and timing

EdFlik CAT4 preparation covers Levels A through G, including age-appropriate sessions for younger children. Primary school CAT4 preparation is structured for shorter sessions with interactive engagement appropriate for 7-11 year olds. From AED 60 per session. Free diagnostic. Book at www.edflik.com or WhatsApp +91 88788 96600.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Which UAE schools use CAT4 Levels A, B, and C?

Schools using CAT4 for primary admissions or internal streaming — including some GEMS schools, Brighton College, Repton, and Abu Dhabi British curriculum schools. Always confirm with the specific school which level is used for which year group entry.

Q: What is the difference between CAT4 Levels A, B, and C?

Same four batteries (Verbal, Quantitative, Non-Verbal, Spatial) at age-appropriate difficulty. Level A (ages 7.5-9.5): simple vocabulary and 2D shapes only. Level B (ages 8.5-10.5): moderate complexity. Level C (ages 9.5-11.5): approaching Level D difficulty; foundation for Year 7 preparation. SAS scoring (69-141) is identical across all levels.

Q: Is CAT4 Level C different from Level D?

Yes — Level C (Year 5-6 equivalent) is easier than Level D (Year 6-7 equivalent). Level D adds harder vocabulary, complex number patterns, and 3D rotation questions not present in Level C. A Year 6 student sitting Level D for the first time finds it harder than Level C.

Q: What Verbal Reasoning content appears in CAT4 Levels A, B, C?

Verbal classification, verbal analogies, and odd one out — with age-appropriate vocabulary. Level A uses everyday primary vocabulary; Level C uses Year 6 reading-level vocabulary.

Q: How long is a CAT4 assessment at Levels A, B, or C?

Approximately 40-50 minutes total (four batteries at approximately 8-10 minutes each, plus instructions and practice questions). Shorter than Levels D-G because younger children have shorter concentration spans.