How To Do Well On The CAT4 Entrance Exams (Quantitative Reasoning)
- Dickson Wong
- Jan 14
- 7 min read
The CAT4 (Cognitive Abilities Test) is unlike any traditional school exam. It doesn’t ask you to remember facts, dates, or definitions — instead, it measures how you think. It’s designed to reveal your potential for learning, not just what you already know.
Among its four key sections — Verbal Reasoning, Non-Verbal Reasoning, Spatial Ability, and Quantitative Reasoning — the quantitative part can often feel the most daunting. Numbers, patterns, and logic swirl together, testing how well you can spot relationships and solve problems quickly.
But doing well in CAT4 Quantitative Reasoning isn’t about being a mathematical genius; it’s about understanding patterns, practising smartly, and building good problem-solving habits. So, whether you’re preparing for a grammar school, selective UK independent school, here are five tips to help you approach the CAT4 Quantitative Reasoning section.
Tip #1: Understand the Format
The first step in mastering the CAT4 Quantitative Reasoning section is simple: understand exactly what you’ll face on the test. When you know the structure, question types, and time limits, you remove the fear of the unknown and replace it with clarity. CAT4 Quantitative Reasoning focuses on numerical relationships and patterns. You’ll be asked to look at sets of numbers and determine the rule that connects them.
The Quantitative Reasoning is split into Number Series and Number Analogies. In Number Series, you’ll have to answer 18 questions answered in 8 minutes, which works out to be 26 seconds per question; in Number Series, you’ll have to answer 18 questions answered in 10 minutes, which works out to be 20 seconds per question. In Number Series, you’ll see a list of numbers (and must find the next one in the pattern. For example, 2, 4, 8, 16, the next one would be 32. In number analogies, you’ll need to find the relationship between the first two pairs of numbers and apply it to the third pair. For example, 10:100; 30:300; so 70 is to 700.
Before you start practising, familiarise yourself with a few sample papers or online CAT4 simulations. Try to get comfortable with the way questions are worded and how the test and timer is presented on screen. The CAT4 is taken on a computer, and you’ll click to select answers from multiple-choice options. This means you don’t need to do heavy written work — but you do need to think quickly and clearly. It helps to have a pencil and scrap paper to jot down simple calculations.
Tip #2: Practise Pattern Recognition
To mastering CAT4 Quantitative Reasoning, one has to learn to spot patterns in numbers. Every single question in this section is built around one simple idea: there’s a rule connecting those numbers, and your job is to find it.
At first, the numbers may seem random, for example 2, 6, 12, 20, 30 — but look closer, and you’ll start to notice something familiar. The differences between them are 4, 6, 8, 10, which forms their own pattern. Once you spot it, you unlock the logic. The next difference should be 12, meaning the next number in the sequence is 42. That’s the art of pattern recognition: seeing through the chaos to find the rhythm.
There are different types of patterns, such as Arithmetic Sequences, Geometric Sequences, Alternating Patterns, Square or Cube Numbers, all of them following a different rule that explains how the numbers behave. The more you expose yourself to it, the more fluent you become. Here are 2 strategies that could work:
• Talk Through the Pattern Aloud - When you say what’s happening — “It’s going up by 4 each time” or “It doubles and then adds 1” — you activate both your verbal and logical thinking. This strengthens memory and comprehension.
• Write It Out - Use a notebook to jot down the changes between numbers. Even small notes like “+3, +6, +9” can help you visually see the rule clearer.
Tip #3: Take the “Steady and Often” Approach
You can’t build Rome in one day, an neither can you master the CAT4 Quantitative Reasoning. The key is not to study for long, exhausting stretches, but to practise regularly, in short, focused bursts. Your brain loves patterns, but it also learns best with repetition over time. That’s what psychologists call “spaced practice” — revising in small sessions that give your mind time to rest, reset, and retain information.
Here’s what that looks like in action:
• Start early. Your brain is a muscle so it requires time and regular practise for anything new to sink in. It also gives time to identify weaknesses one by one and spend extra time improving those areas systematically.
• Practise 15–30 minutes a day. Choose one question type each day — maybe sequences on Monday, analogies on Tuesday, mixed practice on Wednesday.
• Review your mistakes. Don’t just move on when you get something wrong. Revisit and re-attempt it. Ask yourself why the answer works.
• Rest your brain. Take short breaks between practice sessions. Go for a walk, have a snack, or switch to a different activity.
This “steady and often” approach builds not just knowledge, but confidence. You’ll begin to trust your intuition because you’ll know that your practice has trained your brain to think logically and calmly. Remember: It’s not about perfection. It’s about progress. Every small session adds up. Every pattern you crack builds your momentum.
Tip #4: Manage Your Time
Sometimes the challenges in the CAT4 Quantitative Reasoning section isn’t the content — it’s the clock. You have around 23 seconds per question, and every second counts. That’s why one time management skill is also crucial. Learn how to pace yourself — and when to move on.
Here’s a simple rule: don’t get stuck on one question. If a number sequence feels confusing, skip it and come back later. There’s no penalty for leaving a question and returning later. In fact, coming back with fresh eyes often helps you see the solution. The odds are if you needed to spend that much time solving the question you probably won’t be getting it right anyways, you might as well use those precious time on the questions after that you might be able to solve faster.
When you practise, time yourself. Start by giving yourself a generous limit — maybe two minutes per question. Gradually reduce that to one minute as you get faster. Then eventually reduce it to the time you will actually have in the actual test. This helps you develop an instinctive rhythm: scan, think, solve, move on.
Another technique is to estimate first. Before diving into calculations, look for general trends. Are the numbers getting bigger or smaller? Doubling or halving? That first impression can often point you in the right direction and save you trying multiple operations.
In short, it’s about finding the perfect balance between speed and accuracy. Rushing leads to mistakes, but overthinking leads to lost time. The sweet spot lies in being deliberate, but decisive — quick, but careful.
Tip #5: Reflect, Review, and Refine
The final tip for doing well in the CAT4 Quantitative Reasoning section is to learn from every mistake. When you practise, it’s tempting to move on quickly after getting an answer wrong. But each mistake is a message. It tells you where your understanding is unclear, where your process broke down, or where you rushed.
Take time to review your answers after every session. Ask yourself:
• Did I misread the question?
• Did I miss a simple rule?
• Was I distracted or overthinking?
Keep a revision log — a simple notebook or spreadsheet where you record the types of mistakes you make most often. Over time, patterns will emerge. Maybe you struggle most with alternating patterns or fraction-based relationships. Knowing that gives you a clear direction for improvement.
You can also track your progress by writing down your scores after each session. Seeing your improvement, even in small steps, can be incredibly motivating. For online learning platform, this is done automatically, so you can review your scores, time taken to answer each question, strengths and weaknesses, and suggested target area for further practise with no effort on your behalf.
And most importantly — celebrate your wins! Every time you spot a tricky pattern, solve a tough question, or shave a few seconds off your time, acknowledge it. Confidence grows when effort is recognised.
So to summarise, CAT4 Quantitative Reasoning section can seem challenging, but it’s not a test of how “good” you are at maths — it’s a test of how well you can think. And that’s a skill you can develop with practice, patience, and purpose.
Let’s recap the five key tips:
1. Understand the Format – Learn the structure and question types so nothing in the test feels unfamiliar.
2. Practise Pattern Recognition – Train your brain to spot relationships and rules between numbers.
3. Take the “Steady and Often” Approach – Build confidence through regular, focused practice sessions.
4. Manage Your Time – Work efficiently; know when to solve and when to skip.
5. Reflect, Review, and Refine – Turn mistakes into progress and track your growth over time.
Remember: you don’t need to be the fastest or the smartest — you just need to be prepared and persistent. Each question you practise strengthens your mind. Each mistake you review sharpens your understanding. And each small success moves you closer to your goal.
Are you ready to unleash your full potential through consistent practice? The choice is yours, and the possibilities are endless. Start today and pave the way for a brighter academic future! Stay Connected with Dickson!
For additional study tips, resources, and updates, visit my website (dwtutoring.com) and connect with me on social media. Together we can create a community of passionate tutors and learners striving to achieving academic excellence.
For more inspiration and guidance on your academic journey, follow me on
-Instagram (dwtutoring)
-Tiktok (www.tiktok.com/@dwtutoring)
Let us elevate our learning together and strive for greatness!
Comments