31/03/2026
What are CATs β and how should you interpret the scores?
Many parents ask me about CATs (Cognitive Ability Tests), particularly around parentsβ evening time.
Common questions include:
β’ What do these scores actually mean?
β’ Is my child doing βwellβ?
β’ How should I respond to them as a parent?
CATs are designed to assess a childβs reasoning ability β not what they have been taught, but how they think and process information.
Your childβs results are reported as a Standard Age Score (SAS), which compares them with children of the same age across the UK.
A score of 100 is average, while scores of 120+ indicate strong academic potential.
However, the most important point is this:
CATs are not labels β they are a tool.
Schools use them to:
β’ identify strengths
β’ highlight areas where support may be needed
β’ guide children towards appropriate levels of challenge
As a parent, they can help you understand:
β how your child learns
β where confidence may need building
β where greater challenge may be beneficial
If youβve recently received CATs results and would like help interpreting them, Iβm always happy to help.