Is your child applying to a top private school in Dallas or Houston? Then the CATS test (Collaborative Academic Testing Service) could be the key to unlocking that opportunity, and you don’t want to leave their success up to chance.
What is the CATS Test?
Administered by a licensed psychologist, the CATS test is required by many elite private schools as part of their admissions process. It’s not an academic test — it’s a cognitive assessment designed to measure your child’s reasoning and intellectual abilities. That means it evaluates how your child thinks, solves problems, and processes information — skills schools consider essential for long-term academic success.
For the 2025–2026 school year, many of the most sought-after Dallas-area schools require the CATS test for admissions:
Dallas Area Private Schools that Give the CATS Test for Admissions
- The Covenant School (K-4)
- The Episcopal School of Dallas (PK-4)
- Good Shepherd Episcopal School (K-1)
- Greenhill School (PK-1)
- Lamplighter (PK-4)
- Parish Episcopal School (K-1)
- St. Mark’s School of Texas (1-4)
- The Hockaday School (PK-1)
- Trinity Christian Academy (PK-4)
- Wesley Prep (K-4)
School | Grades The CATS Test is Given | Description |
|---|---|---|
| The Covenant School | K-4 | In a Christian environment, young minds are nurtured through a strong academic program. Additionally, there is an emphasis on character development and community service. |
| The Episcopal School of Dallas | PK-4 | A coeducational preparatory school promotes academic excellence, character development, and leadership. It does so within a nurturing and diverse community. |
| Good Shepherd Episcopal School | K-1 | Offers a foundation in essential learning concepts, prioritizing academic rigor and spiritual growth within an Episcopal tradition. |
| Greenhill School | PK-1 | Integrates a challenging curriculum with the development of personal and social responsibility. This educational approach emphasizes diversity, inclusivity, and robust co-curricular activities. |
| Lamplighter | PK-4 | Offers an innovative educational program in a nurturing environment with a curriculum focused on intellectual growth and practical life skills. |
| Parish Episcopal School | K-1 | Promotes a love of learning in its students. Additionally, it embraces Christian values, fostering a close-knit community and a strong commitment to academic excellence. |
| St. Mark’s School of Texas | 1-4 | A boys’ school focused on academic excellence, integrity, a sense of responsibility, extracurricular activities, and character building. |
| The Hockaday School | PK-1 | An all-girls institution providing a rigorous, college-preparatory education with strong arts, academics, and athletics programs in a supportive, inclusive environment. |
| Trinity Christian Academy | PK-4 | A Christian academy nurturing students’ academic and spiritual growth, promoting community, character building, and leadership skills development. |
| Wesley Prep | K-4 | Provides an academically challenging and spiritually enriching curriculum, prioritizing a nurturing learning environment and strong moral values. |
Houston Area Private Schools that Give the CATS Test for Admissions
- Annunciation Orthodox School (PK-6)
- Awty International School (PK-5)
- Duchesne Academy of the Sacred Heart (PK-4)
- First Baptist Academy (1-4)
- The John Cooper School (PK-4)
- Regis School (K-4)
- River Oaks Baptist School (PK-4)
- St. John’s School (K-4)
- St. Mark’s Episcopal School (K-4)
- St. Thomas’ Episcopal School (PK-4)
School | Grades The CATS Test is Given | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Annunciation Orthodox School | PK-6 | Rooted in Greek Orthodox values, it offers a holistic education that emphasizes a strong focus on academics, the arts, and athletics. |
| Awty International School | PK-5 | An international school offers either a dual program of study in French and English or a Spanish-immersion program. Furthermore, the school places a strong emphasis on promoting global learning and fostering cultural understanding. |
| Duchesne Academy of the Sacred Heart | PK-4 | An all-girls school, serving preschool to fourth graders, follows the Sacred Heart tradition, emphasizing academics and character development. |
| First Baptist Academy | 1-4 | A Christian school that emphasizes academic excellence, moral values, and spiritual growth from first to fourth grade. |
| The John Cooper School | PK-4 | An independent, non-sectarian school provides a challenging curriculum for preschool to fourth-grade students. This curriculum is designed to promote both intellectual growth and character development. |
| Regis School | K-4 | A Catholic boys’ school that focuses on moral and academic development, service learning, and leadership skills. |
| River Oaks Baptist School | PK-4 | A Christian school that integrates a challenging curriculum with character development and spiritual growth for preschool to fourth-grade students. |
| St. John’s School | K-4 | Known for its challenging academics, comprehensive arts program, and commitment to character development from kindergarten to fourth grade. |
| St. Mark’s Episcopal School | K-4 | Fosters an environment of inclusivity and respect, promoting a love of learning, spiritual growth, and a commitment to community service. |
What Does the CATS Test Cover?
Depending on your child’s age, they may take one of the following:
WPPSI (Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence) – for children ages 2:6 to 7:7
WISC (Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children) – for children ages 6:0 to 16:11
These assessments don’t test what your child has learned in school — they assess how your child thinks. That includes skills like:
Verbal comprehension and vocabulary
Visual-spatial reasoning
Working memory
Processing speed
Fluid reasoning
In some cases, schools may also use additional academic-based assessments under the CATS umbrella to evaluate reading comprehension, math, science, and writing abilities.
Why Preparation Matters — Even for a Cognitive Test
While you can’t “study” for the CATS in the traditional sense, you can absolutely help your child feel confident and ready with the right kind of practice. Most children have never taken a one-on-one cognitive test before, and unfamiliarity alone can hurt their performance.
At TestingMom.com, we provide targeted CATS prep materials and practice tools designed to:
- ✅ Familiarize your child with the structure and types of questions they’ll face
✅ Build confidence through practice in a fun, low-stress way
✅ Help your child get comfortable with working independently
✅ Give you peace of mind knowing they’re prepared
Don’t Wait — Competition is Fierce
Admissions into top private schools in Dallas and Houston are highly competitive. Giving your child a head start with CATS practice is one of the smartest moves you can make.
Start now with 100 free practice questions designed to introduce your child to the format and skills required for CATS success.
Free WPPSI Sample Practice Test Questions that May Appear on the CATS
Matrix Reasoning
Parents Say: “Look at the pictures in the four boxes. Do you see how the pictures at the top relate to each other in some way? Now, look at the picture in the box on the bottom next to the empty box. Choose the picture from the last row that goes in the empty box so that the pictures on the bottom go together in the same way as the pictures on top.”
![](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,<svg height="276px" width="575px" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" version="1.1"/>)
Answer: 1st bubble
Information
(Read the question out loud. Have your child point to the answer.)
Which person is telling a secret?
![](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,<svg height="263px" width="594px" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" version="1.1"/>)
Answer: bottom left
Free WISC Sample Practice Test Questions:
Arithmetic
Jenny bought the pizza you see in the first box and ate half of it. Which picture shows how much pizza remained after she ate it?
![](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,<svg height="189px" width="591px" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" version="1.1"/>)
Answer: 1st bubble
Visual Puzzles
Parent, say to your child: “Look at the shape on top. That is a completed puzzle. Choose the three pieces below that combine to complete the puzzle.”
![](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,<svg height="214px" width="482px" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" version="1.1"/>)
Answer: 2, 4, 5
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