Fast pyrolysis of biomass generates a complex vapor phase containing a variety of compounds, some 20 % in the form of fine aerosols. Before packed bed reactor studies could begin, it was imperative that vapor phase batch reactor studies of the catalytic upgrading of this stream be undertaken to provide a means for rapid catalyst screening under readily controlled operating conditions. A Parr batch reactor was employed in the batch studies. Bio-oil is an extremely complex mixture. Therefore, initial studies have focused on three model bio-oil compounds and also a bio-oil simulant mixture comprised of ten compounds. These ten compounds were chosen so that important functional groups present in the bio-oil were well-represented. Computer simulation was used to determine reactor charge required to achieve the vapor phase at the desired operating temperature and pressure. The impact of catalyst composition, reactor temperature, reactor pressure, and reaction time on the conversion and product distribution for each of the model bio-oil compounds and for the bio-oil simulant. Catalysts employed were acid- and base-cracking catalysts, hydrodeoxygenation catalyst and hydrogenation catalyst. Catalysts were characterized using BET, XRD and TEM.