Tammar, Criteria Cognitive Aptitude Test (CCAT) Expert at JobTestPrep.
Have a question? Contact me at: ask_the_team@jobtestprep.com
CCAT Test Tips
Start fast, then slow down
The questions in the CCAT test grow in difficulty as the test progresses, meaning the ones you will get in the beginning don't require as much solving time as those later on in the test. This is why working fast in the beginning will give you an edge over the competition: you will be left with more time to tackle those tricky questions in the end, and a better chance of solving them correctly.
Don't waste too much time on one question
There will always be questions you find more challenging than others, no matter how well you have prepped. Under the stress of the real test and the ticking clock, these questions can bog you down and lead to anxiety and subsequently reduced performance on your test. So when you find yourself facing a question you feel you're stuck with, simply guess and move on - this will leave you more time and mental energy for the rest of the CCAT test.
Manage expectations
This may come as a surprise, but very few people actually complete the CCAT test entirely - only one percent in fact. This is why expecting to solve all 50 questions of the CCAT will probably end up causing distress when you realize you aren't reaching that number while solving the test. While you should aim to solve as many questions as you can, don't sacrifice quality for quantity - instead make sure the answers you do submit are accurate.
Watch out for avoidable errors
While working quickly on the CCAT test should be an important part of your strategy towards reaching a high CCAT score, this doesn't mean you should be careless. Even with questions that appear very simple, always take a second to review your answer - this will prevent you from losing points over avoidable mistakes such as marking the wrong option, or misreading the question.
Read the questions carefully
Some CCAT questions are meant to send you in the wrong direction, making you confidently mark an answer that appears correct but isn't. Pay close attention to the wording of the instructions and the information in the question to ensure you understand what is required of you.
Use scrap paper
Certain questions in the CCAT test such as abstract reasoning and logical reasoning are meant to overload your brain, requiring you to remember numerous factors simultaneously. To relieve this mental overload, write down the parts of the question you have already figured out. This will allow you to free valuable mental resources and move forward toward the answer.
Get used to working without a calculator
Calculators are not permitted when solving the CCAT test, so don't use them when preparing either. Instead, get yourself used to calculating on your trusty piece of scrap paper so that it's natural to you when the actual test day comes.
Guess!
If you don't know the answer to a question or realize you have spent too long figuring it out already, it is always best to guess. Since the questions are multiple choice you have always got a fairly good chance of guessing the right answer, and since you getting an answer wrong is the same as not answering the question, you have nothing to lose!
Prepare for the CCAT Test
Preparing for the CCAT test requires dedication and perseverance, and on top of reading CCAT test tips it is vital to get to know the types of questions you will face and experience first hand what it is like to solve an entire test.
Now that you have gone over our CCAT tips, continue your prep journey by visiting our Main CCAT Page, or our free CCAT practice test. Good luck!
