Criteria Cognitive Aptitude Test (CCAT): The Definitive Practice Guide

Shlomik, CCAT test expert at JobTestPrep.

Have a question? Contact me at: ask_shlomik@jobtestprep.com

A Comprehensive Guide to the Criteria Cognitive Aptitude Test

What to Expect on the Actual Test?

The CCAT includes 50 verbal reasoning, spatial reasoning (abstract), and math and logic questions to be answered in 15 minutes, leaving only 18 seconds per question.

But what is the exact order of the question types? Which questions should you expect at the beginning and which ones are last?

JobTestPrep analyzed dozens of CCAT demo versions provided by Criteria (the test provider), as well as documentation made by previous test-takers.

The image below shows a detailed breakdown of the actual exam's questions so that you’ll know exactly what to expect and eliminate the element of surprise:

 
Each of the 4 main question types is made up of several different subjects:

• Numerical Reasoning - The CCAT math questions are comprised of basic math, word problems, number series, graphs & tables, and ratios.
• Verbal Reasoning - The CCAT verbal questions include analogies, synonym / antonyms, sentence completions, attention to detail, and vocabulary questions. 
• Spatial Reasoning and Logical Reasoning - The CCAT spatial reasoning questions include shape series, matrices, and odd-one-out. The Logical questions include syllogisms and seating arrangements. 

Although the questions are challenging enough on their own, the time-limit is probably the most challenging element of the CCAT. To make sure you answer questions both efficiently and correctly, meticulous practice is the way to go.

The CCAT measures your critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and core cognitive ability. Other pre-employment assessments that measure similar abilities are the Wonderlic test and the PI Cognitive Assessment.

CCAT Sample Questions 

In this section, we will go over real test questions from our CCAT preparation pack.

Read the question carefully, and choose the correct answer to reveal the full answer.

A third of the questions in our six full CCAT practice tests are verbal reasoning questions, and with 14 additional practice tests, our PrepPack has you covered. It will improve your ability to answer analogy, synonym / antonym, and sentence completion questions quickly and accurately, while also broadening your vocabulary. 

Abstract Reasoning Practice Question

Which of the following boxes should replace the question mark (?) to complete the pattern?

 

A

B

C

D

E

Correct Answer

Incorrect Answer

The correct answer is A.

Every column contains two shapes. The left column contains a triangle and a circle, the middle column contains a circle and a square, and the right column contains a square and a triangle. Down the column, one shape increases in size while another shape decreases in size. Take a look at the right column. The triangle becomes progressively smaller as the square becomes progressively bigger. Therefore, the answer-option will have a small triangle inside a large square. Eliminate answer-option D, since it is missing a large square.

Additionally, in each row, each shape of the same size is of a different color. In the bottom row, there is a small, white circle and a small, black square. Therefore, the answer-option will contain a small, gray triangle. You can eliminate answer-options B and E. Furthermore, in the bottom row, there is a large, black triangle, and a large gray, circle. Therefore, the answer-option will contain a large, white square. Eliminate answer-option C and you are left with answer-option A as the correct answer.

In addition to around 100 Abstract/Spatial and Logical reasoning practice questions in our CCAT practice tests, we offer 31 additional specialized practice tests for every type of question.

With our PrepPack, your ability to identify patterns in abstract information will grow so that spatial reasoning questions immediately become less intimidating. The abundant practice and thorough explanations you will get for the Logical Reasoning section will help you solve syllogism, letter series, and seating arrangement questions both quickly and efficiently. 

A third of the questions in the six CCAT practice tests we offer are numerical reasoning questions, and with dozens of additional practice tests and study guides, your numerical reasoning skills will be on point.

Our PrepPack will help you brush up your math skills, and teach you how to solve word problems and number series with ease, while also showing you how to quickly extract the relevant information from graphs and tables.

Check out this video we've made that goes over additional common question types and other information you'll find useful:

How to Prepare for the Test

The CCAT aptitude test pits you against a variety of challenging questions, and with a very tight time-limit to consider, it's easy to get overwhelmed and miss out on the score you're aiming for.

That's why JobTestPrep created three effective practice options that any candidate would find helpful:

• Free CCAT Practice Test - 24 questions with full explanations, tips, and hacks.
• CCAT Questions and Answers PDF - Printable version with sample questions, useful explanations, and inside tips.
• Full CCAT Preparation Pack - 6 years of research and 23,000+ customer feedback packed into one thorough prep course. It includes full-length, timed simulation tests, additional practice exercises, study guides, and everything you need to ace the CCAT.

 See how the preparation pack looks inside:

CCAT Scores Guide

The following are the raw score ranges given by Criteria Corp., creator of the Criteria Cognitive Ability Test. This will help you better understand what should be your desired score.

The full list of positions can be found in this official sample report

We Analyzed the CCAT Scores of 23,139 of Our Customers - Here's What We Discovered

The average CCAT score on JobTestPrep's first full-length simulation was 26, slightly above the average of the actual test.

As the customers progressed and took more full-length simulations, their scores improved gradually.

The average score on the last simulation was 33 (a 27% improvement), which places them in the top 20% for almost any position.

To get a more in-depth understanding of the CCAT scores (including the CCAT average score, passing scores, and more), check out the full CCAT Scores Guide.

Which Employers Use the CCAT?

Here are some of the leading employers who use the CCAT pre-employment test:

• Vista Equity Partners - this company is perhaps the biggest CCAT exam enthusiast, and every employee of Vista Equity Partners or any of its subsidiaries is required to take the test. 
• Crossover – the Texan tech company is another major employer using the assessment.
• Lambda School – The online coding school that allows students to defer tuition until employment uses the test to screen candidates.

 Other companies that use the assessment are:

• Finastra
• Tibco
• Powerschool
• Vertafore
• Aptean
• Cvent
• EAB
• Infoblox
• Hirebridge
• ICIMS / Mindbody
• And hundreds of others around the globe...

Most companies give you only one chance to pass the test, so it’s not recommended to take it unprepared.

About the Author:

Shlomik is JobTestPrep's CCAT Test specialist. He has a vast experience in instructional design and deep knowledge of pre-employment assessment tests. Shlomik has led JobTestPrep's efforts to provide thousands of CCAT test-takers with the most accurate online prep possible since 2016. You can contact him at

ask_shlomik@jobtestprep.com

 
Read more about Shlomik's courses.