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

Arbel, CCAT test expert at JobTestPrep.

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

Comprehensive Guide to the Criteria Cognitive Aptitude Test

The CCAT is a cognitive ability test that measures your critical thinking and problem-solving skills using 50 verbal reasoning, spatial reasoning (abstract), math, and logic questions. These questions must be answered in a 15-minute time limit, leaving only 18 seconds per question.

The CCAT is taken on Criteria's On Demand Assessment platform, a designated testing platform for all of Criteria's assessments.

Check the following video to see the most common question types that appear on the test and how to solve them efficiently:

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The CCAT Test Questions Order

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.

The questions on the test appear in this specific and fixed order. In JobTestPrep's practice pack, the full simulations are given in the same order as the real test. 

Now, let's see a quick overview of the four question types, plus a sample question for each type:

CCAT Numerical Reasoning Questions

The CCAT math questions include basic math, word problems, number series, graphs and tables, and ratios. 

You are not permitted to use a calculator when taking the CCAT. Therefore, avoid using it while practicing. Instead, try to make calculations on scrap paper or, even better, use shortcut solving techniques (and save precious time).

Go to our CCAT math questions guide for additional practice questions and CCAT prep tips.

CCAT Verbal Reasoning Questions

The CCAT verbal questions include analogies, synonym / antonyms, sentence completions, attention to detail, and vocabulary questions. 

Visit our CCAT verbal questions page for more sample questions for each question type and helpful practice tips.

CCAT Spatial Reasoning Questions

The CCAT spatial reasoning (abstract) questions include shape series, matrices, and odd-one-out.

CCAT Abstract Reasoning Sample Question

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

 

A

B

C

D

E

Correct Answer

Incorrect Answer

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.

Check our CCAT spatial reasoning questions guide for additional practice questions and solving tips for each question type.

CCAT Logic Questions

The CCAT logical questions include syllogisms and seating arrangements. 

Go to our CCAT logic questions page for additional sample questions with full explanations and solving tips.

To take our free CCAT practice test that includes 20 questions covering math, verbal, abstract, and logic questions, visit this page on our site.

4 CCAT Tips to Help You Score Higher

1. Work fast in the beginning and slow down later

   The questions in the CCAT assessment increase in difficulty throughout the test, so try to leave yourself some extra time for the more tricky questions towards the end. 

2. Watch out for avoidable errors
   

   While working fast on the first questions could help give you the competitive edge you need, it can also lead to unnecessary mistakes - so take a second to review your answer before moving on. 

3. Don't waste too much time on one question
   

   There will always be a question that you don't get and find yourself wasting time on. In these cases, the best option is to guess and move on. Good time management is one of the most vital tools you will gain with the full CCAT Prep Pack.

4. Don't worry if you don't solve all 50 questions
   

   Surprisingly, you are not expected to solve all 50 questions. Less than 1% of the population does. It's better to spend a bit more time on each question and get 40 questions right than speed through 50 questions and only get 30 correct.

Check our CCAT FAQ page to get answers to the most common questions asked by CCAT test-takers.

Why Choose JobTestPrep As Your CCAT Test Prep Resource

JobTestPrep has been researching the Criteria Cognitive Aptitude Test since 2016, and it's the first test prep company that has provided preparation materials for this exam. Here are a few other reasons that might help you decide:

• The full-length practice simulations were not made by guesswork. They are almost identical to the actual exam (with small differences due to copyrights) as they are based on official demo versions provided by Criteria Corp and thousands of reviews from our customers (since 2016).
• The explanations for each practice question were created and reviewed by psychometric test instructors and tutors, to ensure that each explanation is clear and helpful.
• The practice pack was updated in 2022, to improve the learning experience and make it as useful as possible. Many candidates feel their test-taking skills are rusty. So, we created practice sessions that gradually increase in difficulty level, so that you build your abilities and confidence as you go.
• JobTestPrep was founded in 1992, and it's here to stay. We provide our customers with 24/7 customer service (phone and email) and a money-back guarantee if the exam differs from our practice simulations.

Cognitive Ability Tests

Cognitive ability tests such as the CCAT test come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and might differ in their format, length, difficulty, and time limit.

Despite the differences between them, cognitive ability tests all measure the same main areas that reflect the candidates capabilities: verbal reasoning, numerical reasoning, logical reasoning, and abstract reasoning. The cognitive ability tests are multiple choice, usually have a tight time, and contain between 20-50 questions of varying difficulty. 

The reason cognitive ability tests have become such popular tools in the hiring process of many leading employers is that they are excellent predictors of future job success. This is because the areas that are measured can indicate a candidate's ability to solve problems and think critically. Just like the CCAT test, cognitive ability tests need to be prepared for extensively. 

At JobTestPrep, we have created free cognitive ability practice tests especially designed to match the most popular test providers formats - to help you sharpen your skills and save time when answering these challenging tests.

Check out our free Wonderlic Practice Test, Predictive Index Cognitive Ability Practice Test, and General Cognitive Ability Practice Test - all complete with full answers and solving tips. 

Hirebridge Cognitive Assessment 

Hirebridge is a leading applicant tracking platform, and a partner of Criteria Corp, the CCAT test providers. The combination of the advanced Hirebridge technology and Criteria's psychometric test expertise is a central factor to the CCAT test being one of the leading cognitive ability assessments available. 

CCAT Scores Guide

The following are the raw score ranges given by Criteria Corp., the Criteria Cognitive Ability Test creator. This will help you better understand what should be your desired passing score. CCAT's raw scores are calculated as the number of questions you answer correctly.

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

To get a more in-depth understanding of the CCAT scores (including the CCAT average scores, percentile score, 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 dozens of 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.
  
  

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

About the Author:

Arbel is JobTestPrep's CCAT specialist. He has over 15 years' experience working as a psychometric test instructor and 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_arbel@jobtestprep.com

Read more about Arbel's courses.