Last Updated: May 11th, 2026 | Trusted by over 10,400 Candidates
Hi, I’m David.
I started JobTestPrep over 30 years ago, after completing my Master's in psychology with a focus on psychometric testing.
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The Criteria Cognitive Aptitude Test (CCAT) is a common pre-employment assessment that measures cognitive skills like problem-solving, learning speed, and critical thinking. The test's most notable feature is its strict time limit.
CCAT is administered online via Criteria's testing platform, Criteria On Demand.
Test Time:
15 minutes
Number of Questions:
50
Goal:
Answer as many questions correctly as you can
Question Types:
Numerical, Verbal, spatial, & Logical
Calculator:
Not allowed
Draft Paper:
Allowed
This free practice exam mirrors the CCAT’s structure, difficulty level, and time pressure.
It features samples from all four question categories (Numerical, Verbal, Spatial, Logical) to help you gain a more accurate idea of what the real exam is like.
You can scroll down to solve sample questions at your leisure. For a more realistic simulation, complete with a running timer, take our interactive simulation.
The actual test (as well as this CCAT practice test) begins with three numerical questions.
To answer correctly, you must possess a foundational understanding of mathematical principles such as basic algebra, arithmetic, and fractions. Here are just a few examples:
Chewing gum sells for $0.10 per box.
How many boxes can you buy for $2.50?
Wrong
Wrong
Wrong
Wrong
Correct!
The correct answer is (E) - 25.
To find how many boxes we can buy, we divide the total amount of money by each box's price. Note that to simplify the solution, you can move the decimal point in both numbers one place to the right:
$2.5/$0.1 is exactly the same as $25.0 / $1.0 = 25/1 = 25
Another way to perform the calculations is to convert 0.10 to 1/10 and 2.50 to 2 1/2 = 5/2.
5/2 divided by 1/10 is identical to 5/2 multiplied by 10:
5/2*10=50/2=25.
Which of the following is the smallest value?
Wrong
Wrong
Wrong
Correct!
Wrong
The correct answer is (D) - 0.0077
To solve this type of question efficiently:
Charles eats 102 mg calcium daily. The (RDA) Recommended Dietary Allowance of calcium for an adult is 1300 mg.
Which of the following is closest to the percent of the RDA Charles eats daily?
Correct!
Wrong
Wrong
Wrong
Wrong
The correct answer is (C).
The percent Charles eats is 102/1300 *100= 7.8%
This is closest to 8%.
Remember to work with elimination. 10% of 1300 is 130. 102 is lower than 130, hence it is less than 10%.
Dave is five years older than Jonathan; Jonathan is twice the age of Alice, and Alice is a fifth of Jean's age. Jean is 10 years old.
How old is Dave?
Wrong
Correct!
Wrong
Wrong
Wrong
The correct answer is B (9)
Jean's age: 10
Alice's age: 1:5·10 = 2
Jonathan = 2·2 = 4
Dave = 4 + 5 = 9
A new TV, worth $500, loses $75 in value every year.
If T represents the number of years since the purchase of the new TV, which of the following expressions represents the value of the TV at time T?
Wrong
Wrong
Correct!
Wrong
The correct answer is (C).
If the $500 TV loses $75 every year, then the expression representing the value of the TV is $500 − $75T.
Many candidates get anxious about solving math problems, and that's understandable. It might help you to know that Criteria actually refers to this category as "Math & Logic", not numerical reasoning. It's not really about how deep your knowledge of math is; it's about problem-solving. The questions just happen to contain numbers.
The best way to excel on these questions is to familiarize yourself with math shortcuts and tricks that can help you skip the calculations and get straight to the problem-solving.
There are four spatial “Next in Series” questions on the CCAT. Each one contains a sequence that follows a specific pattern. Your goal is to identify which figure comes next in the series.
Use these two practice questions to get a feel for how it works.
Observe the following sequence:
Which of the following boxes should replace the question mark to complete the pattern?
Wrong
Wrong
Correct!
Wrong
Wrong
The answer is C
From this starting point, in each subsequent step of the sequence, the left black triangle moves one position clockwise, while the right black triangle moves one position counterclockwise. See the image below for reference:
Observe the following sequence:
Which of the following boxes should replace the question mark to complete the pattern?
Wrong
Wrong
Wrong
Wrong
Correct!
The answer is E
This sequence follows three distinct patterns:
Observe the following sequence:
Which of the following boxes should replace the question mark to complete the pattern?
Wrong
Wrong
Correct!
Wrong
Wrong
The answer is C
Every second frame, a shape is added in the upper left-hand corner. In the next step, this shape appears in the bottom-right corner next to the shapes already there. The "adding" frames include a diagonal line going from the top right to the bottom left. The series goes 'add', 'without diagonal line', 'add', 'without...''
Since the frame before the missing one has a diagonal line, this should disappear in the missing frame (making options (B), (D), and (E) not optional), and the shape on the top left should be added to the bottom right, making (C) the correct answer.
Observe the following sequence:
Which of the following boxes should be next?
Correct!
Wrong
Wrong
Wrong
Wrong
The correct answer is A
The logic: each step, one four-hand star disappears and a black dot is added instead. The location of change is always three stars away from the last change: two steps vertically and one step horizontally, or two steps horizontally and one step vertically – the same as the knight's movement in Chess. In the fifth step a black dot is added in the upper right corner, therefore, the correct answer is 1, as the new dot is located one step left and two steps down.
Solving tip: Answers 4 and 5 are disqualified easily for having more than six dots. In inductive reasoning questions, you can very often disqualify some of the answers without understanding the complete logic of the question. Doing that will maximize your chances of guessing correctly in cases where you do not.
Observe the following sequence:
Which of the following boxes should replace the question mark to complete the pattern?
Wrong
Wrong
Wrong
Correct!
Wrong
The answer is D
The above series has two characteristics that change: The inside shape and the outside shape.
The pattern of the outside shapes is - circle, square, and triangle.
The pattern of the inside shapes is - square, triangle, and circle.
Thus, following this pattern, the answer is a square with a triangle inside.
Tips for “Next in Series” Questions:
The next batch of questions is taken from the 18 Verbal questions you'll get on the CCAT assessment:
Please select a pair of words that have a similar relationship
DECREASE is to INCREASE as...
Wrong
Correct!
Wrong
Wrong
Wrong
The answer is (B) - 'beauty' is to 'ugliness'.
'Decrease' and 'increase' are verbs that are opposites. 'Beauty' and 'ugliness' are nouns that are opposites. However, these are the only pairs of opposites because sitting is not the opposite of walking.
'Stretch' and 'enlarge' both involve making something bigger, but they aren't opposites. Similarly, 'square' and 'triangle' are different shapes, not opposites. Lastly, 'upload' and 'update' are related terms but don’t have an opposite relationship like 'decrease' and 'increase.'
Please select a pair of words that have a similar relationship
VINEYARD is to GRAPES as...
Wrong
Wrong
Wrong
Wrong
Correct!
The answer is (D) - 'orchard' is to 'oranges'.
'Grapes' grow in a 'vineyard' just as 'oranges' grow in an 'orchard. ' 'Mangos' do not grow in a 'field' but rather in a grove or orchard. 'Bacteria' may grow in a 'laboratory,' but they are also present in a host of other environments.
"Wild: wolves" is not like "vineyard: grapes" because "wild" describes an environment or state in which wolves typically live, while a "vineyard" is a place specifically cultivated for growing grapes. The first pair shows a relationship between an animal and its natural habitat, while the second pair shows a relationship between a place and what it produces or contains.
Please select a pair of words that have a similar relationship
WATER is to ISLAND as
Wrong
Wrong
Correct!
Wrong
Wrong
The correct answer is: (C) desert is to oasis
Let's build a sentence to explain the relationship between the given words: An island is completely surrounded by water. Now we can plant the answer options in the sentence to see what makes sense.
Please select a pair of words that have a similar relationship to the following:
STRINGS is to GUITAR as:
Wrong
Wrong
Correct!
Wrong
Wrong
STRINGS are the part of the GUITAR which makes the music.
Let’s try to apply it to all answer choices:
A. WOOD is the part of the CELLO which makes the music.
B. PIANO is the part of the KEYS which makes the music.
C. BARS are the part of the XYLOPHONE which makes the music.
D. VIOLIN is the part of the FLUTE which makes the music.
E. SOUND is part of the MUSIC, which makes the music.
Of all answer choices, only C maintains the original relationship.
Please select a pair of words that have a similar relationship to the following:
ABHOR is to DENOUNCE as ...
Correct!
Wrong
Wrong
Wrong
Wrong
To ABHOR means to regard something with disgust, and to DENOUNCE is to declare something wrong.
(WORD 2) is an action one may take when he feels (WORD 1).
A person DENOUNCES something that he ABHORS; similarly, a person APOLOGIZES for something he REGRETS. These two pairs are particularly similar, as both actions (APOLOGIZING and DENOUNCING) are carried out through communication. Thus the answer is A.
Tips for Analogy Questions:
When inserted in the sentence to replace the blank or blanks, choose the word or words that best fits the sentence's meaning.
Bastian's classmates had often ______ him, forgetting that acting without _______ can have severe consequences.
Wrong
Wrong
Wrong
Correct!
Wrong
The correct answer is (D) – taunted .. compassion.
The word "forgetting" tells us that the two parts of the sentence contrast: since they forget something important, Bastian's classmates behave in a way that has severe (harsh) consequences (results).
When we place the first pair in the sentence, the word 'mocked' fits, but the word ridicule' (to mock), creates a sentence that does not make sense.
The second pair does not make sense either because if Bastian's friends respected him, they would be acting with honor and not without it.
In the third pair, 'kindness' is a noun while the sentence calls for a verb, so we can eliminate this answer choice.
Placing the fourth pair in the sentence tells us that Bastian's classmates taunted (teased) him, forgetting that acting without compassion (kindness) can have difficult results - and this makes sense. As for the last pair, the word 'bullied' fits the sentence, but the word 'compensate' (to make up for) is a verb, while the sentence calls for a noun. Also, its meaning does not fit the sentence.
Therefore, the correct answer is taunted .. compassion.
When inserted in the sentence to replace the blank or blanks, choose the word or words that best fits the sentence's meaning.
Electronic information and automated systems are essential to _______ all major federal operations.
Wrong
Wrong
Wrong
Wrong
Correct!
The sentence refers to electronic information that is fundamental to (something) all major federal operations. The sentence's general idea implies that electronic information is essential to practically / nearly / almost all primary federal operations. Therefore, the only word accurately reflecting that meaning in the sentence's context is "virtually".
Choose the word or words that, when inserted in the sentence to replace the blank or blanks, best fits the meaning of the sentence.
Since porcelain is an extremely hard and _______ substance, it is used in dentistry to create artificial teeth.
Wrong
Correct!
Wrong
Wrong
Wrong
Porcelain is extremely hard and is used to create artificial teeth. As a result, it should be a long-lasting, stable substance. Therefore, the option "durable" fits the blank best.
Since porcelain is used in dentistry for creating artificial teeth and implanting them in peoples' mouths, it can not be hazardous or sly, as hazardous means 'dangerous, risky' and sly means 'showing a cunning and deceitful nature.
It could prove lucrative, which means 'cost-effective or fruitful (referring to financial profit)', but that is not a trait of the substance itself.
Influential, which means 'dominant, important, of great influence' is irrelevant.
When inserted in the sentence to replace the blank or blanks, choose the word or words that best fits the sentence's meaning.
Jenny's ________ and common sense served as a(n) ________ to the people around her.
Wrong
Correct!
Wrong
Wrong
Wrong
The correct answer is: composure .. inspiration.
'Composure' means self-controlled state of mind, which, together with common sense, can serve as an example to the people around Jenny.
The first pair doesn't make sense because 'foolishness' is the opposite of common sense, so the two traits do not go together as an example.
The third pair is not logical because 'instability' (not being stable) is not a quality that generally serves as a good example.
The fourth pair is incorrect because although 'sound judgment' does go together with common sense, 'friendly' is an adjective while a noun is needed in the second blank space.
The last pair also does not fit for the same reason: 'delightful' is an adjective while a noun is needed here - a quality that Jenny has.
Therefore, the correct answer is composure .. example.
When inserted in the sentence to replace the blank or blanks, choose the word or words that best fits the sentence's meaning.
The dance performance ______ Michael deeply and inspired him to ______ dancing.
Correct!
Wrong
Wrong
Wrong
Correct!
The correct answer choice is impressed .. take up.
To 'impress' means to influence someone's opinion in a positive way: the performance influenced Michael to take up dancing.
The second answer choice creates a sentence that does not make sense, because if the performance disappointed Michael, it would not make him want to pursue (take up) dancing.
The third pair also does not make sense, for the same reason: if the performance thrilled Michael, it would not make him want to give up dancing.
The fourth pair can be eliminated because the word 'Ballet' is a noun while the sentence calls for a verb.
The fifth pair can be eliminated because only people can admire - a performance cannot.
Therefore, the correct answer is impressed .. take up.
Many of the CCAT verbal questions rely heavily on English vocabulary, which is tough to improve quickly. However, with practice, you can still answer many questions correctly by using context clues and reasoning skills—even if you’re unsure of some words’ meanings.
Assume the first two statements are true.
All company employees live within a 2-hour driving distance from the office.
Jonah lives a 1.5-hour driving distance from the office.
Jonah is a company employee.
According to the information provided, the third statement is-
Wrong
Wrong
Correct!
The correct answer is: (C) Uncertain
Let’s examine the first two statements and then determine the truth of the third:
However, knowing that employee → within 2 hours does not mean the reverse is true (within 2 hours → employee).
A leads to B does not necessarily mean that B leads to A.
Therefore, Jonah’s location alone doesn’t prove he is a company employee—he might be, or he might not be.
Assume the first two statements are true.
Miranda is sitting above Joseph.
Joseph is sitting below Joana.
Joana is sitting below Miranda.
According to the information provided, the third statement is-
Wrong
Wrong
Correct!
The correct answer is: Uncertain.
An efficient way to solve this question is by visualizing the positions.
Miranda is sitting above Joseph, so we can start by placing Miranda above Joseph like this:
| Miranda |
| Joseph |
Next, Joseph is sitting below Joana, which means Joana can either be above or below Miranda. So, we have two possible arrangements:
| Miranda | Joana |
| Joana | Miranda |
| Joseph | Joseph |
Since Joana can be either below or above Miranda, the correct answer is Uncertain.
Assume the first two statements are true.
According to the information provided, the third statement is-
Wrong
Wrong
Correct!
The correct answer is Uncertain.
According to the first statement, Bob is taller than Rob, i.e.
Bob > Rob
According to the second statement, Job is shorter than Bob, i.e. Job < Bob.
This statement can also be phrased: Bob is taller than Job (switch directions) i.e.
Bob > Job
Therefore, you can deduce that Bob is taller than both Rob and Job (Bob is the tallest among the three). However, you do not have enough information to determine who is shorter - Rob, or Job.
Therefore, the correct answer is 'Uncertain'.
Assume the first two statements are true.
According to the information provided, the third statement is-
Correct!
Wrong
Wrong
The correct answer is: True.
According to the first statement: Earrings and piercings are allowed at "Sacred Jar" high school, for students who are either 17 or older, or for those who supply a parent’s written permission.
Simplify this long sentence:
Earrings and piercings are allowed if you are 17 (or older) OR if you have you have parent's permission.
The 'OR' implies that only one of the conditions must be fulfilled, to attend school while wearing earrings and piercings.
According to the second statement, Maria is 17-year-old but does not have her parent’s permission.
That means that Maria fulfills one of the conditions (she is 17 years old). Therefore, she can attend school while wearing earrings and piercings.
Solving tip: When given a long and complex statement, try to simplify it by extracting its essence, and rephrasing it in a shorter, more understandable way.
The CCAT is designed to be selective, which means difficult. However, raw skill is not all it measures. The scores are affected by prep time, prep quality, and testing anxiety.
That's why our pack gives you:
• 6 complete simulations in exact CCAT format with progressively harder questions
• 20 partial simulations targeting specific question types to address weak areas
• 4 video guides and 5 interactive guides with theory and success tips
• Complete solutions and explanations for all questions
• A unique time-management section to master the exam's toughest challenge: the time limit
"My CCAT guide was very well organized and provided me with a lot of practice questions. I found that the actual CCAT test was very similar to the practice and it really helped me prepare."
Julian O.
Source: TrustPilot
"I’m very satisfied with the quality and structure of the materials. The difficulty level and timing closely mirrored the official test, which helped me manage my pace and confidence during the real assessment. The explanations after each question were clear and effective for learning under time pressure. Overall, this package gave me a strong advantage, definitely worth it for anyone who wants realistic practice before the official test."
Emmanuel M.
Source: Yotpo
"I had a wonderful experience preparing for my CCAT, the team at Jobtestprep is very responsive. The training materials were very informative and the the multiple different timed practice tests gave an opportunity to try different strategies. Highly recommend :)"
Peter T.
Source: TrustPilot
"This training was exactly what I needed and could not accomplish my goal without it. Thank you!"
Donald H.
Source: Yotpo
"I recently purchased the CCAT practice package which was perfectly put together to practice for a cognitive psychometric test I had to sit for NSW Fire and Rescue. I then had to extend time on my package, even though my package license had expired, due to further testing and the customer service in assisting me to do this was outstanding. Highly recommended."
Nathan.
Source: TrustPilot
"I needed to prep for the CCAT exam urgently. I spent several hours the morning of the test and ended up with a 95th percentile score. It’s not voodoo or dark magic, and prep can’t teach you math or enhance your vocabulary but it can help you strategize to put yourself into position to excel. I couldn’t have done it without the prep from JobTestPrep."
David D.
Source: Yotpo
Here's a test overview to help you understand what you're being evaluated for and how to prepare.
The CCAT is challenging for three main reasons:
Here's a visual breakdown of the question types:
16-17 questions
34% of the exam
Types: number series, word problems, algebra
17 questions
34% of the exam
Types: analogies, sentence completion, antonyms
11 questions
22% of the exam
Types: shape series, odd one out, matrices
5-6 questions
10% of the exam
Types: syllogisms, seating arrangements
Scoring 35+ requires answering correctly in under 20 seconds per question, focusing on weaknesses, and practicing at real difficulty levels.
Cognitive tests are a type of psychometric assessment - an aptitude test. They are, fundamentally, an assessment of your mental abilities. These can include problem-solving, logical reasoning, and abstract thinking.
Modern aptitude tests are designed to be culturally unbiased. That is, they try to minimize their reliance on culture-specific knowledge or skills, focusing instead on pure logic.
There are numerous cognitive ability tests that differ in question type, difficulty, and format – leading tests include Cognify, PI, & P&G.
On Demand is Criteria Corp's online platform where candidates take their tests. You can find out more about the CCAT On-Demand Assessment on our dedicated page.
Compared to other job-related tests, the CCAT is known to be challenging. It gets harder as you progress through the questions. The math questions need quick thinking and strong analysis skills. People who've taken the CCAT and other tests like the Wonderlic and PI find the CCAT the most demanding.
Although the passing score on the Criteria Cognitive Aptitude Test largely depends on the position you are applying for, there are certain scores that will substantially increase the probability that you pass.
Answering 31 questions correctly (this number is known as your raw score) will typically put you above the top 20th percentile score of those who took the CCAT, and this is considered a relatively good score.
A raw score of forty questions right out of 50 will put you among the top percentile scores of any list of candidates, and give you an excellent chance of landing the job.
For more information on this subject, visit our CCAT scores page.
All of the 50 questions on the CCAT are multiple-choice. There are no open-ended questions on the CCAT.
Everyone receives similar question types, but they usually differ in their content as Criteria has a huge question bank. The questions' order is almost identical across all CCAT tests, with minor possible differences.
Employers, mainly in North America, often pick the CCAT for hiring. It helps streamline the recruitment process by reducing costs and identifying candidates adept at critical thinking, problem-solving, quick learning, and applying new information.
The downside of using a test like this is the impersonal experience candidates often feel, but since testing is a growing practice in the market, most companies feel they can afford it, given the benefits.
Yes, there's a longer CCAT version giving you 22 minutes instead of 15, which is about 50% more time. This is available for those who aren't native English speakers or have a medical condition that requires more time.
To receive this accommodation, contact HR at your recruiting company and inquire about your eligibility.
If English is not your native language, contact the employer or recruiter who sent you the CCAT invitation and explain your situation. Criteria allows their clients control over deadlines and extensions.
No, you cannot use a calculator on the CCAT Exam. The test is designed to measure candidates' ability to think on their feet, and this includes identifying creative shortcuts for mental calculations, without relying on a calculator.
You are allowed a piece of draft paper and a writing utensil. In fact, it's encouraged to use these tools. Visual thinking is a valid problem-solving strategy, and sketching the problems can often serve as a catalyst for identifying the solutions.
There are no negative markings for wrong answers on the CCAT. Your score is made up of the number of correct answers you get. A wrong answer simply isn't counted. This means guessing when a question is too difficult or taking up too much time is not only okay, but a valid strategy.
It is ultimately up to the hiring company whether a retest is allowed. Usually, the answer will be n, but an exception could be made under unique circumstances. If your reason for needing a retest is a technical issue, you should contact Criteria Support through the testing platform.
It can be, but it is not always live-proctored. Criteria offers AI proctoring that can capture images, screen/audio samples, and flag suspicious behavior, and says candidates are informed before monitoring begins. In many cases, the first at-home CCAT is not proctored, but some employers may require a proctored verification session later.
The exact cutoff is usually employer-specific, so the best source is the recruiter or hiring company. Criteria’s score reports include a raw score and percentile, and when a job association is set, the report/platform can show a suggested score range for that position or job family. Criteria also says the CCAT includes custom score ranges for many positions.
Several employers use the CCAT in their hiring process, including Pennymac Aptean, Cvent, Finastra, Granicus, PowerSchool, TIBCO, Vertafore, Xactly, Infoblox, Mitratech, Ping Identity, and Relias Learning. For specific details on each, check out our guide on the Vista Equity Partners Exam.
Although the CCAT measures cognitive abilities closely related to IQ, it is not an IQ test and will not provide an IQ score.
The UCAT is a shorter test by Criteria Corp focusing on math, logic, and visual reasoning without the verbal section found in the CCAT. Click to see more info on the UCAT.
Criteria, the provider of the Criteria Cognitive Aptitude Test provider, is one of the world's leading test providers, with over 1500 companies in 18 countries using their assessments. From the U.S. Marine Corps to private equity companies, Criteria's pre-employment testing is used in assessing candidates for an infinite variety of employers and positions.
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