Tammar, Criteria Cognitive Aptitude Test (CCAT) Expert at JobTestPrep.
Have a question? Contact me at: ask_the_team@jobtestprep.comHow to Pass the CCAT?
Here are 7 expert tips to help you pass the CCAT:
- Diagnose Your Level:
Discover what type of questions you struggled with to ensure you know what to focus on to achieve the highest score possible. - Know What to Expect on the Real CCAT:
Practice only with question types that resemble the actual exam. This will allow you to know exactly what to expect and reduce test anxiety. - Learn CCAT Solving Techniques to Reduce Solving Time:
Learning and implementing techniques to solve problems faster is one of the best things you can do to increase your score. - Get Full-Length CCAT Practice Test Simulations:
Practicing full-length simulations is a critical step in practicing for any exam, and even more so on the CCAT. - Track Your Progress:
Keep track of your results so that you change your practice focus to the most critical areas as you go. This will also allow you to know the pace of your improvement. - Master Proper Time Management:
By taking the full-length simulations, you will understand how well you keep up with the required pace of the test. - Learn from Your Mistakes:
Take some time to learn what are your most common mistakes and what you learned from them. You'll be amazed at what an effect this process has in the long run.
Is the CCAT Assessment Hard?
The CCAT assessment is no walk in the park, mainly due to the intense time pressure it imposes. Imagine having to tackle 50 questions within a mere 15 minutes, leaving you with a mere 18 seconds per question!
As you progress through the test, the questions become more complex, adding to the challenge along with the ticking clock. The key focus of your CCAT practice should therefore be improving your ability to solve problems quickly under pressure.
Our experience has shown that the closer your practice aligns with the real test, the more significant the improvement in your performance. That's why our CCAT PrepPack offers six simulations, each consisting of 50 questions that you'll aim to complete within 15 minutes—just like the actual test. The question order, difficulty level, and time limit are precisely matched to the CCAT assessment and come with detailed explanations.
While the initial simulations may serve as a warm-up to the pressure, you'll start seeing clear progress in the third and fourth simulations. By the time you reach the fifth and sixth simulations, you'll be on your way to achieving the high score necessary to stand out from the competition.
With our CCAT preparation pack, available for a mere $79, you can ensure you're fully prepared for the CCAT and poised to achieve the impressive performance you deserve.
Is CCAT an IQ Test?
Although the CCAT measures cognitive abilities closely related to IQ, it is not an IQ test and will not provide an IQ score.
Is CCAT a Multiple-Choice Test?
All of the 50 questions on the CCAT are multiple-choice. There are no open-ended questions on the CCAT.
Which Positions Require Taking the CCAT Test?
There are dozens of jobs that require candidates to take the CCAT test, but the most common ones are:
- Managerial positions (senior and junior)
- Sales
- Finance
- Analysts (including financial analysts)
- Consultants
- Lawyers
- Software engineers and other technology workers
What is Criteria Corp?
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.
What Are the Differences Between CCAT and UCAT?
The Universal Cognitive Aptitude Test (UCAT) shares some similarities with the CCAT, but it’s different in two distinct things: it doesn’t have a verbal ability section, making it easier for non-English speakers, and it has a more moderate time pressure, with 20 minutes to answer 40 questions.
What Is the CCAT Test App?
The CCAT test app is named JobFlare. It features six brain games measuring qualities such as attention to detail, verbal ability, math skills, and memory. While practicing these skills can help to some extent, the app has no full-length test simulations with time constraints.
Does Everyone Get the Same Questions on the CCAT Assessment?
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.
Should I Guess on the CCAT?
You should guess on the CCAT only in three instances. (1) If you're stuck on a question for too long and have no clue what's the correct answer, (2) you eliminated answers but still can't decide which is the correct one, and (3) if you have only a few seconds left on the test.
Should You Answer All Questions on CCAT?
You should not try to answer all questions on the CCAT. Only 1% of test-takers manage to answer all 50 questions correctly. Instead, you should aim to reach the required passing score for the position you're after.
Is CCAT Only Available Online?
The test can only be taken online, through Criteria’s testing platforms - HireSelect platform and On-Demand Assessment. Candidates can use their laptops, desktops, or smartphones.
Can You Get More Time to Do the CCAT?
An extended CCAT version with 1.5x more time is available for candidates with disabilities or others who need special accommodations. You will need to contact your recruiter to check if you’re eligible.
Is the Test Proctored?
The first CCAT session is usually not proctored and done at home. Some employers will ask you to take another test to verify your CCAT assessment score. This session will be proctored, either at the company offices, a testing center or using a webcam.
Can You Retake the CCAT?
Some employers allow candidates to retake the CCAT in certain circumstances. However, you should know that it is uncommon, and you'll need to contact your recruiter to discuss this option, in case you don't pass the exam.
Can You Use a Calculator on the Test?
You are not permitted to use a calculator when taking the CCAT, so avoid practicing with one. Use scrap paper instead.
What Is the Most Important Part of the CCAT test?
The most important parts of the CCAT are the math and verbal questions, as they make up more than 70% of the test's questions. That said, every employer can choose which sections to focus on, as the scores are divided into sub-categories.
What Is On-Demand Assessment?
This is Criteria's online testing platform, and where you're going to take your CCAT. Most candidates receive an email invitation with a link to ondemandassessment.com.
What Is a Good Score on the CCAT?
The CCAT contains 50 questions, yet you are not expected to answer all of them. Less than 10% of people answer more than 35 questions correctly. So getting 42 questions correctly will put you on the top scale for any job the CCAT tests for.
What Is the Average CCAT Score?
The average score on the CCAT is 24, according to a sample score report by Criteria Corp. An average score of 24 means that your score is better than 50% of the test-takers who have taken the CCAT.
Is There Negative Scoring on the CCAT?
There is no negative scoring on the CCAT. Instead, your score is calculated as the number of correct answers you gave. This means that there’s no penalty for guessing, and you're encouraged to guess instead of leaving a blank answer.
What Happens If You Don’t Get the Minimum CCAT Score You Need?
Usually, you won't advance to the next hiring stage if you don’t get the minimum score required for the job. That being said, If you score only slightly below the average scores of other candidates for the job, you might still get invited for an interview.
How to Read Your CCAT Results?
The CCAT results are comprised of a raw score, percentile score, and sub-scores. Raw scores are the number of correct answers. Percentile scores measure how you scored compared to others. Sub-scores show your performance in each section: Spatial Reasoning, Verbal Ability, and Math and Logic.
How Long Does It Take to Get the CCAT Score?
The CCAT score is calculated immediately after the test and is visible to the hiring company within minutes. However, candidates don’t receive their scores on the spot, and it takes between a few days to several weeks to be notified whether you’ve passed or not.
How to Check Your CCAT Result?
It's usually impossible to check your CCAT result since most employers do not disclose candidates' score reports and only provide you with a pass or fail message. However, it’s still worth trying to reach out to your recruiter and ask if they’re able to reveal your CCAT scores.
Why Do Employers Use CCAT?
Employers use CCAT to measure the cognitive aptitude of their candidates. Research shows that cognitive aptitude is an excellent predictor of job performance and how easily a new hire picks up training for a role. This, in turn, reduces employee turnover and makes the hiring process more efficient.
Additionally, the CCAT evaluates candidates’ ability to solve problems and their critical thinking ability, which are sought-after skills by most employers.
How Much Weight Do Companies Put into the CCAT Test?
In most companies, the CCAT is the first major screening tool after the resume submission. So, employers rely on its scores heavily and will only rarely invite a candidate for an interview after failing this exam.
Is the CCAT Similar to Other Pre-employment Tests?
There are some similarities between CCAT and other pre-employment tests, like the Wonderlic test and PI Cognitive Assessment. These cognitive ability tests share several common question types and topics and resemble their tight time constraints.
Can You Cheat on the CCAT Test?
For several reasons, cheating on the CCAT is nearly impossible and not recommended. First, you don’t have enough time to Google questions. Second, you can’t copy other people’s answers as you’ll likely get different questions. Lastly, you might hurt your hiring chances if you take a second proctored session and score lower.
Looking for CCAT Practice Tests or Additional Resources About the Test?
Check this list of useful practice resources:
- Free CCAT Practice Test with 20 questions and answers
- The full CCAT preparation course with 6 full-length CCAT simulations and dozens of practice tests
- Specific practice guide for each of the four exam topics: Numerical, Verbal, Spatial Reasoning, Logic
