Criteria Cognitive Ability Test (CCAT)

The Criteria Cognitive Ability Test (CCAT) is a psychometric test that aims to evaluate cognitive abilities. This test assesses a candidate's ability to solve problems or analyze situations from a critical point of view and as well quantifies the learning ability speed. The CCAT includes three different types of questions, covering verbal, numerical and spatial reasoning abilities.

Presentation of the CCAT Test

What Does the CCAT Consist Of?

The CCAT consists of 50-questions and a limited time of 15-minutes. In this short time frame, the candidate shall answer as many questions as possible. According to Criteria, the average of correct answers is 24 and only one person in a hundred manages to answer all the questions. The test is divided into three types of questions: verbal, numerical and spatial reasoning. Additionally, calculators are not allowed for this test, which rises its difficulty. After completing the test, a complete profile report is established and sent to your recruiter.

The test is divided into three types of questions. After completing the test, the candidate receives a complete profile report.

CCAT's questions are organized in the test as follows:

• Approximately 22 verbal reasoning questions.
• Approximately 17 numerical reasoning questions.
• Approximately 11 spatial reasoning questions.

Nevertheless, in this test the question categories are mixed. Usually the same type of question will be repeated two or three times in a row before changing categories. Thus, in this test you may encounter two questions of the same type one after the other.

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What Skills Are Candidates Assessed For?

CCAT measures the cognitive ability of candidates using several factors, such as critical thinking, speed of learning and problem solving. Knowing the cognitive capacity of the applicant allows the employer to determine whether the position is a good fit for the candidate and thus helps to reduce attrition and anticipation. According to a case study of a client company collected on the HireSelect platform, the use of the CCAT test increased the number of employees who remain in the position after six months of work from 51% to 74%. 

What Are the CCAT Question Topics?

1. Verbal reasoning test questions
2. Numerical reasoning test questions
3. Spatial reasoning test questions

Free Verbal Reasoning Questions

Verbal reasoning exercises allow the employer to assess a candidate's ability to interact with other employees and clients, whether via email, telephone or presentations. These questions may include:

• Antonyms
• Questions of letter sequences
• Sentence completion questions
• Analogies
• Syllogisms
• Questions of verbal logical reasoning or arrangements

Example of Question of Antonyms

Choose the word that is most nearly OPPOSITE to the world in capital letters.

HILARIOUS

1. shy
2. stupid
3. fearful
4. boring
5. joyful

Example of Questions of Letter Sequences

What would be the next group of letters in the following series?

bd … eg … hj … km ?

1. ln
2. lp
3. no
4. np
5. nq

Example of Sentence Completion Questions

Choose the word of words that, when inserted in the sentence to replace the blank or blanks, best fits the meaning of the sentence.

Delft Blue is the _____ pottery that has been produced in the city of Delft since the 17th century.

1. empty
2. famous
3. beautiful
4. tiny
5. ancient

Example of Analogy

MODEST is to ARROGANCE as …

1. ATTRACTIVE is to REPULSION
2. INDIFFERENT is to APATHY
3. SCATTERBRAINED is to CONCENTRATION
4. ENVIOUS is to JEALOUSY
5. RED is to COLOR

Example of Syllogism

Assume the first two statements are true. Is the final statement: 1) True, 2) False, or 3) Uncertain based on the information provided?

Tom is fatter than Jack.
Tom is thinner than Joe.
Jack is fatter than Joe.

1. True
2. False
3. Uncertain

Example of Verbal Logical Reasoning or Arrangements

Irene, Denise, Melissa and Helene are four friends. Four statements are given:

Irene is in the same class as Denise.
Denise is in the same class as Helene
Helene is in the same class as Melissa.
Melissa is in the same class as Irene.

Therefore, what is not possible?

1. Only one statement is correct.
2. Only two of the statements are correct.
3. Only three of the statements are correct.
4. All four statements are correct.
5. None of the four statements are correct.

Answer and Explanation

The correct answer is C.

For this type of question, the best way to organize yourself is to draw the information presented in the statement.

By drawing the statement, we can observe that if all four statements are correct, all four girls are in the same class. Answer D is therefore possible.

Answers A, B and E are also possible; however, answer C is impossible because if only three statements are correct it contradicts the fourth statement. The correct answer is therefore answer C.

Free Numerical Reasoning Questions

Numerical questions aim to assess the candidate's critical thinking and problem-solving skills. The questions are to be answered by way of mental calculations and therefore do not require the use of a calculator, which is forbidden.

These questions include:

• Basic arithmetic
• Value comparison questions
• Percentage
• Percentage problems
• Time problems
• Average problems
• Ratio and proportions problems
• Combination problems
• Number sequence or series
• Graph and table

Example of Basic Arithmetic

If a wildlife photographer takes 12 photographs per hour, how many photographs can he take in 6 hours?

1. 76
2. 32
3. 72
4. 98
5. 114

Example of Value Comparison

Which of the following is the smallest value?

1. 3.21
2. 0.6
3. 0.12
4. 0.07
5. 1.564

Example of Percentage Question

36 is 15% of what number?

1. 220
2. 225
3. 235
4. 240
5. 250

Answer and Explanation

The correct answer is D.

Calculation:

15% × x = 36

So:

Now multiply the two operations by 100 and divide by 15, which gives:

x = 240

Example of Percentage Problem

A florist sells all his bouquets of roses with a 15% discount. If the standard price for rose bouquets is $20 per bouquet, how many bouquets are acquired by a buyer who has spent $119 on rose bouquets?

1. 4
2. 5
3. 7
4. 8
5. 9

Answer and Explanation

The correct answer is C.

The price of a bouquet of roses after discount:

15% of 20 = $3

Then:

$20 - 3 = $17 par bouquet.

The buyer paid a total of $119. In order to determine how many bouquets has he bought; the following calculation must be made:

x × 17 = 119

Now we have to divide the two operations by 17:

So, the buyer bought 7 bunches of roses.

Example of Time Problem

Jonathan spends an average of 30 minutes a day playing videogames with his console. How long did he play in total on his console during the month of January?

1. 91 minutes
2. 540 minutes
3. 750 minutes
4. 930 minutes
5. 1040 minutes

Example of Average Problem

A group of four numbers has an average of 12. The first three numbers are 9, 12 and 15. Which one is the missing number?

1. 10
2. 11
3. 12
4. 13
5. 14

Answer and Explanation

The average of the first three numbers:

In order for the average to remain 12, the fourth number must also be 12. Thus:

The correct answer is therefore answer C, 12.

Example of Ratio and Proportions Questions

In a class of 35 students, there is a 4:3 ratio between boys and girls. How many girls are there?

1. 12
2. 13
3. 14
4. 15
5. 17

Answer and Explanation

The correct answer is D.

A ratio of 4:3 is calculated as follows:

4 boys for 3 girls, so a total of 7.

Ratio of girls = 3, so:

3 × 5 = 15

Ratio of boys = 4, so:

4 × 5 = 20

So, there are 15 girls in the class.

Example of Combination Problem

A woman has in her wardrobe 4 skirts, 5 blouses and 3 jackets. For dressing, she randomly selects one skirt, one blouse and one jacket. How many different clothes combinations can she dress with?

1. 45
2. 60
3. 78
4. 85
5. 98

Example of Number Series Question

What would be the next number in the following series

2 ... 3 ... 5 ... 8 ... 13 ... ?

1. 21
2. 22
3. 23
4. 24
5. 25

Example of Numerical Reasoning Question With a Table

The following table shows the latest apartments sold by real estate agent Bill Smith in Nashville. What was the price per ft² of apartment 2?

1. $300
2. $1600
3. $2400
4. $2800
5. $3000

Answer and Explanation

The correct answer is E.

The price per ft² is calculated as follows:

Free Spatial Reasoning Questions

Spatial reasoning questions, like numerical questions, allow for the examination of a candidate's critical and logical skills. These questions include:

• Logical Sequence
• Odd One Out
• Matrices

Example of Logical Sequence

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

Example of Odd One Out Questions

Which of the following does not belong?

Example of Matrice Question

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

Tips and Tricks

• The exam's time limit allows exactly 18 seconds per question, meaning speed is crucial and you must not remain stuck on any one question. The CCAT does not penalize errors and so it is better to guess than to leave any questions unanswered.
• It is important to read the instructions carefully in order to avoid misunderstandings which may cost you; in this type of test every point counts and it would be a shame to make mistakes which could easily have been avoided.
• Focus on your strengths! This type of test combines both verbal and numerical questions and it is rare to be equally skilled in both type. It is therefore a smart choice to complete the questions in your stronger field and only then address the remaining exercises.

How Are the Test Results Presented?

The CCAT results are presented to the examinee in a complete profile report, which includes the amount of correct answers as well as a percentage number indicating the candidate's relative score.

The profile report also includes a ranking of all positions, according to Criteria standards and categories. The candidate's raw score is then positioned correspondingly, indicating whether he or she has the required score for the position requested.

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