What to Expect on the Criteria Cognitive Aptitude Test (CCAT)
The Criteria Cognitive Aptitude Test, or CCAT, measures your ability to problem solve, use new information, and think critically.
CCAT Fast Facts
General CCAT Tips
Read the Instructions
The most common mistake test-takers make is rushing through instructions. Keep in mind that you can take all the time you need to read and understand them! Based on the instructions, you can create a strategy to get the highest score you can. On the CCAT, there's no penalty for wrong answers. So, if you are having trouble with one particular question, it's best to guess and move on.
Time Management
You've only got 15 minutes to get through 50 items, which works out to less than 20 seconds to answer each question. But remember, you’re not expected to get through all the questions. Make sure you're not spending too much time on any one question. If you find that you've spent more than 1 minute on a problem, make an educated guess and move on to the next one!
CCAT Fast Facts
- The CCAT has 50 questions
- You'll have 15 minutes to answer as many questions as you can
- There are 3 different kinds of questions: verbal, math and logic, and spatial reasoning
- No calculators or other aids (cell phone, etc.) allowed • Less than 1% of candidates answer all 50 questions
General CCAT Tips
Read the Instructions
The most common mistake test-takers make is rushing through instructions. Keep in mind that you can take all the time you need to read and understand them! Based on the instructions, you can create a strategy to get the highest score you can. On the CCAT, there's no penalty for wrong answers. So, if you are having trouble with one particular question, it's best to guess and move on.
Time Management
You've only got 15 minutes to get through 50 items, which works out to less than 20 seconds to answer each question. But remember, you’re not expected to get through all the questions. Make sure you're not spending too much time on any one question. If you find that you've spent more than 1 minute on a problem, make an educated guess and move on to the next one!
Preparing for The CCAT: Question Types
Verbal Questions
The CCAT's verbal questions evaluate how well you can figure out a word's precise meaning, how words relate to one another, and what role context plays in your word choice.
SAMPLE CCAT VERBAL QUESTION:
Choose the word that is most nearly OPPOSITE to the word in capital letters.
LENGTHEN
A. abdicate
B. truncate
C. elongate
D. stifle
E. resist
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: "Truncate" - which means to shorten or cut something off - is the best choice here as
the opposite of "Lengthen." "Elongate" is a synonym of "Lengthen," and we're looking for antonyms.
"Abdicate," "Stifle," and "Resist" all relate to stopping something in one way or another, but none of
them refer to a physical dimension the way that both "Truncate" and "Elongate" do. Since you're
looking for the opposite of lengthen, choose "Truncate."
The CCAT's verbal questions evaluate how well you can figure out a word's precise meaning, how words relate to one another, and what role context plays in your word choice.
SAMPLE CCAT VERBAL QUESTION:
Choose the word that is most nearly OPPOSITE to the word in capital letters.
LENGTHEN
A. abdicate
B. truncate
C. elongate
D. stifle
E. resist
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: "Truncate" - which means to shorten or cut something off - is the best choice here as
the opposite of "Lengthen." "Elongate" is a synonym of "Lengthen," and we're looking for antonyms.
"Abdicate," "Stifle," and "Resist" all relate to stopping something in one way or another, but none of
them refer to a physical dimension the way that both "Truncate" and "Elongate" do. Since you're
looking for the opposite of lengthen, choose "Truncate."
Math and Logic Questions
The CCAT tests your basic algebra skills, ability to determine proportions, and work your way
through word problems. None of the questions require a calculator to figure out, but you are
encouraged to use scratch paper and pencil.
SAMPLE CCAT MATH QUESTION
A group of 3 numbers has an average of 17. The first two numbers are 12 and 19. What is the third
number?
A. 17
B. 19
C. 20
D. 23
E. 30
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: An average is the sum of all the numbers in a set, divided by the number of numbers in
that set.
To figure this one out, set up a simple equation and solve for X:
(12 + 19 + X) ÷ 3 = 17
You want to isolate the X, so first multiply both sides by 3. 17×3 = 51, so the equation becomes:
(12 + 19 + X) = 51
Subtract both 12 and 19 from 51 to isolate the variable:
X = 20
through word problems. None of the questions require a calculator to figure out, but you are
encouraged to use scratch paper and pencil.
SAMPLE CCAT MATH QUESTION
A group of 3 numbers has an average of 17. The first two numbers are 12 and 19. What is the third
number?
A. 17
B. 19
C. 20
D. 23
E. 30
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: An average is the sum of all the numbers in a set, divided by the number of numbers in
that set.
To figure this one out, set up a simple equation and solve for X:
(12 + 19 + X) ÷ 3 = 17
You want to isolate the X, so first multiply both sides by 3. 17×3 = 51, so the equation becomes:
(12 + 19 + X) = 51
Subtract both 12 and 19 from 51 to isolate the variable:
X = 20
Spatial Reasoning Questions
The CCAT will evaluate your spatial reasoning skills by having you rotate or flip images in your head,
recognize patterns, and identify outliers.
SAMPLE CCAT SPATIAL QUESTION
Which of the following does not belong?
recognize patterns, and identify outliers.
SAMPLE CCAT SPATIAL QUESTION
Which of the following does not belong?
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: This is an outlier identification problem. To solve it, study all 5 options and see what they have in common. In this case, each choice has three shapes. What are those shapes? Each one contains a circle, a triangle, and a square. Except Choice B. Instead of a triangle, it has two squares. Since this is the only one that doubles up on shapes, it's the one that doesn't belong.
Explanation: This is an outlier identification problem. To solve it, study all 5 options and see what they have in common. In this case, each choice has three shapes. What are those shapes? Each one contains a circle, a triangle, and a square. Except Choice B. Instead of a triangle, it has two squares. Since this is the only one that doubles up on shapes, it's the one that doesn't belong.