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Criteria Cognitive Aptitude Test Preparation (CCAT)

To help you pass Criteria Corp's CCAT tests, use these preparation assessments, advice, and solutions to help you increase your score.

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What is the CCAT test?

The CCAT is developed by Criteria Corp to assess candidates and is their most popular aptitude test. Criteria Corp is a psychometric test publisher based in Los Angeles, California. Their high-quality software system, HireSelect, features personality tests, skills tests and aptitude tests. The CCAT (Criteria Cognitive Aptitude Test) by Criteria Corp is a pre-employment aptitude test that assesses candidates' cognitive abilities, including problem-solving, critical thinking, and numerical reasoning skills, among others.

How do CCAT tests work?

The Criteria Cognitive Aptitude Test (CCAT) measures the candidate's ability to solve problems and think critically. It has 50 questions and takes 15 minutes to complete. Therefore, the questions are quickly answered and many candidates do not finish all the questions before the time limit. This is a pre-employment test and is commonly given to candidates applying for a vast range of positions.

Free CCAT test

Here you can take our free CCAT test to show you how they work in improving your score.

Free Practice CCAT Test
Free

This free CCAT test has 16 questions and will take 8 minutes to complete. We rate this as hard difficulty and is typical of the CCAT test.

CCAT test outline

The crucial thing to remember about CCAT tests used for employment selection is that they contain many different question styles. The typical questions styles include but are not limited to:

  • Numerical reasoning questions with graphs or charts
  • Logical reasoning questions via abstract symbols
  • Verbal reasoning questions and text dissemination
  • Number sequences
  • Deductive reasoning questions
  • Synonyms and antonyms

The math required for a Criteria Cognitive Aptitude Test

The math required in a CCAT test is determined by the difficulty of GCSE level. The part required from you, is to interpret and figure out what calculation is required from the question, and under pressure of time.

If there is a style of question that you find most challenging, we recommend you take a moment to focus your practice on that type of question. This test is a non-calculator test, so the maths involved will not be extremely complex, the candidate is expected to perform quick mental maths.

Useful preparation for your CCAT test

Practice is so useful in preparation for the reasoning test as it helps reduce the element of surprise and will give you the confidence to perform at your best. Be that as it may, there are some other, simple ideas you can use to help prepare from your test.

  • Learn about the test you are going to take - ask the employer what test(s) your are taking. Perhaps ask for the test provider. This way, you can find out precisely how long the test will be and how many questions. Also, this will tell you what practice material will be appropriate.
  • Get enough sleep - not being completely alert and awake will likely impact negatively on your performance. We recommend you try and get a good night's sleep before your assessment day.
  • Make sure you arrive early - this applies really only to tests you are going to take at an assessment centre. Get there early so you can try to relax and concentrate on your task ahead rather than panicking about making sure you are there on time, and out of breath.

Other tests by Criteria Corp

Criteria Corp provide psychometric tests at most levels of position, ranging from the senior executive to entry level administration. They high-quality software system, HireSelect, features personality tests, skills tests and aptitude tests. As with most standard reasoning tests, Criteria Corp tests assess your speed, accuracy and overall score during the course of an assessment day exam. We give a list here of the most commonly used Criteria Corp aptitude tests:

  • Wiesen Test of Mechanical Aptitude: The Wiesen Test of Mechanical Aptitude (WTMA) measures a candidate's understanding of basic mechanical principles. This typically involves the use and application of devices such as gears, handles and pulleys. It also tests your ability to install, operate, and repair equipment and machinery. This is applicable for a wide range of jobs and is usually 30 minutes long.
  • Universal Cognitive Aptitude Test: The Universal Cognitive Aptitude Test (UCAT) measures the candidate's critical thinking, problem solving abilities, and logical analysis skills. However, this test is language-independent. Therefore, it is the ideal test for international candidates. It is usually 20 minutes long.
  • MiniCog Rapid Assessment Battery: The MiniCog Rapid Assessment Battery (MRAB) is a series of short tests developed at Harvard University that measures a candidate's 'information processing' functions. It focuses on certain skills linked to intelligence such as a candidate's ability to concentrate, not get distracted, their memory. The head of the team who designed the test, Dr. Stephen Kosslyn, argues that it is a 'cognitive fitness test'. It typically lasts around 35 minutes.
  • Critera Attention Skills Test: The Criteria Attention Skills Test (CAST) unsurprisingly measures the candidate's ability of concentration and ability to focus without getting distracted. It is usually 10 minutes long.
  • Employee Personality Profile: The Employee Personality Profile (EPP) is a 15 minutes long personality test that simply measures twelve specific personality traits that are a great predictor of a person's style of work.
  • Customer Service Aptitude Profile: The Customer Service Aptitude Profile (CSAP) is a 15 minutes long personality test that specifically assesses a candidate's personality for customer service positions. It focuses on their patience, diplomatic skills and how cooperative they may be to customers.
  • Workplace Productivity Profile: The Workplace Productivity Profile (WPP) is a 10 minutes long personality test that specifically assesses a candidate's personality for following rules and for being reliable. It also measures their ability to be conscientious in the workplace.
  • Sales Achievement predictor: The Sales Achievement predictor (SalesAP) is a 15 minutes long personality that specifically assesses for sales positions. As such, it measures competitiveness, extrovert behavior and motivation.
  • Criteria Personality Inventory: The Criteria Personality Inventory (CPI) is a general personality test that based on the Big Five model of personality from psychology. The five traits being extroversion, neurotocism, openness to experience, conscientiousness and agreeableness. It is typically 15 minutes long.

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