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The Criteria Cognitive Aptitude Test, abbreviated CCAT, is a pre-employment cognitive aptitude assessment from Criteria. Employers use it to estimate how quickly a candidate can learn, solve problems, and reason with words, numbers, and patterns under time pressure. It is a named assessment, not a generic label for every cognitive hiring test.

According to Criteria’s public product and candidate materials, the standard CCAT includes 50 questions and a 15-minute time limit. Many candidates do not finish every item. Criteria’s candidate guidance notes that finishing all 50 questions is uncommon and is not required to perform competitively. Employers control the benchmarks they use. There is no single public universal pass mark for every role. This page sits under the Cognitive Aptitude Tests hub.

The 45 questions later on this page are original aptitude-practice exercises. They are not official Criteria, CCAT, employer, or JobTestPrep questions and do not reproduce a proprietary item, diagram, item bank, platform, norm table, score report, or live assessment form.

Key Takeaway

CCAT is Criteria’s named speeded aptitude assessment. Raw score and percentile are different views of performance. Employer cutoffs are not universal Criteria pass marks.

What the CCAT Is

The CCAT measures cognitive aptitude for hiring and talent decisions: problem solving, learning from new information, and critical thinking. Public Criteria materials describe three question kinds: verbal, math and logic, and spatial reasoning. The assessment draws on a dynamic item bank. It is not job-knowledge testing, not a personality inventory, and not the same as a Criteria publisher overview page.

If your invitation names another Criteria product such as the Universal Cognitive Aptitude Test (UCAT) or a basic skills battery, use the matching guide instead of treating this page as a catch-all.

Quick Facts From Current Criteria Materials

CCAT facts from current Criteria public product and candidate pages (confirm on your invitation)
Feature Current public summary
Full name Criteria Cognitive Aptitude Test (CCAT)
Provider Criteria
Items and timing 50 questions, 15 minutes
Content areas described Verbal; math and logic; spatial reasoning
Calculator Not allowed per Criteria candidate guidance
Score views described Raw score (number correct out of 50) and percentile ranking
Completion expectation Very few candidates finish all 50 items; average raw scores near the mid-20s appear in Criteria candidate materials
Hiring cutoffs Employer-controlled; no universal public pass mark

Sources: Criteria CCAT product page and Criteria CCAT candidate prep.

Speed, Skipping, and Guessing

Criteria candidate guidance states there is no penalty for wrong answers, so guessing and moving on can be better than spending too long on one item when the clock is running. Do not assume every session allows the same navigation rules. Follow the live instructions for skipping, reviewing, and tool restrictions.

Do not treat “answer every question” as a universal rule. The test is intentionally speeded. Maximizing correct answers under the time limit matters more than forcing every hard item.

Scoring: Raw Score Versus Percentile

A raw score is the number of questions answered correctly. A percentile compares that performance with a norm or comparison group. Percentile is not the same as percentage correct. Employers may also use role-specific suggested ranges in Criteria reporting tools. Those ranges are employer-configuration choices, not one public pass score for every job.

Candidate-facing result visibility varies. Some candidates see limited feedback; employers usually receive the score views they configured. Confirm what your invitation and portal show.

Retesting and Administration

Retest eligibility, waiting periods, remote or supervised delivery, and accommodations are controlled by the employer and administrator process, not by a single public universal CCAT rule on this site. Extended-time configurations may exist for documented needs; follow the official accommodations pathway named in your invitation.

CCAT is not Wonderlic, not the PI Cognitive Assessment, not a general numerical or verbal skill page, and not a school or academic admissions test. Correlation between cognitive products does not make their timing, items, or scoring identical.

Optional Third-Party Practice

After you confirm that your invitation names the Criteria CCAT and you understand the 50-question / 15-minute format, optional third-party timed practice can help some candidates build transferable speed and accuracy. Compare any commercial pack with Criteria’s candidate guidance and your invitation before you buy.

JobTestPrep Criteria CCAT preparation is a third-party option. JobTestPrep is not Criteria, the employer, or the official assessment administrator. Its materials do not reproduce the proprietary CCAT form or guarantee an employer-defined result.

For additional owned-network CCAT practice context, you can also use AptitudeTests.org CCAT practice. AptitudeTests.org is independent of Criteria.

45 Original CCAT-Style Practice Questions

The set below is educational. It is shorter than the live 50-question CCAT and is not an official simulation.

The CCAT is a proprietary Criteria assessment. The questions below use an original static four-option format to practise related aptitude skills. They do not reproduce an official CCAT question, diagram, item bank, platform, score report, norm group, or live assessment form. Live CCAT items may use a different number of answer options. These educational timings and formats are unofficial.

Section 1: Numerical Reasoning Practice

1. A supply room receives 48 boxes on Monday and 37 boxes on Tuesday. On Wednesday, 52 boxes are shipped out. How many boxes remain in the supply room?

  • A) 29
  • B) 33
  • C) 41
  • D) 37

Correct answer: B

Explanation: Add incoming boxes: 48 + 37 = 85. Subtract shipments: 85 - 52 = 33 boxes remain.

2. Rina is paid $18 per hour. She works 6 hours on Thursday and 4.5 hours on Friday. How much does she earn for those two days?

  • A) $171
  • B) $180
  • C) $162
  • D) $189

Correct answer: D

Explanation: Total hours: 6 + 4.5 = 10.5. Earnings: 10.5 x 18 = 189 dollars.

3. A coat marked at $80 is discounted by 25%. What is the sale price?

  • A) $60
  • B) $55
  • C) $65
  • D) $70

Correct answer: A

Explanation: A 25% discount leaves 75% of the price. 0.75 x 80 = 60 dollars.

4. In a poll of 200 residents, 35% said they support the new transit plan. How many residents support the plan?

  • A) 65
  • B) 75
  • C) 70
  • D) 80

Correct answer: C

Explanation: 35% of 200 = 0.35 x 200 = 70 residents.

5. A smoothie recipe mixes berries and yogurt in a ratio of 3:5. How many cups of yogurt are needed if you use 12 cups of berries?

  • A) 15
  • B) 20
  • C) 18
  • D) 24

Correct answer: B

Explanation: The ratio 3:5 means yogurt is 5/3 of the berry amount. (5/3) x 12 = 20 cups of yogurt.

6. A copier prints 240 pages in 8 minutes at a steady rate. How many pages will it print in 15 minutes?

  • A) 450
  • B) 420
  • C) 480
  • D) 360

Correct answer: A

Explanation: Rate = 240 / 8 = 30 pages per minute. In 15 minutes: 30 x 15 = 450 pages.

7. If 4x - 7 = 21, what is the value of x?

  • A) 5
  • B) 6
  • C) 7
  • D) 8

Correct answer: C

Explanation: Add 7 to both sides: 4x = 28. Divide by 4: x = 7.

8. What number comes next in the series: 5, 11, 23, 47, ?

  • A) 71
  • B) 83
  • C) 89
  • D) 95

Correct answer: D

Explanation: Each term follows the rule (previous x 2) + 1. After 47: (47 x 2) + 1 = 95.

9. A rideshare service charges a $3.50 pickup fee plus $2.20 per mile. What is the total cost of a 7-mile trip?

  • A) $17.40
  • B) $18.90
  • C) $19.50
  • D) $16.80

Correct answer: B

Explanation: Mileage cost: 7 x 2.20 = 15.40. Total: 3.50 + 15.40 = 18.90 dollars.

10. The table shows units sold at a kiosk over four days.

Day Units Sold
Mon 42
Tue 58
Wed 55
Thu 65

What is the average number of units sold per day?

  • A) 52
  • B) 54
  • C) 55
  • D) 56

Correct answer: C

Explanation: Total units: 42 + 58 + 55 + 65 = 220. Average: 220 / 4 = 55 units per day.

Section 2: Verbal Reasoning Practice

11. TEACHER is to CLASSROOM as CHEF is to

  • A) MENU
  • B) RECIPE
  • C) INVENTORY
  • D) KITCHEN

Correct answer: D

Explanation: A teacher works in a classroom; a chef works in a kitchen. The analogy pairs a professional with a primary workplace.

12. FRAGILE is to BREAK as DROWSY is to

  • A) REST
  • B) SLEEP
  • C) YAWN
  • D) ALERT

Correct answer: B

Explanation: Fragile describes something likely to break; drowsy describes a state likely to lead to sleep.

13. Select the word closest in meaning to PERSPICACIOUS.

  • A) SHREWD
  • B) TIMID
  • C) NOISY
  • D) LAZY

Correct answer: A

Explanation: Perspicacious means keen and insightful. Shrewd is the closest match among the choices.

14. Select the word closest in meaning to URBANE.

  • A) RURAL
  • B) CLUMSY
  • C) REFINED
  • D) HARSH

Correct answer: C

Explanation: Urbane means polished and sophisticated in manner. Refined is the best synonym.

15. Select the word most nearly opposite in meaning to CONCISE.

  • A) BRIEF
  • B) TERSE
  • C) DIRECT
  • D) WORDY

Correct answer: D

Explanation: Concise means short and to the point. Wordy means using too many words, making it the clearest opposite.

16. Despite early setbacks, the project lead remained ___ and kept the team focused on its deadline.

  • A) PANICKED
  • B) RESOLUTE
  • C) APATHETIC
  • D) INDIFFERENT

Correct answer: B

Explanation: The sentence contrasts setbacks with continued focus. Resolute means determined and fits the positive continuation.

17. Which word does NOT belong with the others?

  • A) CANVAS
  • B) TRUMPET
  • C) FLUTE
  • D) TROMBONE

Correct answer: A

Explanation: Trumpet, flute, and trombone are musical instruments. Canvas is a fabric surface used for painting.

18. The festival committee delayed the outdoor concert after forecasts showed sustained heavy rain for the event weekend. What is the most reasonable inference?

  • A) The concert was permanently canceled
  • B) Organizers dislike rain in general
  • C) Safety and logistics concerns likely influenced the delay
  • D) No attendees would have arrived

Correct answer: C

Explanation: A weather-related postponement most plausibly reflects practical concerns about safety, equipment, and operations rather than permanent cancellation or total absence of attendance.

19. AUTHOR is to BOOK as COMPOSER is to

  • A) INSTRUMENT
  • B) STAGE
  • C) ORCHESTRA
  • D) SYMPHONY

Correct answer: D

Explanation: An author creates a book; a composer creates a symphony. Both pair a creator with a finished creative work.

Section 3: Logic and Problem Solving Practice

20. Four meetings are scheduled: Operations at 8:45, Finance at 9:00, HR at 10:30, and Legal at 11:00. Which list shows the meetings from earliest to latest?

  • A) Finance, Operations, HR, Legal
  • B) Operations, Finance, HR, Legal
  • C) Operations, HR, Finance, Legal
  • D) Finance, Operations, Legal, HR

Correct answer: B

Explanation: Ordering by start time: Operations 8:45, Finance 9:00, HR 10:30, Legal 11:00.

21. Rule: Every employee assigned to Zone A must wear safety glasses. Marcus is assigned to Zone A. What conclusion follows?

  • A) Marcus must wear safety glasses
  • B) Marcus may skip safety glasses
  • C) Marcus does not work in Zone A
  • D) Zone A has no safety requirements

Correct answer: A

Explanation: The rule applies to all Zone A employees. Because Marcus is in Zone A, he must wear safety glasses.

22. Rule: Any package weighing more than 50 pounds must be handled by two staff members. Package K weighs 63 pounds. What is required?

  • A) One staff member is sufficient
  • B) The package may be moved by machine only
  • C) Two staff members must handle it
  • D) Weight does not affect handling

Correct answer: C

Explanation: Because 63 is greater than 50, the package falls under the two-person handling rule.

23. If the status light on a server is green, the backup system is active. The backup system is not active. What must be true about the status light?

  • A) The light is green
  • B) The server is offline
  • C) The backup system is active
  • D) The light is not green

Correct answer: D

Explanation: This is the contrapositive of the conditional rule: if the backup is not active, the light cannot be green.

24. If today is Wednesday, a finance report is due Friday. If a report is due Friday, legal review must occur on Thursday. Today is Wednesday. What must occur?

  • A) Legal review must occur on Thursday
  • B) The report was due Monday
  • C) Legal review must occur today
  • D) No review is needed

Correct answer: A

Explanation: Wednesday means the report is due Friday, which triggers the requirement for legal review on Thursday.

25. Which number does NOT fit the same pattern as the others in this set: 2, 4, 8, 16, 31?

  • A) 2
  • B) 31
  • C) 8
  • D) 16

Correct answer: B

Explanation: The sequence doubles each time: 2, 4, 8, 16, and the next value should be 32. Thirty-one breaks the doubling pattern.

26. What word comes next in the sequence: HAT, IBU, JCV, KDW, ?

  • A) MEY
  • B) LEV
  • C) LEX
  • D) LFX

Correct answer: C

Explanation: Each letter advances by one position in the alphabet across all three places: H to I to J to K to L, A to B to C to D to E, and T to U to V to W to X. The next word is LEX.

27. Three switches in another room control three bulbs. You may enter the room only once. Which strategy can identify every switch-to-bulb mapping?

  • A) Turn all switches on, enter immediately, and guess
  • B) Flip only one switch and never turn it off
  • C) Turn each switch on for one second only
  • D) Turn switch 1 on for several minutes, turn it off, turn switch 2 on, then enter and check heat, off, and on bulbs

Correct answer: D

Explanation: Heat shows which bulb was lit by switch 1, the lit bulb maps to switch 2, and the remaining off bulb maps to switch 3.

28. In a race, Carter finishes before Dana but after Blake. Evan finishes after Dana. Which order lists the runners from first to last?

  • A) Blake, Carter, Dana, Evan
  • B) Carter, Blake, Dana, Evan
  • C) Blake, Dana, Carter, Evan
  • D) Carter, Dana, Blake, Evan

Correct answer: A

Explanation: Blake is before Carter, Carter is before Dana, and Evan is after Dana, giving Blake, Carter, Dana, Evan.

Section 4: Spatial and Abstract Reasoning Practice

29. The figures below alternate in a sequence. What should appear next?

Fig1 Fig2 Fig3 Fig4?

  • A) Filled square
  • B) Empty square outline
  • C) Triangle
  • D) Circle
Fig1   Fig2   Fig3   Fig4?
+---+  +---+  +---+  +---+
|XXX|  |   |  |XXX|  |   |
|XXX|  |   |  |XXX|  |   |
+---+  +---+  +---+  +---+

Diagram description: Alternating filled and empty square frames; next is empty square.

Correct answer: B

Explanation: The pattern alternates filled square, empty square, filled square, so the next figure should be an empty square outline.

30. A triangle rotates 90 degrees clockwise in each step. After pointing up, then right, then down, which direction comes next?

  • A) Up
  • B) Right
  • C) Left
  • D) Down
Step1  Step2  Step3  Step4?
 /\     >      \/      <
/  \   / \    /  \    / \
      v            ^

Diagram description: Triangle rotates clockwise from up to right to down; next is left.

Correct answer: C

Explanation: Clockwise rotation moves up to right to down to left, so the next position points left.

31. Each row and column in the matrix alternates symbols. What symbol belongs in the missing cell?

  • A) *
  • B) o
  • C) #
  • D) +
| * | o | * |
| o | * | o |
| ? | o | * |

Diagram description: Three-by-three grid with stars and circles alternating; bottom-left cell missing.

Correct answer: A

Explanation: Rows alternate * and o, and column 1 alternates * and o from top to bottom. The missing cell in row 3, column 1 must be *.

32. Arrows in the matrix follow a repeating direction pattern by row and column. What arrow completes the grid?

  • A) v
  • B) <
  • C) ^
  • D) >
| > | v | > |
| v | > | v |
| > | v | ? |

Diagram description: Three-by-three arrow grid alternating right and down; bottom-right missing.

Correct answer: D

Explanation: Each row alternates right and down arrows. Row 3 begins with right, then down, so the final cell must be right (>).

33. An L-shaped block rotates 90 degrees clockwise two times from its starting position. Which orientation matches the result?

  • A) Vertical bar on the left
  • B) Vertical bar on the right
  • C) Horizontal bar on top
  • D) Horizontal bar on bottom
Start      90 CW      180 CW
X          XX         XX
X          X           X
XX                     X

Diagram description: L-shape rotates twice clockwise; vertical segment ends on the right.

Correct answer: B

Explanation: Two 90-degree clockwise turns equal a 180-degree turn. The short arm that started at bottom-left ends so that the long vertical bar is on the right.

34. An arrow starts pointing north and rotates 45 degrees clockwise at each step. After three rotations, which direction does it point?

  • A) North
  • B) Northeast
  • C) Southeast
  • D) Southwest
Start   Turn1   Turn2   Turn3
  ^       /       >       \
  N      NE       E      SE

Diagram description: Arrow rotates 45 degrees clockwise three times from north to southeast.

Correct answer: C

Explanation: Three 45-degree clockwise turns from north move to northeast, then east, then southeast.

35. The shape on the left is reflected over a vertical mirror line. Which result is correct?

  • A) Shape with the notch on the right
  • B) Shape with the notch on top
  • C) Upside-down shape
  • D) Shape unchanged
Original   Mirror   Result
XXX         |        XXX
X..         |        ..X
X..         |        ..X

Diagram description: L-shaped block with notch on left reflects to notch on right.

Correct answer: A

Explanation: A vertical reflection flips left and right, so the notch that was on the left moves to the right.

36. A dot moves clockwise to the next corner of a square at each step. It begins at the top-left corner and moves three times. Where is the dot?

  • A) Top-left
  • B) Top-right
  • C) Bottom-right
  • D) Bottom-left
Start   Move1   Move2   Move3
*....   .*...   ...*.   ....*
....    ....    ....    ....
....    ....    ....    ....
....    ....    ....    ....

Diagram description: Dot moves clockwise around square corners to bottom-left.

Correct answer: D

Explanation: Clockwise corner order: top-left, top-right, bottom-right, bottom-left. After three moves, the dot is at the bottom-left corner.

37. Four shapes are shown. Three are rotations of the same figure. Which one is the odd one out?

  • A) Shape A
  • B) Shape B
  • C) Shape C
  • D) Shape D
A      B      C      D
XX.    .XX    ..X    XXX
X..    ..X    ..X    ..X
X..    ..X    .XX    ...

Diagram description: Four 3x3 L shapes; A, C, and D are rotations of one L, while B is a left-right mirror.

Correct answer: B

Explanation: Shape A rotated 180 degrees produces shape C. Shape A rotated 90 degrees clockwise produces shape D. Shape B is the left-right mirror of A, so it cannot be made by rotation alone.

38. Rule 1: Every circle contains a dot. Rule 2: Every square contains a cross. Which option follows both rules?

  • A) Circle with no dot and square with cross
  • B) Circle with dot and square with no mark
  • C) Circle with dot and square with cross
  • D) Circle with cross and square with dot
Rule1: (o) has dot   Rule2: [+] has cross
Valid: (.) and [x]

Diagram description: Circle must contain dot; square must contain cross.

Correct answer: C

Explanation: Only the option with a dot inside the circle and a cross inside the square satisfies both rules at once.

Section 5: CCAT Format and Scoring Literacy

39. The Criteria Cognitive Aptitude Test (CCAT) is developed and published by which company?

Correct answer: D

Explanation: The CCAT is a product of Criteria, the assessment publisher. JobTestPrep and AptitudeTests.org are separate preparation providers.

40. How many questions are on the standard CCAT?

  • A) 40
  • B) 50
  • C) 60
  • D) 45

Correct answer: B

Explanation: The standard CCAT contains 50 questions. Candidates must work quickly because the time limit is only 15 minutes.

41. What is the time limit on the standard CCAT?

  • A) 15 minutes
  • B) 20 minutes
  • C) 12 minutes
  • D) 30 minutes

Correct answer: A

Explanation: The CCAT allows 15 minutes to answer 50 questions, which is why pacing matters on the live assessment.

42. On the CCAT, what does a raw score represent?

  • A) The percentage of questions answered correctly
  • B) A time-adjusted score
  • C) The number of questions answered correctly
  • D) A weighted score by item difficulty

Correct answer: C

Explanation: The raw score is simply the count of correct answers. It is not the same as a percentage or percentile.

43. A CCAT percentile score of 70 means the candidate

  • A) answered 70% of questions correctly
  • B) scored equal to or higher than 70% of the comparison group
  • C) answered 70 questions correctly
  • D) completed 70% of the test

Correct answer: B

Explanation: A percentile is a relative standing score. It shows how the candidate ranked against a reference group, not the percent of items correct.

44. Who typically decides what CCAT score is acceptable for a hiring decision?

  • A) Criteria sets one national pass mark for all employers
  • B) The candidate chooses the benchmark
  • C) Federal law sets a fixed cutoff
  • D) Each employer sets its own benchmark

Correct answer: D

Explanation: Employers choose the score thresholds that fit their roles and hiring standards. Criteria provides the assessment, but employers control benchmark decisions.

45. AptitudeTests.org and JobTestPrep are best described as

  • A) independent third-party preparation providers, not part of Criteria
  • B) subsidiaries owned by Criteria
  • C) official CCAT administrators
  • D) required vendors for taking the CCAT

Correct answer: A

Explanation: Both sites offer practice and preparation resources, but they are not Criteria and do not administer the official CCAT.

Practice Answer Key

  1. B
  2. D
  3. A
  4. C
  5. B
  6. A
  7. C
  8. D
  9. B
  10. C
  11. D
  12. B
  13. A
  14. C
  15. D
  16. B
  17. A
  18. C
  19. D
  20. B
  21. A
  22. C
  23. D
  24. A
  25. B
  26. C
  27. D
  28. A
  29. B
  30. C
  31. A
  32. D
  33. B
  34. C
  35. A
  36. D
  37. B
  38. C
  39. D
  40. B
  41. A
  42. C
  43. B
  44. D
  45. A

Educational Practice Scoring

Use these ranges only for the unofficial questions on this page:

  • 41-45 correct: Strong CCAT-style preparation baseline
  • 35-40 correct: Good preparation level
  • 27-34 correct: Moderate readiness
  • 18-26 correct: Needs focused review by skill area
  • 17 or fewer correct: Review fundamentals and retry untimed, then timed

These ranges apply only to the unofficial questions on this page. They are not a Criteria raw score, percentile, employer cutoff, pass result, interview decision, or employment prediction.

Unofficial Timing Practice

Complete the set untimed first. Then, if useful, try these unofficial drills:

  • 10 numerical questions in 12 minutes
  • 9 verbal questions in 8 minutes
  • 9 logic questions in 10 minutes
  • 10 spatial questions in 12 minutes
  • 7 literacy questions in 5 minutes
  • all 45 questions in about 45-50 minutes for study pacing
  • a later drill aiming closer to CCAT pressure (for example, 40 mixed items in 12 minutes)

These timings are unofficial study aids. They do not reproduce Criteria’s exact 50-question / 15-minute session.

How to Prepare for the CCAT

Confirm your invitation names the Criteria CCAT. Memorize the live format: 50 questions, 15 minutes, no calculator. Read Criteria’s candidate tips. Take an untimed diagnostic across verbal, numerical, logic, and spatial skills, then drill weak areas. Practise moving on when an item becomes a time trap. Use timed simulations only as unofficial practice. Confirm device, quiet space, and deadline. Follow only the instructions in your real session. Do not search for claimed leaked official items.

Official Criteria Resources

When your invitation covers several skill areas, broader Assessment test preparation can support mixed review before test day.

When your invitation covers several skill areas, broader Abstract reasoning preparation can support mixed review before test day.

For ranked-response or work-style sections, numerical reasoning preparation may also be useful when you need extra drills under time pressure.

FAQ

What is the CCAT?

It is Criteria’s Criteria Cognitive Aptitude Test: a 50-question, 15-minute cognitive aptitude assessment used in hiring, per current Criteria public materials.

Do you need to finish all 50 questions?

No. Criteria materials state that very few candidates finish all items. Focus on correct answers under time pressure.

Can you use a calculator?

Criteria candidate guidance says calculators are not allowed. Confirm any session-specific instructions.

What score do you need?

There is no universal public employer cutoff. Raw score and percentile are interpreted in the employer’s process.

Are these official Criteria questions?

No.