CCAT test: format, scoring, question types and how to prepare
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Start practising freeThe CCAT (Criteria Cognitive Aptitude Test) is a 15-minute, 50-question aptitude test that employers use to measure problem solving and how quickly you learn. Questions mix verbal, math and logic, and spatial reasoning, at an average of 18 seconds each. Almost nobody finishes: Criteria says fewer than 1% answer all 50, and the average is about 24 correct. So the test rewards fast, accurate choices and smart skipping more than perfection. For the wider family of tests, see our cognitive ability tests guide.
- 50 questions, 15 minutes: about 18 seconds per question.
- Three question types: verbal, math and logic, spatial reasoning.
- Average score ≈ 24/50, which Criteria's sample report puts at the 50th percentile.
- No calculator. No penalty for wrong answers, so never leave one blank.
- Employers see your raw score and percentile, plus verbal, math & logic and spatial sub-scores.
- forge has 600 CCAT-style questions in 50 timed tests.
Free sample question
CCAT-style question
Maths, series, logic or spatial, in the CCAT format. Real CCAT pace is about 18 seconds a question.
One question in the real format, with the worked solution · no signup
Quick summary
- The CCAT has 50 questions and a 15-minute limit; fewer than 1% of candidates finish.
- It covers verbal ability, math and logic, and spatial reasoning, mixed together.
- The average raw score is about 24, roughly the 50th percentile.
- No calculators are allowed and there is no penalty for guessing.
- Practise mental maths, each question type, and the 18-second pace with skipping.
CCAT format at a glance
| Questions | 50, multiple choice |
|---|---|
| Time limit | 15 minutes (one clock for the whole test) |
| Pace | About 18 seconds per question |
| Question types | Verbal; math and logic; spatial reasoning |
| Calculator | Not allowed |
| Wrong answers | No penalty |
| Scores sent to employer | Raw score (out of 50) and percentile; sub-scores by area |
| Average | About 24 correct (norm mean 24.2) |
| Languages | English (US and UK); Criteria's UCAT is a language-independent alternative |
What's on the CCAT?
Criteria groups the questions into three areas, and they come in a mixed order:
- Verbal: antonyms, analogies and sentence completion. See CCAT verbal questions.
- Math and logic: word problems, percentages, averages, number series, and deductive questions such as "which conclusion follows". See CCAT math questions and CCAT logic questions.
- Spatial reasoning: shape sequences, odd-one-out and matrix puzzles. See CCAT spatial reasoning.
How is the CCAT scored?
Your raw score is the number of questions you got right. Criteria converts it to a percentile against its comparison group, and employers receive both, plus sub-scores for spatial reasoning, verbal ability, and math and logic. Criteria's norm group averages 24.2 correct (standard deviation 8.6). In its sample report, a raw 24 is the 50th percentile.
Employers set their own bar, often by role. Criteria's reports suggest score ranges per position, so a strong score for one job may be borderline for another. Read our CCAT score guide for what counts as good.
Who uses the CCAT?
Criteria says the CCAT has been taken more than 10 million times and recommends it for mid- to high-level roles that need problem solving, such as managers, software engineers, financial analysts and auditors. It is most common in the US. The US Marine Corps switched to the CCAT in 2020 to help assign officers to roles, and candidates report that remote-work employers such as Crossover use it early in hiring. Employers rarely announce which test they use, so your invitation is the reliable guide.
Practise the CCAT on forge
600 CCAT-style questions: 10 full 20-question simulations at real pace, plus 10 focused drills each for verbal, math, logic and spatial.
See CCAT practiceHow to prepare for the CCAT
1. Get your mental maths fast
No calculator means percentages, fractions and averages have to come quickly. Our mental maths and estimation guide covers the shortcuts.
2. Learn each question type separately
Spend a session each on verbal, math, logic and spatial questions until each feels familiar. Spatial and series questions get much faster once you know the handful of patterns they use.
3. Train the pace, including skipping
The real skill is triage: answer what you can in 10 to 20 seconds, guess and move on from anything slow. Criteria's own advice is to guess and move on after about a minute; in practice, the strongest scorers move on much sooner. Our time management guide explains the method.
4. Finish with full simulations
In the last few days, take complete timed tests, then review every miss by type. See our free CCAT practice test to start.
CCAT versus other aptitude tests
Compared with SHL or Aon graduate tests, the CCAT is shorter, faster and more mixed: one 15-minute clock for everything rather than separate numerical and verbal tests. It is closer to the Wonderlic in style. If you also face SHL tests, see our SHL test guide.
Source notes
Question count, timing, question types, the no-calculator and no-penalty rules, the less-than-1%-finish figure and the average of about 24 come from Criteria's candidate CCAT page. Norm statistics, languages, recommended roles and administrations from the CCAT product page; the 24 = 50th percentile example and sub-scores from Criteria's sample score report; the Marine Corps from Criteria's 2020 press release. Crossover's use is reported by candidates and prep sites. All checked 2 October 2026. CCAT is a trademark of Criteria Corp; forge is independent and not affiliated with Criteria.
Frequently asked questions
What is the CCAT test?
The CCAT (Criteria Cognitive Aptitude Test) is a pre-employment aptitude test from Criteria Corp. It has 50 multiple-choice questions on verbal, math and logic, and spatial reasoning, with a 15-minute time limit. Employers use it to measure problem solving, critical thinking and how quickly you learn.
How many questions are on the CCAT and how long do you get?
50 questions in 15 minutes, which is 18 seconds per question on average. Criteria says fewer than 1% of candidates answer all 50, so you aren't expected to finish.
What is the average CCAT score?
Criteria says the average test-taker gets about 24 questions right out of 50. In Criteria's sample score report, a raw score of 24 corresponds to the 50th percentile.
Can you use a calculator on the CCAT?
No. Criteria's candidate guidance says calculators are not allowed. The maths is designed to be done mentally or with quick working, so practise mental arithmetic.
Is there a penalty for wrong answers on the CCAT?
No. Criteria says there is no penalty for wrong answers, so never leave a question blank. If you've spent more than about a minute on a question, Criteria advises making an educated guess and moving on.
Which companies use the CCAT?
Criteria says the CCAT has been taken more than 10 million times and recommends it for mid- to high-level roles. The US Marine Corps adopted it in 2020 to guide officer job assignments, and candidates report that remote-work employers such as Crossover use it. It is most common in the US.
Beat the 15-minute clock
Full CCAT-style simulations at 18 seconds a question, with explanations for every answer. Credits never expire.
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