(price − cost) ÷ cost × 100

Decide if it's a rotation, reflection, series, matrix, or odd-one-out item

Rotate or flip the figure one step (90°) at a time

Mirror images are the most common wrong answer — eliminate them first

Drop any choice with an extra or missing dot, side, or shaded region

For series, identify what changes figure to figure (rotation, size, count, shading)

How long is the CCAT?

The CCAT gives you 15 minutes for up to 50 questions. There is no separate timing per section — math & logic, verbal, and spatial questions are mixed together inside the single 15-minute window, so you manage the clock across all three on your own.

What is a good CCAT score?

Your raw score is the number correct out of 50, and the average is about 24. There is no universal passing score — employers set target ranges by role. Criteria publishes suggested ranges by job family (for example, 24–39 for Accounting/Finance positions), and a higher percentile is always more competitive.

What does the CCAT measure?

It measures cognitive aptitude — your ability to learn, reason, and solve problems — across three categories: Math & Logic (numbers and logic), Verbal Ability (words and comprehension), and Spatial Reasoning (visualizing shapes). Employers use it because aptitude predicts how quickly someone learns a new role.

Is there a passing score on the CCAT?

No. The CCAT has no single passing score. You receive a raw score (out of 50) and a percentile rank, plus a sub-score for each category. Employers compare your result to a target range for the specific job, so what counts as competitive depends entirely on the role.

Can you use a calculator on the CCAT?

No. Criteria does not allow calculators on the CCAT, and notes that none of the questions require one. Practice mental math, fraction-to-percent conversions, and quick estimation instead, since reaching for tools costs the seconds you need on a heavily timed test.

What is the difference between the CCAT and the UCAT?

Both are Criteria cognitive tests. The CCAT has 50 questions in 15 minutes and includes verbal items. The UCAT (Universal Cognitive Aptitude Test) is a 40-question, 20-minute, language-independent version that drops the verbal section so it can be used fairly with non-native English speakers.

How should I use this CCAT study guide?

Work through the three category modules — Math & Logic, Verbal Ability, and Spatial Reasoning — take each checkpoint to find gaps, then drill your weakest category with our free practice questions and flashcards. Because the test is heavily timed, also rehearse the 15-minute pacing.

Is this CCAT study guide free?

Yes — the full guide, the checkpoints, the glossary, the practice questions, and the flashcards are 100% free, with no account required.

How do you find the next number in a CCAT number series?

Look for the rule that turns each term into the next. First test for a constant difference (arithmetic, like +4): 5, 9, 13, 17 → 21. If that fails, test for a constant multiplier (geometric, like × 2): 3, 6, 12, 24 → 48. If neither fits, look for squares, a growing gap, or two sequences woven together. Number series are a common Math and Logic item, which measures your ability to reason with numbers and numerical concepts. For tricky series, check whether the odd-position and even-position numbers each follow their own pattern.

How do you solve a CCAT word problem without a calculator?

Translate the words into a quick calculation: name what's asked, label the numbers, and set up the relationship — part = percent × whole, or distance = rate × time. Then do the mental math. Criteria allows no calculators, so memorized conversions and clean setups matter more than heavy computation. Criteria's Math and Logic questions include word problems, basic algebra, and proportions, all solved by hand. Memorizing common fraction-to-percent conversions (½ = 50%, ¼ = 25%, ⅕ = 20%) saves precious seconds on a 15-minute test.

How do you find a percentage of a number quickly?

Use part = percent × whole, turning the percent into a decimal first (35% = 0.35, so 35% of 80 = 28). To find what percent one number is of another, divide the part by the whole and multiply by 100. For percent change, divide the change by the original: a price rising from 40 to 50 is a 25% increase (10 ÷ 40). Proportions and percentages are named Math and Logic content on the CCAT. To take 10% of a number, move the decimal one place left; build other percents from there (5% is half of 10%, 20% is double).

What is a syllogism, and how do you judge whether it's valid?

A syllogism is a deductive argument with two premises and a conclusion: 'All A are B; all B are C; therefore all A are C.' It is valid when the conclusion must follow from the premises, regardless of whether the premises are actually true. Judge the form, not real-world facts — accept the premises as given. Criteria's Math and Logic category measures logic and analytical thinking alongside numerical reasoning. Watch invalid forms: 'some A are B; some B are C' does not prove any A are C, and a statement does not reverse — 'all A are B' is not 'all B are A.'

What is the difference between deductive and inductive reasoning?

Deductive reasoning goes from general rules to a specific, guaranteed conclusion — if all premises are true, the conclusion must be true (syllogisms). Inductive reasoning goes from specific examples to a probable general rule — spotting the pattern in a number or figure series and predicting what comes next. Both kinds of reasoning appear on the CCAT: deduction in logic items, induction in series and pattern items. Use deduction for statement-and-conclusion items, and induction for series and figure-pattern items.

How do you solve a verbal analogy question?

Find the relationship inside the first word pair, state it in your own words, then apply the same relationship to the second pair. In 'painter is to brush as writer is to ___,' the relationship is 'uses as their tool,' so the answer is pen. Naming the link first stops you from picking a related-but-wrong word. Analogies test verbal ability — reading, comprehension of words, and constructive thinking under time pressure. Watch for choices that are topically related but don't fit the exact relationship — only one option matches the link you named.

What does a CCAT word-comparison or antonym question ask?

A word-comparison item gives two words and asks how they relate — similar, opposite, or unrelated in meaning. An antonym item asks for the word most nearly opposite to a given word (the opposite of 'transparent' is 'opaque'). Both test vocabulary and how quickly you judge meaning. Criteria names sentence completion, vocabulary, and word-comparison questions as Verbal Ability content. For antonyms, the answer is the clear opposite — eliminate choices that are merely related to the original word.

How do you answer a sentence-completion question?

Read the whole sentence and use context clues to pick the word that fits the blank. Signal words are the key: 'although,' 'despite,' and 'however' flag a contrast, so choose a word that opposes the rest; 'because,' 'since,' and 'therefore' flag cause, so choose a word that agrees. Sentence completion is an officially named Verbal Ability question type on the CCAT. Eliminate choices that clash with the sentence's tone first — there is usually one clear opposite you can drop immediately.

How do you handle a spatial shape-rotation question?

Picture the shape turned or flipped one step at a time and compare it to each choice, ruling out mirror images and figures with an extra or missing part. A reflection can never be reached by rotation, so mirror-image options are the most common trap — eliminate them first. Spatial reasoning measures the ability to visualize objects in physical space and make spatial judgments. Eliminate the obvious wrong answers (wrong orientation, mirror flips, wrong count) first to narrow the choices fast.

How do you solve a figure-series or 'next in series' question?

Identify what changes from one figure to the next — a rotation, a growing count, a size change, or a shift in shading — then continue that rule. If two things change at once (a shape rotates and its shading flips), track each rule separately, then combine them to predict the next figure. Next-in-series figures ask you to recognize a visual pattern and extend it, a core spatial-reasoning skill. Fix a reference point (an arrow tip or a dot) to lock the direction of any rotation between steps.

How do you solve a figure-matrix question?

A figure matrix is a grid (often 3×3) with one cell missing, where each row and column follows a rule. Read across a complete row and down a complete column to find the pattern — a rotation, an added element, or a shading change — then pick the figure that satisfies both the row rule and the column rule. Matrix items test pattern recognition, which Criteria lists among spatial-reasoning skills. The missing cell must satisfy the rule in both directions, so always check the row AND the column before choosing.

How do you answer an 'odd one out' question?

Several figures share a feature and one breaks it. Find the rule the group has in common — the same orientation, the same number of sides, or an inner shape that touches the border — then pick the single figure that violates it. Judge the relationship, not the individual shapes. Criteria's sample spatial item is a 'which does not belong' (odd-one-out) question that asks you to identify the outlier. Once you name the shared rule, the exception usually stands out quickly — don't overthink the figures themselves.

The Criteria Cognitive Aptitude Test — a timed, pre-employment cognitive ability test by Criteria Corp. It has 50 multiple-choice questions and a 15-minute limit, drawing on math & logic, verbal ability, and spatial reasoning.

The assessment company (now branded simply 'Criteria') that publishes the CCAT and a wider platform of pre-employment tests. Employers use Criteria's tests to screen and compare job applicants.

A person's capacity to learn, reason, solve problems, and understand instructions — the broad mental ability the CCAT is designed to measure.

A test that estimates a person's potential to learn and perform, rather than what they already know about a specific job — the CCAT is an aptitude test, not a knowledge test.

The CCAT category that measures reasoning with numbers and numerical concepts, plus logical and analytical thinking — number series, word problems, ratios, percentages, basic algebra, and deduction.

The CCAT category measuring the ability to visualize objects in physical space and make spatial judgments — figure series, matrices, shape rotation and reflection, and odd-one-out items.

The number of questions you answer correctly on the CCAT, out of 50. One point per correct answer, with no penalty for wrong answers.

How your score compares with a norm group. A 90th-percentile score means you outperformed 90% of the people in that comparison group.

The large reference sample your result is compared against. Criteria norms the CCAT against a global group of hundreds of thousands of test-takers.

A separate percentile for each of the three CCAT categories (Math & Logic, Verbal Ability, Spatial Reasoning), so an employer can see your strengths within the overall result.

A suggested target band of raw scores Criteria provides for a job family, or a band an employer sets themselves. There is no single universal passing score on the CCAT.

A test where performance is limited mainly by time rather than difficulty. The CCAT is heavily speeded — fewer than 1% of candidates answer all 50 questions in 15 minutes.

FREE CCAT Study Guide 2026 + Quizzes & Readiness Score

This free CCAT study guide teaches the — the short, fast-paced exam employers use to gauge how quickly you learn, reason, and solve problems.^[1] The test packs 50 questions into 15 minutes, so success depends on both knowing the question categories and moving quickly.

It’s interactive, not a wall of text: every category has a built-in checkpoint quiz, hover-able glossary terms, worked examples, labeled diagrams, and concept questions, so you learn by doing.

Work through the three category modules, test yourself at each checkpoint, then round out your free CCAT prep with our practice questions and flashcards.

CCAT Exam Snapshot

CCAT at a glance (2026)
Detail	CCAT
What it is	A pre-employment cognitive aptitude test by Criteria Corp
Format	50 multiple-choice questions, 15 minutes (~18 seconds each)
Categories	Math & Logic, Verbal Ability, Spatial Reasoning (mixed together)
Score	Raw score (number correct, 0–50) + percentile rank + per-category sub-scores
Average raw score	About 24 out of 50 (fewer than 1% finish all 50)
Passing score	None set by Criteria — employers set target ranges by role
Calculator	Not allowed (no question requires one)
Related test	UCAT — a 40-question, 20-minute, language-independent version
Publisher	Criteria Corp (now 'Criteria')

The most important thing to understand about the CCAT is that it is a : the 15-minute clock is the real challenge.^[1] The questions measure — your capacity to learn, reason, and solve problems — which employers value because aptitude predicts how quickly someone picks up a new role.^[2] The average test-taker answers about 24 of 50 correctly, and fewer than 1% reach all 50, so the test is built to be unfinishable.^[1]

What the CCAT asks — three question categories

The 50-question test mixes all three categories together and gets harder as you go. Math & Logic and Verbal items make up the bulk of the questions; spatial items round it out — and no category is timed separately, so you triage on the fly.

Math & Logic

Number & letter series
Arithmetic word problems
Percentages, ratios & fractions
Basic algebra reasoning
Reading charts & graphs
Logical deduction (true / false / uncertain)

Verbal Reasoning

Analogies (A : B :: C : ?)
Antonyms (opposite words)
Sentence completion
Vocabulary in context

Spatial Reasoning

Next-in-series figures
Figure matrices (3×3 grids)
Shape rotation & reflection
Paper folding
Odd-one-out

Criteria draws the 50 questions from three categories, mixed together in increasing difficulty.^[3] This guide teaches all three as three study modules— Math & Logic and Verbal Ability (which carry most of the questions) first, then Spatial Reasoning. Criteria does not publish an exact split, but math/logic and verbal items make up the bulk of the test:

Roughly how the CCAT mixes its three categories (2026, approximate)

Math & Logic (numbers & reasoning)40% · largest share

Verbal Ability (words & comprehension)35% · ≈ tied for largest

Spatial Reasoning (figures & shapes)25% · wordless visual items

1 · Math & Logic

Math & Logic measures your ability to reason with numbers, plus logical and analytical thinking.^[3] You solve everything without a calculator, so fast setup and clean mental math beat heavy computation — the numbers are usually friendly on purpose.^[1]

Number & letter series

A follows a hidden rule and asks for the next or missing term. Test for a constant difference (an ) first, then a constant multiplier (a ); if neither fits, look for squares, a growing gap, or two sequences woven together. Letter series work the same way — just count the step between letters in the alphabet.

Number-series patterns — find the rule, then the next term

Number series are the most common CCAT Math & Logic item. Check first for a constant difference (arithmetic), then a constant multiplier (geometric); if neither fits, look for squares, a growing gap, or two sequences woven together.

Arithmetic (add/subtract a constant)

5, 9, 13, 17, 21, …

Rule: +4 each step → next term: 25

Arithmetic (decreasing)

100, 90, 80, 70, 60, …

Rule: −10 each step → next term: 50

Geometric (multiply by a constant)

3, 6, 12, 24, 48, …

Rule: × 2 each step → next term: 96

Perfect squares

1, 4, 9, 16, 25, …

Rule: 1², 2², 3², 4², 5² → next term: 36

Growing gap

1, 2, 4, 7, 11, 16, …

Rule: gaps grow +1, +2, +3, +4, +5 → next term: 22

Interleaved (two woven sequences)

7, 14, 9, 18, 11, …

Rule: odd spots +2; even spots × 2 → next term: 22

Word problems, ratios & percentages

Word problems turn a real situation into a quick calculation. The skill is translation: name what’s asked, label the numbers, set up the right relationship — Criteria’s math items include word problems, proportions, and percentages — then solve.^[1]

The arithmetic relationships you'll use most
Problem type	Set it up as
Distance / rate / time	distance = rate × time
Percent	part = percent × whole
Percent change	change ÷ original × 100
Ratio / proportion	a / b = c / d (cross-multiply)
Markup	(price − cost) ÷ cost × 100
Average (mean)	sum of values ÷ count

Memorize these fraction ↔ percent conversions
Fraction	Decimal	Percent
½	0.5	50%
¼	0.25	25%
¾	0.75	75%
⅓	0.333…	≈ 33%
⅕	0.2	20%
⅛	0.125	12.5%

Algebra & logical deduction

Math & Logic also includes basic algebra (solve a one-variable equation) and short logical deduction.^[3] In a deduction item you assume statements are true, then judge a conclusion. The discipline is to use only — accept exactly what the statements say, no more.

Checkpoint · Math & Logic

Question 1 of 10

What number should come next in this series? 3, 6, 12, 24, 48, …

2 · Verbal Ability

Verbal Ability tests reading and comprehension of words, logic, constructive thinking, and attention to detail.^[3]Criteria names sentence completion, vocabulary, and word-comparison questions; you’ll also see analogies and antonyms. The skill is judging meaning and relationships fast.

Analogies

An takes the form A is to B as C is to ? The skill is to name the relationship in the first pair, then apply the very same relationship to the second pair before you look at the choices.

Verbal formats — analogy vs. antonym

Analogy

Find the relationship in the first pair, apply it to the second.

PAINTER : BRUSH :: WRITER : ?

Relationship = uses as their tool → answer: PEN

Antonym

Pick the word most nearly opposite in meaning.

Opposite of TRANSPARENT?

Opaque ✓ClearFragile

For analogies, name the relationship in words before you look at the choices. For antonyms, scan for the word that means the clear opposite — and watch for traps that are merely related to the original word.

Common analogy relationships on the CCAT
Relationship	Example pair
Worker → tool	painter : brush
Instrument → what it measures	thermometer : temperature
Young → adult	puppy : dog
Storehouse → contents	library : books
Property → outcome	fragile : shatter
Professional → person served	doctor : patient

Antonyms & word comparison

An item asks for the word most nearly opposite in meaning to a given word. A asks whether two words are similar, opposite, or unrelated. Strong vocabulary and a feel for word polarity make these fast.

High-yield vocabulary for CCAT word items
Word	Meaning	Relationship to…
Transparent	able to be seen through	antonym of 'opaque'
Rigid	stiff, unbending	antonym of 'flexible'
Benevolent	kind, generous	synonym of 'generous'
Frugal	thrifty, sparing	antonym of 'wasteful'
Candid	honest, frank	synonym of 'forthright'
Tenacious	persistent, determined	synonym of 'dogged'

Sentence completion & vocabulary

A item asks you to choose the word that best fills a blank. The key is signal words: “although,” “despite,” and “however” flag a contrast, while “because” and “therefore” flag cause.

Checkpoint · Verbal Ability

Question 1 of 10

PAINTER is to BRUSH as WRITER is to which of the following?

3 · Spatial Reasoning

Spatial Reasoning measures your ability to visualize objects in physical space and make spatial judgments.^[3] These items are wordless — you rotate, flip, complete, or compare figures — so a fixed routine keeps you fast, and practice moves the needle the most because they test reasoning, not memorized facts.

Spatial-reasoning playbook — four moves for every figure item

Spatial questions are wordless, so a fixed routine keeps you fast. Run these four moves on rotation, series, matrix, and odd-one-out items alike.

1Identify the operation

Decide first whether the item is a rotation, reflection, next-in-series, matrix, or odd-one-out — each has its own attack.

2Transform one step at a time

Rotate or flip the figure in your mind in single 90° turns rather than trying to picture the whole change at once.

3Rule out mirror images

A reflection can never be reached by rotation, so mirror-image options are the most common trap — eliminate them first.

4Count the parts

Drop any choice with an extra or missing element — dots, sides, or shaded regions must match exactly.

Figure series & matrices

A figure series changes by a rule — a rotation, a growing count, a size change, or shading — and asks what comes next. A is a grid (often 3×3) with a missing cell; read across a complete row and down a complete column to deduce the missing figure.

Rotation, reflection & paper folding

Rotation items turn a figure; reflection items flip it. Rotate the figure in your mind one step at a time and rule out mirror images — a reflection can never be reached by rotation, so mirror-image options are the most common trap.^[1] A item folds a sheet, punches it, and asks where the holes appear when it’s unfolded — each fold doubles a hole symmetrically.

How to attack spatial & figure questions
Step	What to do
Read the task	Decide if it's a rotation, reflection, series, matrix, or odd-one-out item
Transform mentally	Rotate or flip the figure one step (90°) at a time
Rule out mirrors	Mirror images are the most common wrong answer — eliminate them first
Count the parts	Drop any choice with an extra or missing dot, side, or shaded region
Match the pattern	For series, identify what changes figure to figure (rotation, size, count, shading)

Odd-one-out

In an item, several figures share a feature and one breaks it. Find the shared rule — the same orientation, the same number of sides, or an inner shape touching the border — then pick the figure that violates it. Judge the relationship, not the individual shapes.^[4]

Checkpoint · Spatial Reasoning

Question 1 of 10

A spatial 'next in series' question shows four figures: a square with 1 dot, a square with 2 dots, a square with 3 dots, and a square with 4 dots. Each figure adds one dot in a fixed reading order. How many dots should the next square in the series contain?

CCAT Scores Explained

Your is simply the number of questions you answer correctly, from 0 to 50, with one point each and no penalty for wrong answers.^[3] Criteria also reports a comparing you to a global , plus a for each of the three categories. The average raw score is about 24.^[1]

How a CCAT result is reported

Your result is a raw score and a percentile rank — there is no fixed passing score. Employers compare candidates against a target range for the specific job, so a competitive score depends entirely on the role.

Raw score

Number correct out of 50 — 1 point each, no penalty for wrong answers

Percentile rank

How you compare to a norm group — a 90th-percentile score beat 90% of test-takers

Employer benchmark

A target score range the employer sets for THAT role — there is no universal pass mark

The average CCAT raw score is about 24 out of 50, and fewer than 1% of candidates answer all 50. Because there is no universal pass, aim to maximize your raw score: answer every question you can, and never leave a blank since wrong answers carry no penalty.

There is no universal passing score on the CCAT. Employers set their own target based on how cognitively demanding a job is, and Criteria provides suggested ranges by job family — for example, a suggested range of 24–39 for Accounting/Finance positions.^[3] A higher percentile is always more competitive, so aim to maximize your raw score and never leave a blank.

How to Use This Study Guide

A study guide is a map, not the whole territory — use it alongside timed practice and our free tools. Because the CCAT is heavily speeded, pacing is a skill you have to rehearse, not just knowledge to absorb.

A 15-minute game plan for the CCAT

Because the CCAT is heavily speeded, your pacing matters as much as your knowledge. Run this plan on every timed practice test until it is automatic.

1. Set the pace: ~18 seconds per question50 questions ÷ 15 minutes ≈ 18 seconds each. The test is built to be too long to finish — very few candidates answer all 50, so speed is part of the score.
2. Bank the easy points firstQuestions get harder as you go, so move efficiently through the early ones while they're simplest.
3. Triage across categories on the flyMath, verbal, and spatial items are mixed together. If a question type is slow for you, make a quick choice and keep moving rather than stalling.
4. Skip the calculator; do mental mathUse memorized fraction-to-percent conversions and clean setups — reaching for a calculator wastes the seconds you need elsewhere.
5. Answer everything before time runs outThere's no penalty for a wrong answer, so guess on anything left — a blank scores the same as a wrong answer, but a guess might be right.

A study loop that actually works

1
Learn the question categories
Work the three modules so every format — number series, analogy, antonym, figure matrix — is instantly familiar.
2
Take the checkpoint
The quick check at the end of each module exposes what didn't stick.
3
Drill the gaps
Send your weakest category straight into the free practice questions and flashcards.
4
Rehearse the 15-minute clock
Take full, timed practice runs so your ~18-seconds-per-question pace is automatic on test day.

CCAT Concept Questions

The kinds of reasoning the CCAT actually measures — at least one per category. Tap any card for a short, exam-ready answer backed by an official source, then test yourself on them as flashcards.

CCAT Glossary

Quick definitions for the terms you’ll see most across the CCAT:

Analogy: A verbal item in the form A is to B as C is to ? — you find the relationship in the first pair and apply it to the second.
Antonym: A word with the opposite meaning of another (transparent / opaque). CCAT verbal items often ask for the most nearly opposite word.
Aptitude test: A test that estimates a person's potential to learn and perform, rather than what they already know about a specific job — the CCAT is an aptitude test, not a knowledge test.
Arithmetic sequence: A number series with a constant difference between terms, such as 5, 9, 13, 17 (adding 4 each time).
CCAT: The Criteria Cognitive Aptitude Test — a timed, pre-employment cognitive ability test by Criteria Corp. It has 50 multiple-choice questions and a 15-minute limit, drawing on math & logic, verbal ability, and spatial reasoning.
Cognitive ability: A person's capacity to learn, reason, solve problems, and understand instructions — the broad mental ability the CCAT is designed to measure.
Criteria Corp: The assessment company (now branded simply 'Criteria') that publishes the CCAT and a wider platform of pre-employment tests. Employers use Criteria's tests to screen and compare job applicants.
Deductive reasoning: Reasoning from general rules to a specific conclusion that must be true if the premises are true — used on syllogism and true/false/uncertain items.
Figure matrix: A grid of figures (often 3×3) with one cell missing, where each row and column follows a rule you use to deduce the missing figure.
Geometric sequence: A number series with a constant multiplier between terms, such as 3, 6, 12, 24 (multiplying by 2 each time).
Inductive reasoning: Reasoning from specific examples to a likely general rule — used to spot the pattern in a number or figure series.
Math and Logic: The CCAT category that measures reasoning with numbers and numerical concepts, plus logical and analytical thinking — number series, word problems, ratios, percentages, basic algebra, and deduction.
Norm group: The large reference sample your result is compared against. Criteria norms the CCAT against a global group of hundreds of thousands of test-takers.
Number series: A sequence of numbers that follows a hidden rule; you identify the rule and give the next (or missing) term.
Odd-one-out: A spatial item where several figures share a feature and one breaks it; you find the shared rule and pick the figure that violates it.
Paper folding: A spatial item where a sheet is folded and punched, and you predict where the holes appear when it is unfolded.
Percentile rank: How your score compares with a norm group. A 90th-percentile score means you outperformed 90% of the people in that comparison group.
Raw score: The number of questions you answer correctly on the CCAT, out of 50. One point per correct answer, with no penalty for wrong answers.
Score range: A suggested target band of raw scores Criteria provides for a job family, or a band an employer sets themselves. There is no single universal passing score on the CCAT.
Sentence completion: A verbal item that asks you to choose the word that best fills a blank, using the sentence's context and signal words.
Spatial Reasoning: The CCAT category measuring the ability to visualize objects in physical space and make spatial judgments — figure series, matrices, shape rotation and reflection, and odd-one-out items.
Speeded test: A test where performance is limited mainly by time rather than difficulty. The CCAT is heavily speeded — fewer than 1% of candidates answer all 50 questions in 15 minutes.
Sub-score: A separate percentile for each of the three CCAT categories (Math & Logic, Verbal Ability, Spatial Reasoning), so an employer can see your strengths within the overall result.
Syllogism: A logic form with two premises and a conclusion, such as 'All A are B; all B are C; therefore all A are C.'
Synonym: A word with nearly the same meaning as another (candid / frank).
UCAT: Criteria's Universal Cognitive Aptitude Test — a 40-question, 20-minute, language-independent version of the CCAT that drops the verbal items so it can be used with non-native English speakers.
Verbal Ability: The CCAT category covering reading and comprehension of words, logic, constructive thinking, and attention to detail — analogies, antonyms, word comparison, and sentence completion.
Word comparison: A verbal item that asks whether two words have similar, opposite, or unrelated meanings.

Free CCAT Study Materials & Resources

Everything you need to prepare for the CCAT is free here — no paywall, no sign-up. This guide is the foundation; pair it with the rest of our free CCAT study materials for active recall and timed practice:

CCAT Practice Test — exam-style questions across all three categories, with explanations.
CCAT Flashcards — active-recall decks for the high-yield number-series rules, vocabulary, math conversions, and spatial formats.

CCAT Study Guide FAQ

The Criteria Cognitive Aptitude Test (CCAT) has 50 multiple-choice questions and a 15-minute time limit — about 18 seconds per question. The test is designed to be long for the time given: fewer than 1% of candidates answer all 50 questions.

References

1.Criteria Corp. “What to Expect on the CCAT (Candidate Prep).” Criteria Corp. ↑
2.Criteria Corp. “Criteria Cognitive Aptitude Test (CCAT) — Product Overview.” Criteria Corp. ↑
3.Criteria Corp. “CCAT Score Report Guide.” Criteria Corp. ↑
4.Criteria Corp. “CCAT Information Brief.” Criteria Corp. ↑

Sources for the concept answers

Every answer in the CCAT concept questions above is drawn from an official primary source:

Career Employer

Career Employer is the ultimate resource to help you get started working the job of your dreams. We cover topics from general career information, career searching, exam preparation with free study materials, career interviewing, and becoming successful in your career of choice.

All Posts

Career Employer’s Editorial Process

Here at Career Employer, we focus a lot on providing factually accurate information that is always up to date. We strive to provide correct information using strict editorial processes, article editing, and fact-checking for all of the information found on our website. We only utilize trustworthy and relevant resources. To find out more, make sure to read our full editorial process page here.