It is primarily used in the recruitment of candidates for mid- to high-level job roles, and is widely regarded as being effective at predicting potential. As such, it is often used to make hiring decisions in combination with previous work experience, qualifications and performance at interview.
What Is the CCAT Test?
The CCAT is a pre-employment screening solution which can be used to assess:
Problem-solving abilities Approach to processing and applying information Aptitude for learning new skills Critical thinking capabilities Attention to detail
People demonstrating high aptitude in the CCAT test are considered to be quick learners, in comparison to those with low aptitude. Each area is tested through a series of maths and logic, verbal, and spatial reasoning questions. Note that candidates are not permitted to use a calculator when taking the CCAT test. The CCAT test is made up of 50 questions, although not many people (fewer than 1%) manage to complete all 50 questions within the test’s 15-minute timeframe. According to Criteria (the CCAT developer), the average test score is 24.
What to Expect From Your CCAT Test
The format of the CCAT test and limited timeframe make it challenging. For these reasons, candidates often feel intimidated at the prospect of taking the test. If you feel worried about taking the CCAT, try to remember that most candidates taking the test are unable to complete all 50 questions within the 15-minute timescale. The most important thing is to answer as many questions correctly as possible, which may mean making an educated guess for some questions so as to move on to the next. If you need further practice at CCAT tests, try this practice pack from JobTestPrep, which includes a diagnostic guide and 5 full-length sample CCAT tests.
Basic algebra skills Aptitude for defining proportions Ability to work through word problems
Your score within this section will give recruiters an overview of your numerical reasoning abilities, which can be directly linked to your critical thinking and problem-solving skills. a) 30 b) 23 c) 20 d) 19 e) 17 Alice would like to reduce her journey time from home to school to 15 minutes. How many extra miles per hour will Alice need to walk to achieve this goal? a) 6 mph b) 5 mph c) 4 mph d) 3 mph e) 2 mph f) 1 mph
Example CCAT Verbal Questions
Communication is key to the majority of job roles, so recruiters will be keen to establish whether prospective candidates have the skills required to communicate effectively with their colleagues and clients. The purpose of the CCAT test’s verbal questions is to establish:
Overall vocabulary Knowledge of word meanings Understanding of the importance of context when choosing words Knowledge of how different words relate to each other
Example Verbal Question 1
LENGTHEN a) resist b) stifle c) truncate d) elongate e) abdicate ‘Her behaviour was ____________, especially considering the circumstances.’ a) adjusted b) dishonest c) observance d) exemplary e) fluid
Your ability to problem-solve How you learn and use new information How you perceive images and shapes
Example Spatial Reasoning Question 1
For example, if you achieve a percentile score of 55, this indicates that you performed better than 55% of other people taking the test. Note that your raw score is not affected by the number of questions you answer incorrectly – so if you find yourself stuck, it is best to choose an answer and move on to the next question.
How to Prepare and Pass the CCAT Test
Accessing these will give you a good idea of how the CCAT test questions are structured and what to expect on the day of your actual test. It will also help you to improve your time management and have the confidence to move forward to the next question if you are feeling stuck. We recommend this practice pack from JobTestPrep, which includes 5 full-length sample CCAT tests covering all the question types. If possible, it’s best to avoid completing any practice tests the night before or the morning of the test. Don’t forget, recruiters won’t be expecting you to answer every question. Even so, if you find yourself spending more than a minute on an individual question, it’s probably best to hazard a guess and move forward to the next one. If you already know that you are better with words than you are with numbers, allow yourself the opportunity to answer as many questions that you are comfortable with as possible. For example, if you consider yourself to be a maths whizz but you’re stuck on a verbal question, it is sensible to make an educated guess and move forward to a question you have a better chance of answering correctly. When it comes to taking the test, schedule this at the time of day you feel you perform best. Ensure that you will have no distractions and don’t forget to read the test instructions carefully before getting started.
