Criteria Cognitive Aptitude Test (CCAT)

Assessment

What is it?

The Criteria Cognitive Aptitude Test (CCAT) is a highly regarded pre-employment aptitude assessment that measures a candidate’s cognitive abilities such as critical thinking, problem-solving skills, learning ability, and the capacity to digest and apply new information. Cognitive aptitude is widely considered one of the most accurate predictors of job performance, with high-scoring candidates more likely to excel in roles that demand analytical thinking and fast learning.

The CCAT consists of 50 questions to be answered within a 15-minute time limit. Due to the challenging nature of the test, most candidates do not finish all 50 items. The test is designed to assess a candidate’s ability to learn quickly, solve problems, and think critically—skills that are essential for many mid- to high-level roles. The CCAT has been administered more than 10 million times.

Information

Provider:

Criteriacorp

What it measures:

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Critical Thinking

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Problem-Solving

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Learning Ability

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Processing and applying new information

Categories:

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Intelligence

Measurement Objectives

The CCAT measures four core cognitive skills: -Critical Thinking: The ability to evaluate and analyze information, make reasoned decisions, and solve complex problems.

  • Critical Thinking: The ability to evaluate and analyze information, make reasoned decisions, and solve complex problems.
  • Problem-Solving: The capacity to identify challenges, assess options, and develop effective solutions.
  • Learning Ability: How quickly a candidate can grasp new concepts and apply them in a real-world context.
  • Ability to Digest and Apply New Information: The cognitive skill to process information efficiently and use it to solve problems.

These skills are crucial for success in any role that requires quick thinking, problem-solving, and adaptability. Cognitive aptitude directly influences how quickly candidates can learn on the job, how they approach unfamiliar situations, and how they solve complex problems—making it a key predictor of long-term performance in the workplace.

Use

The CCAT is ideal for mid- to high-level roles requiring problem-solving, learning ability, and attention to detail, such as managers, software engineers, financial analysts, and sales representatives. Employers use the CCAT early in hiring to gauge a candidate’s cognitive potential, selecting fast learners and problem-solvers for roles demanding strong analytical skills. By offering a challenging and engaging test, the CCAT also strengthens the employer's brand.

Results

The CCAT provides a raw score (number correct out of 50) and a percentile ranking to show how a candidate compares to others (e.g., a 65th percentile means they scored better than 65% of test-takers). Employers can use these data-driven scores to assess cognitive strengths, directly comparing candidates to identify those best suited for roles requiring strong cognitive aptitude.

Development

Developed through rigorous research, the CCAT reliably predicts job performance, with correlations to other cognitive tests ranging from 0.55 to 0.8. Predictive studies confirm the CCAT’s relevance for roles needing critical thinking and reasoning. Standardized with a sample of 985 adults, the test has been administered over 5 million times. A dynamic item bank enhances security and fairness by drawing from thousands of optimized questions.

Reference Group

Key features

Development

Developed through rigorous research, the CCAT reliably predicts job performance, with correlations to other cognitive tests ranging from 0.55 to 0.8. Predictive studies confirm the CCAT’s relevance for roles needing critical thinking and reasoning. Standardized with a sample of 985 adults, the test has been administered over 5 million times. A dynamic item bank enhances security and fairness by drawing from thousands of optimized questions.

References

https://www.criteriacorp.com/files/Criteria2020-TestSlicks-CCAT.pdf