The CCAT test, explained

The Criteria Cognitive Aptitude Test is published by Criteria Corp. Employers use it early in hiring to measure how quickly you learn, reason and solve unfamiliar problems. You usually take it online at home, from a link sent after you apply.

It tests ability, not knowledge you can cram. The math stops at about age-16 level and the vocabulary is everyday. The difficulty is the clock: about 18 seconds per question.

Three question families, mixed together rather than in separate sections:

Your raw score is the number correct, from 0 to 50. Wrong answers and blanks both score zero, so guessing costs nothing. Criteria converts the raw score to a percentile, and 24 is the 50th.

Employers mostly see the percentile and set their own minimum, often treating it as one input among several. You normally do not see your score. Look up any score in the CCAT percentile chart, or see what counts as a good CCAT score by role.

Criteria says thousands of organizations use its tests. The CCAT is most common in tech, finance, sales, customer support and professional services, and for graduate roles where employers hire for learning speed over experience.

If the invitation mentions "a 15-minute cognitive test from Criteria", it is the CCAT. If it is 12 minutes, or mentions Wonderlic or WonScore, read our Wonderlic test guide instead.

• Take one full timed CCAT practice test to find your baseline and weakest family.
• Review every mistake until you can state the rule in one sentence.
• Pace yourself: if a question has not cracked after about 30 seconds, guess and move on. You cannot go back.
• Sharpen mental math: 10 percent first then scale, halve and double, estimate before calculating.
• Take a second and third full test a day or two apart and compare section scores.
• On the day: quiet room, scrap paper and pen, no calculator, a reliable connection.