The CCAT (Criteria Cognitive Aptitude Test) is a pre-employment ability based on the concepts of classic cognitive ability tests. It is popular among employers from various industries in the US and Canada. Setting up a preparation plan well in advance proves to be highly effective and is known to boost the chances of scoring high in the test. Many large organizations use CCAT to hire for mid-to-high entry-level jobs that require problem-solving and close attention to detail. Here is all you need to know about the CCAT test.
CCAT Test overview
CCAT test measures an interviewee’s aptitude in solving problems, the ability to acquire new skills through training and learning sessions and also critical thinking. Employers can include this test in the recruitment process to substantially cut the hiring costs and reduce the employee turnover ratio, in addition to finding the ideal candidates with the required traits. Some types of questions may still be complex, which requires an individual to practice CCAT tests and becoming acquainted with the various question styles.
The test consists of a total of 50 items that candidates must finish within 15 minutes. Because it’s really challenging, it’s not too many people that can complete the 50 items within the specified period. It is also one of the most widely-used employment aptitude assessments in the US and has been conducted over 50 million times till date.
CCAT test format
The important thing you need to keep in mind about the CCAT tests used in the hiring process is that they carry various different types of questions. The typical questions comprise numerical reasoning questions with graphs or charts, verbal reasoning questions, logical reasoning questions via abstract symbols and test dissemination. The questions may also include number sequences, deductive reasoning questions, and synonyms and antonyms.
They usually do not permit calculators, but the mathematical calculations that you will be required to work on are not too complex. To understand these styles, simplify them into numerical, logical, verbal, and deductive types of questions, depending on the origination.
How the score works
Like in any other cognitive test, after you complete the CCAT test, the raw score will comprise the number of questions you were able to answer correctly and there is no negative marking for the wrong answers. A percentile score is then calculated based on the raw score and the entire process helps the recruiters draw an objective comparison between you and the other candidates who took the CCAT test. The average score is 24 out of 50, which means if you get a score of 24, you will get more than 50% of the candidates who appeared for the test before you. A detailed view of the score tables suggests that for lucrative jobs like banking, software engineering, and management, one should strive to answer 30 out of 50 items correctly.
CCAT test preparation
The first thing is to put it into practice using the different CCAT preparation resources available online. Gaining access to these online tools promptly will give you a quick idea of how the test questions are structured and what you should expect on the actual day of the test. It will also help you improve your time management and the confidence to move forward to the next question if you feel stuck.
You should also remember to prioritize your time effectively because you only have 15 minutes to answer 50 questions. Realistically, you can only afford 20 seconds to answer each question if you want to answer all the 50 questions. Don’t get stuck on one question and remember you don’t have to answer all the items in the test.
The CCAT test is a performance predictor
Various studies show that CCAT results are a very good predictor of someone’s job performance in different types of jobs. One of the areas where it proves to be an effective predictor of job performance is where the job is based more on enhanced abilities in the areas of critical thinking, learning, complex problem-solving and mathematical reasoning.
Candidates who score well on the CCAT test are more likely to complete the training successfully, learn and digest new information on the job and also adapt more quickly to a fast-changing work environment.
A worker’s ability to acquire job-related input is impacted by his cognitive ability and the strong grip on the job knowledge and acquired skills impact job performance. Workers with high cognitive ability have shown better adjustment to every new task given to them and they find quick and effective solutions in challenging situations.