The CCAT

The CCAT (Criteria Cognitive Aptitude Test) is an online test used by Crossover to assess job applicants. I recently wrote this test and found it an interesting and challenging experience. I had planned to develop a course to share my learnings with future candidates, but have dropped that idea for various reasons. Instead, I will share my experience by writing a set of articles here on Medium. This is the first article. I hope CCAT aspirants find these articles useful.

Overview of the CAT/CCAT

The CAT is the Cognitive Aptitude Test. This test assesses mathematical (numerical), spatial (non-verbal), and verbal (English) reasoning skills. Candidates are required to answer 50 questions in 15 minutes and get at least 35 correct to move to the next step in the selection process. Many organizations believe that a candidate who performs well in this test can be predicted to do well on the job after being hired. High scores in these tests are considered an indicator of the ability to process information quickly, learn fast and do well on mathematical problems.

Many companies use CAT tests as a selection criterion.

This is what Crossover says about Cognitive Tests:

“These tests … measure the ability to problem solve, use new information, and think critically. It tells employers how easily a new hire will internalize training for a new role. Research also shows that cognitive aptitude is one of the best predictors of job performance. Ability is measured using 3 different types of questions: verbal, math and logic, and spatial reasoning.”

The CCAT (Criteria CAT) is a CAT test administered by Criteria Corporation, which has contracted with Crossover and many other companies to provide test services.

The CCAT is used by many companies to evaluate candidates, and in particular by Crossover. Crossover is a company that specializes in hiring employees who can work directly for American companies and be paid in US dollars, but remotely from anywhere in the world. Their pay is typically higher than the local (i.e. non-American) average. This makes them very attractive, as an employer, to candidates in many countries.

In case you have not heard of Crossover, you can check out their job openings here: https://www.crossover.com/jobs.

This set of articles will help you prepare for the CCAT by covering, in brief:

• Why is the CCAT challenging?
• How should one prepare?
• Test day: how to perform to the best of your potential
• Break down of questions by areas
• Mathematics deep dive
• Verbal reasoning deep dive
• Logical reasoning deep dive
• Spatial reasoning deep dive

Why is the CCAT challenging? Is it possible to do well on this test?

The CCAT contains 50 multiple choice questions which must be answered in 15 minutes. This translates to answering one question every 18 seconds, or 10 questions every 3 minutes. The intense time pressure is what makes the test challenging. However, using appropriate strategies, one can do well in the CCAT.

First, you should know that many questions are very easy, and can be answered in well below 18 seconds, perhaps in 4 or 5 seconds.

Secondly, it is not necessary to get every answer right. In fact, adopting the mindset that answering all questions correctly is not required, is itself enough to bring down one’s stress levels. For instance, it would be better to attempt 40 questions and get them all right, instead of attempting 50 questions and getting 30 right.

However, one should try to score the maximum marks. If there are several candidates for the same position, who perform about the same in the interview process, then the score in the CCAT may be used as a tie-breaker.

Third, there is no negative marking. On questions that are likely to take a minute or more to solve (and usually there are only 2 or 3 of these types of questions), it is generally best to make a calculated guess and quickly move on.

How should one prepare for the test?

Go through this set of articles so that you get a good idea of what to expect in the test.

Subsequent articles include both solved and unsolved examples. Review the worked out problems, and work through the unsolved problems.

After you have done this, consider taking a course that has practice questions in the form of simulated CCAT tests. I feel that it would really help to write some practice tests, under the same time constraints, before appearing in the actual test. There are several such options available, but all of them involve some cost, from a nominal amount to pretty exorbitant sums. I will provide more details and recommendations in a subsequent article.

Note that if you attempt the CCAT and don’t secure a passing mark, you may need to wait for a 6-month period to reattempt the test. On the other hand, if you pass the test, your score will be valid for 6 months and you can apply to other jobs at Crossover without retaking the test. (These rules may, of course, change at any time).

If you are selected by Crossover, you will need to retake and pass a proctored CCAT at yearly (this is the current policy) intervals.

Coming up: how to handle Test Day (https://av-krishnan.medium.com/ccat-test-day-how-to-perform-at-your-best-b9272213a8dd)

Note: I have a (paid) course on Udemy which contains six full-length practice simulation tests for the CCAT. These tests have been carefully prepared to mimic the actual test, and should help you to score good marks in the CCAT, and increase the chances of getting hired: use this link to enroll in the practice test course. (A coupon has been applied to give you the best possible deal offered by Udemy).

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