CCAT Score Report: Results, Percentiles and Employer Access

The Criteria Cognitive Aptitude Test, commonly called the CCAT, produces more than one type of result.

The principal figures are the raw score and the percentile ranking.

These two values answer different questions:

• your raw score shows how many questions you answered correctly;
• your percentile shows how your performance compared with a reference group.

A percentile is not the percentage of questions you answered correctly, and an average score is not automatically a passing score.

This guide explains the CCAT report, the official average, skill-category results, suggested score ranges, employer benchmarks, and what candidates may receive after completing the assessment.

For a complete explanation of the test itself, read the CCAT test guide.

To begin practicing, use our CCAT practice comparison and online tests or the free CCAT practice test.

Affiliate disclosure: We may earn a commission when you purchase preparation through selected links. This does not affect the price you pay or the independence of our editorial guidance.

Scope of This Guide

This page explains the general employer-facing report structure and access rules. It does not reproduce the proprietary layout. For the dated public PDF example, use CCAT score report example. For one measurement only, use raw score or percentile.

CCAT Score Report Quick Facts

The employer decides how the CCAT result is used within its complete recruitment process.

What Is a CCAT Raw Score?

The raw score is the number of CCAT questions you answered correctly.

The standard assessment contains 50 questions, so the raw score can range from 0 to 50.

For the complete structure behind that score, read the CCAT test format guide.

For example:

No additional calculation is required.

If you answer 27 questions correctly, your raw score is 27.

Incorrect answers do not reduce the raw score. Criteria does not apply a negative-marking penalty for a wrong answer.

This is why candidates are generally advised to make an informed guess and continue when a question is taking too long.

Questions Attempted vs. Raw Score

The number of questions attempted is not the same as the raw score.

For example, a candidate may:

• attempt 34 questions;
• answer 26 correctly;
• answer 8 incorrectly;
• receive a raw score of 26.

Reaching more questions can create more scoring opportunities, but speed is only useful when it does not cause excessive mistakes.

Your objective is not simply to reach Question 50.

Your objective is to maximize the number of correct answers within 15 minutes.

What Is a CCAT Percentile?

The percentile ranking compares your result with the performance of a norm or reference group. For deeper raw-score-to-percentile guidance, including why conversion is not linear, see the official CCAT percentile explanation.

For example, the 70th percentile means that the result was higher than approximately 70% of the scores in the relevant comparison group.

It does not mean:

• that 70% of the questions were correct;
• that the raw score was 35 out of 50;
• that the candidate received a grade of 70%;
• that the candidate has a 70% chance of being hired;
• that every employer uses the same benchmark.

Raw Score vs. Percentile

The percentile is based on the distribution of scores in the norm group.

It is therefore not calculated by simply dividing the raw score by 50.

For example:

24 correct answers out of 50 = 48% correct

However, an official Criteria sample report shows a raw score of 24 corresponding to the 50th percentile in that sample report.

This does not mean that every future score of 24 must always be displayed in exactly the same way. Norms, report versions, and the applicable comparison framework should be interpreted through the official report supplied to the employer.

What Is the Average CCAT Score?

Criteria currently publishes the following figures for its CCAT standardization sample:

The mean is the arithmetic average.

The median is the middle score when results are ordered from lowest to highest.

These figures provide context, but they do not establish a universal passing score.

A score near 24 may be:

• above the benchmark for one role;
• within the suggested range for another;
• below the preferred level in a highly competitive process;
• only one factor in a broader hiring decision.

Do not treat the published average as a guaranteed employer requirement.

Is 24 a Good CCAT Score?

A raw score of approximately 24 is close to the published average and median.

Whether it is a good result depends on the context.

Important factors include:

• the position;
• the employer;
• the applicant pool;
• the role’s cognitive demands;
• the selected suggested score range;
• other assessment results;
• interviews;
• experience;
• technical skills;
• the employer’s internal hiring criteria.

A result can be average in the overall norm group while still being above or below the range an employer considers appropriate for a specific role.

Do not describe 24 as a universal passing score.

What Is a Good CCAT Score?

There is no single score that is good for every position.

A competitive result depends on what the employer is trying to measure and how the employer uses the report.

Roles involving a high level of analysis, rapid learning, complex problem-solving, quantitative reasoning, or technical training may be associated with different expectations from roles with other requirements.

A score should therefore be considered in relation to:

1. the selected position;
2. the applicable suggested score range;
3. the candidate pool;
4. the complete assessment portfolio;
5. the employer’s decision process.

Online claims such as “you must score 35” or “30 always guarantees an interview” should not be treated as official unless the employer has communicated that requirement directly.

Is There a CCAT Passing Score?

The CCAT does not have one universal passing score applying to every employer and every vacancy. For suggested score ranges versus employer cutoffs and how to verify a requirement, see the CCAT passing-score and employer-cutoff guide.

The assessment publisher provides score information and may provide suggested ranges by position. The employer decides how to use those results.

An employer may:

• use a preferred score range;
• compare candidates with one another;
• combine the CCAT with another assessment;
• use the score as one screening factor;
• review the result alongside interviews and experience;
• apply different expectations to different roles;
• decide not to use a strict cutoff.

For this reason, the terms passing score and failing score can be misleading when discussed without a specific employer policy.

Employer Cutoff vs. Suggested Range

A cutoff is an employer-defined decision point.

A suggested range is a reference range associated with a type of position.

These are not necessarily the same thing.

A candidate falling below a displayed suggested range is not automatically rejected by Criteria. The employer controls the recruitment decision.

Similarly, falling within or above a range does not guarantee progression.

What Are Suggested CCAT Score Ranges?

A detailed Criteria report may display suggested raw-score ranges for different job categories.

These ranges help an employer compare a candidate’s result with the aptitude levels associated with selected types of work.

The report may show whether the result is:

• below a selected range;
• within the range;
• above the lower boundary;
• relevant to several possible occupational categories.

The range should not be interpreted as a statement that every successful person in that occupation must receive the same score.

Suggested ranges are decision-support information.

They do not replace:

• a structured hiring process;
• job analysis;
• interviews;
• technical assessment;
• legal and organizational requirements;
• consideration of the candidate’s complete qualifications.

Why We Do Not Reproduce the Full Position Table

Criteria may update reports, ranges, occupational groupings, norms, or presentation formats.

Reproducing a complete third-party table can therefore become inaccurate and may also copy proprietary report material.

The employer should use the current range displayed in the official report generated for its assessment event.

Candidates should not rely on an old screenshot or an unofficial table copied onto another website.

What Skill Scores Appear on the CCAT Report?

The CCAT covers three broad skill groups:

1. verbal ability;
2. math and logic;
3. spatial reasoning.

A detailed report may provide percentile information for these categories.

These category results help show whether performance was relatively stronger or weaker in a particular area. For formats and solving methods behind those skill groups, see the CCAT question types guide.

Verbal Ability

The verbal category relates to skills such as:

• understanding written information;
• recognizing word relationships;
• verbal reasoning;
• vocabulary;
• drawing conclusions from language;
• communicating and interpreting information.

A lower verbal category result does not automatically mean that a candidate cannot communicate effectively.

It describes performance on the verbal items included in the assessment.

Math and Logic

The math and logic category relates to:

• numerical reasoning;
• quantitative problem-solving;
• number relationships;
• logical analysis;
• interpreting numerical information;
• applying basic mathematical concepts under time pressure.

This is not the same as an advanced mathematics qualification.

The CCAT focuses on efficient reasoning rather than specialized academic mathematics.

Spatial Reasoning

The spatial category relates to:

• visualizing shapes;
• recognizing visual patterns;
• understanding rotations;
• tracking changes in position;
• making spatial judgments;
• solving nonverbal figure problems.

A strong spatial result may be relevant to work involving visual analysis, technical systems, design, diagrams, or pattern recognition, but the report must still be interpreted within the actual role.

Do Category Percentiles Add Up to the Raw Score?

No.

Do not add the verbal, math and logic, and spatial percentiles together.

A percentile is a comparative ranking, not a number of correct answers.

The overall raw score represents the total number of correct answers across the assessment.

Category percentiles describe relative performance within individual skill areas.

For example, three category percentile values such as:

58, 62, and 24

do not add together to create the overall raw score.

They must be read as separate comparative indicators.

Can a High Category Score Compensate for a Lower One?

The report may show an uneven profile.

A candidate could perform strongly in numerical reasoning and less strongly in verbal or spatial questions.

Whether this matters depends on the position.

For example:

• a role may place greater emphasis on quantitative problem-solving;
• another role may require strong written communication;
• another may depend on balanced performance;
• the employer may focus primarily on the overall raw score;
• the employer may review all category results together.

Candidates should not assume that one strong category automatically cancels a lower result in another category.

The employer determines which information is most relevant.

Who Receives the CCAT Score Report?

The organization administering the assessment receives the result.

This is usually the employer, recruiter, hiring organization, or assessment administrator that sent the invitation.

The report can include information such as:

• candidate name;
• position;
• test date;
• assessment event identifier;
• raw score;
• percentile;
• category percentiles;
• suggested score ranges;
• explanatory report text.

The exact report presentation can depend on the report version, account configuration, assessment portfolio, and employer settings.

Will You Receive Your CCAT Score?

Candidates do not always receive the full CCAT score report.

The employer controls communication with the candidate.

After the assessment, an employer may:

• share the raw score;
• share the percentile;
• provide general feedback;
• confirm whether the candidate is progressing;
• provide no detailed score information;
• communicate only the next recruitment step.

Criteria sends the report to the organization administering the assessment.

If you want to know whether your result will be shared, ask the employer or recruiter.

Do not assume that Criteria can disclose a report directly when the assessment was administered through an employer’s account.

Why Did the Employer Not Share My Score?

An employer may decide not to share detailed results because:

• its recruitment policy does not include score disclosure;
• the result is used internally;
• the CCAT is only one part of a larger assessment portfolio;
• the employer communicates only progression decisions;
• the recruitment campaign is still active;
• the employer has its own feedback process;
• legal or organizational rules differ by location.

A lack of score disclosure does not reveal whether the result was high or low.

Contact the employer when clarification is necessary.

Does the Candidate See the Score Immediately?

Do not assume that the candidate will see a score immediately after submitting the test.

The employer generally receives the report.

The candidate experience may end with:

• a completion confirmation;
• a return to the candidate portal;
• instructions to wait for the recruiter;
• another assessment;
• a message explaining the next step.

The exact workflow depends on the employer’s Criteria configuration.

How Do Employers Interpret CCAT Results?

Employers may use the CCAT to evaluate cognitive aptitude associated with:

• learning new information;
• solving problems;
• reasoning with words and numbers;
• recognizing patterns;
• thinking critically;
• adapting to unfamiliar tasks.

The result should be interpreted in relation to the job.

An employer may compare the score with:

• a suggested position range;
• internal performance data;
• other applicants;
• previous successful employees;
• the role’s training requirements;
• the candidate’s other assessments;
• interview performance;
• professional experience.

The CCAT is not normally the only information used in a responsible recruitment process.

Does a High CCAT Score Guarantee a Job Offer?

No.

A high CCAT result does not guarantee:

• an interview;
• progression;
• a job offer;
• success in another assessment;
• successful completion of a background check;
• strong technical performance;
• acceptance by a particular employer.

The hiring process may also consider:

• minimum qualifications;
• application quality;
• work history;
• interviews;
• technical knowledge;
• work samples;
• personality assessments;
• references;
• background requirements;
• location and availability.

Preparation can help you become familiar with the test and use your time more efficiently, but it cannot control the employer’s final decision.

Can a Low CCAT Score End an Application?

An employer may use the CCAT as a screening factor.

A result below an employer’s preferred range may reduce the likelihood of progression in some processes.

However, the exact outcome depends on the employer.

The employer may:

• use a strict internal benchmark;
• review borderline results;
• consider other assessment results;
• weigh experience and interviews;
• invite a candidate to another stage;
• close the application.

Do not state that a particular score automatically ends every application.

Can You Appeal a CCAT Score?

A candidate normally cannot appeal a score simply because the result was lower than expected.

However, contact the employer or assessment support when a genuine administration problem occurred, such as:

• the test froze;
• the internet connection failed;
• the page closed unexpectedly;
• the wrong assessment appeared;
• an approved accommodation was missing;
• the timer behaved incorrectly;
• the candidate could not access the assessment;
• an interruption outside the candidate’s control affected completion.

Record:

• the date and time;
• the assessment name;
• the event identifier;
• the error message;
• what happened;
• any available screenshot;
• whether the test submitted.

Do not create another account or attempt an unauthorized retake.

Can You Retake the CCAT to Improve Your Score?

Retake rules are controlled by the employer.

Some employers may permit another assessment after a waiting period or for a future application.

Others may use the existing result or decline an additional attempt.

Contact the recruiter when:

• you want to know whether a previous result remains valid;
• you experienced a technical problem;
• you are applying for another role;
• you received a second invitation;
• you require an accommodation;
• the invitation contains unclear instructions.

Do not assume that a previous score automatically transfers to another employer or position.

How Long Is a CCAT Score Valid?

There is no single candidate-facing validity period that applies to every employer.

The employer decides whether it will:

• reuse an existing score;
• request a new assessment;
• accept a previous result;
• apply a waiting period;
• require retesting for a different role;
• retain the result under its recruitment policies.

Follow the instructions for the current application.

Can You Convert a Practice Score Into a CCAT Percentile?

A third-party practice result cannot be converted reliably into an official CCAT percentile unless the practice assessment has been appropriately designed, administered, and normed.

A valid percentile conversion requires more than a raw percentage.

It depends on:

• the question set;
• test difficulty;
• time limit;
• scoring method;
• reference sample;
• statistical norming;
• report version.

For this reason, the score from the free 30-question CCAT practice test must not be converted into an official percentile.

Use a free score to identify:

• weak question types;
• pacing problems;
• repeated calculation errors;
• verbal gaps;
• visual-pattern mistakes;
• improvement over time.

Do not present it as an employer result.

Why Online CCAT Conversion Tables Can Be Misleading

Unofficial conversion tables often claim to map every raw score to an exact percentile.

These tables can be misleading when they:

• do not identify their norm group;
• do not identify the report version;
• use old information;
• extrapolate from a single sample report;
• confuse percentage correct with percentile;
• present estimates as official results;
• mix CCAT and UCAT scores;
• ignore test and norm updates.

CCATPracticeTest.com should not publish a complete unofficial conversion table.

The official report generated for the employer is the relevant source for the actual percentile.

How to Evaluate Your Practice Scores

When preparing, track more than the total number correct.

Use a practice log containing:

One unusually high score is less useful than repeated performance under realistic conditions.

Accuracy Rate

For practice purposes, accuracy among attempted questions can be calculated as:

correct answers / attempted questions x 100

For example:

26 correct / 34 attempted x 100 = approximately 76.5% accuracy

This is a practice metric.

It is not the official CCAT percentile.

Attempt Rate

You can also record how far you progressed:

attempted questions / 50 x 100

Again, this is a pacing metric and not an official score conversion.

Should You Focus on Speed or Accuracy?

Both matter.

Focus on Speed When:

• accuracy is already strong;
• you attempt too few questions;
• calculations take too long;
• you spend excessive time checking easy items;
• difficult questions prevent you from moving forward.

Focus on Accuracy When:

• you reach many questions but make frequent mistakes;
• you misread instructions;
• you select synonyms instead of antonyms;
• simple calculations are incorrect;
• visual rules are overlooked;
• rushing lowers performance.

The objective is to increase correct answers, not simply attempted answers. Practical pacing methods for that balance are covered in the CCAT time-management guide.

How to Improve Your CCAT Result

Learn the Question Formats

Become familiar with:

• percentages;
• ratios;
• averages;
• equations;
• number sequences;
• analogies;
• synonyms and antonyms;
• sentence completion;
• logical statements;
• letter patterns;
• figure sequences;
• matrices;
• rotations;
• odd-one-out questions.

Familiarity reduces the time needed to understand each instruction.

Practice Without a Calculator

The standard CCAT does not permit a calculator.

Review:

• multiplication;
• division;
• common percentages;
• fractions;
• ratios;
• estimation;
• basic algebra;
• mental arithmetic.

Add Timed Practice

Untimed practice is useful when learning a method.

Timed practice is necessary when preparing for the actual 15-minute assessment.

Progress from:

1. individual untimed questions;
2. short category drills;
3. mixed timed sets;
4. full-length simulations;
5. repeated review and retesting.

Review Every Error

Classify mistakes as:

• knowledge gap;
• calculation error;
• misreading;
• vocabulary weakness;
• incorrect logical assumption;
• missed visual rule;
• poor time decision;
• careless answer selection.

Improvement requires understanding why the answer was wrong.

Track Several Tests

Do not judge readiness from one practice score.

Track results across several comparable simulations.

Look for:

• rising raw scores;
• improved consistency;
• more questions attempted;
• stable accuracy;
• fewer repeated errors;
• stronger weak-category results.

Explore complete CCAT preparation

Complete CCAT Preparation

A structured preparation resource can be useful when you need:

• several full-length simulations;
• realistic 15-minute timing;
• mixed verbal, numerical, and spatial questions;
• targeted category practice;
• detailed explanations;
• performance reports;
• repeated attempts;
• a structured study plan.

After interpreting your practice or report context, use the complete CCAT preparation guide to organize the next stage of work.

Our primary recommendation is the CCAT preparation available through AptitudeTests.org.

Compare complete CCAT practice options

Before purchasing, confirm:

• that the course is for the Criteria CCAT;
• that it follows the correct 50-question and 15-minute format;
• that it covers all three principal skill groups;
• that it includes no-calculator numerical practice;
• that the current contents match your needs;
• that you understand the current price and access terms.

Alternative CCAT Provider

Candidates comparing preparation providers may also review JobTestPrep’s CCAT preparation.

Compare JobTestPrep CCAT preparation

JobTestPrep is a third-party preparation provider and is not the official test publisher.

Product contents, pricing, access periods, and promotions may change. Verify the current offer on the provider’s page.

What If Your Invitation Names Another Criteria Test?

The CCAT is only one assessment offered through Criteria.

Your invitation may instead name:

• UCAT;
• CBST;
• Cognify;
• GAME;
• a personality assessment;
• a workplace-skills assessment;
• another Criteria product.

Do not interpret a UCAT, CBST, Cognify, or GAME score using CCAT information.

Confirm the exact test name before choosing preparation.

Use the Criteria assessments overview for a broader comparison.

You can also read:

• the Criteria company guide;
• the Criteria UCAT guide;
• the HireSelect candidate guide.

CCAT Score vs. UCAT Score

The CCAT and UCAT are different assessments.

Do not compare a UCAT raw score directly with a CCAT raw score.

A score of 30 on the UCAT is not equivalent to a score of 30 on the CCAT.

Read the UCAT guide when the invitation names the Universal Cognitive Aptitude Test.

Company-Specific CCAT Scores

Candidates often search for score requirements associated with a particular employer.

The site includes guides covering companies and recruitment groups associated with Criteria testing, including:

• Vista Equity Partners;
• Crossover;
• other employers in the companies using CCAT guide.

These pages must not present an unofficial score as a guaranteed company cutoff.

Assessment requirements can vary by:

• role;
• department;
• seniority;
• country;
• recruitment campaign;
• hiring team;
• date.

The official invitation and recruiter instructions take priority over third-party information.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the maximum CCAT score?

The maximum raw score is 50 because the standard test contains 50 questions.

What does the raw score mean?

The raw score is the number of questions answered correctly.

Are points deducted for wrong answers?

No. Criteria does not apply a negative-marking penalty for an incorrect answer on the CCAT.

What is a CCAT percentile?

A percentile compares the candidate’s result with a norm or reference group. It is not the percentage of questions answered correctly.

What is the average CCAT score?

Criteria currently publishes a mean raw score of 24.2 for its standardization sample and a median of 24. For the complete mean, median, and standard-deviation explanation, see the official average CCAT score guide.

Is 24 a passing score?

No universal passing score exists. A score near 24 is close to the published average, but employer expectations vary by role and recruitment process.

What is a good CCAT score?

A good score depends on the position, employer benchmark, candidate pool, suggested range, and complete hiring process. See the good CCAT score guide for the official average, median, and target-setting guidance.

Is 30 a good CCAT score?

A raw score of 30 is above the published mean of 24.2, but it should not be presented as a guaranteed passing score or hiring result.

Is 35 a good CCAT score?

A raw score of 35 is well above the published mean, but the employer still controls how the result is interpreted and whether the candidate progresses.

What CCAT score do employers want?

There is no single score required by every employer. Employers may use role-based ranges, internal benchmarks, candidate comparisons, or several assessment results.

Does the employer see the score?

Yes. The organization administering the assessment receives the report.

Will the candidate receive the score?

Not always. Score disclosure depends on the employer.

Does the report show verbal, numerical, and spatial performance?

A detailed report may show percentiles for verbal ability, math and logic, and spatial reasoning.

Do category scores add up to the raw score?

No. Category percentiles are comparative values and should not be added together.

Can a free practice score predict the official percentile?

No. A third-party practice test requires appropriate norming before it can produce a meaningful official percentile comparison.

Can you retake the CCAT?

The employer controls retake rules. Contact the recruiter when clarification is required.

How long is a CCAT score valid?

There is no universal candidate-facing validity period. The employer decides whether an existing score can be reused.

Can a high CCAT score guarantee an interview?

No. A high score cannot guarantee progression, an interview, or a job offer.

How can you improve your CCAT score?

Practice the main question formats, improve mental arithmetic, add realistic time limits, review every error, and track performance across several simulations.

Official Sources

Maintain the factual information in this guide using current official Criteria resources:

• Official Criteria CCAT overview
• Official CCAT candidate preparation information
• Official Criteria candidate resources

Criteria’s official resources explain the actual assessment and report.

CCATPracticeTest.com provides independent explanations and preparation guidance.

Do not embed, copy, reproduce, or republish Criteria’s proprietary score-report PDFs or graphics.

Independent-Site Notice

CCATPracticeTest.com is an independent information and test-preparation website.

It is not affiliated with, authorized by, sponsored by, or endorsed by Criteria.

CCAT, Criteria, HireSelect, and related names may be trademarks of their respective owners.

Score information on this page is provided for general explanation. The employer’s official report and recruitment instructions take priority.

Preparation may improve familiarity, pacing, solving methods, and confidence. It cannot guarantee a raw score, percentile, interview, recruitment decision, or job offer.

Preparing for a retest or next stage?
Review scores in the good CCAT score guide, then rebuild skills with the free practice test, free and premium CCAT practice tests and study plan. Optional practice: AptitudeTests.org CCAT practice and JobTestPrep CCAT PrepPack.

Continue Your CCAT Preparation

Choose the resource that matches your next step:

• Understand the CCAT test format
• Review verbal, math, logic, and spatial CCAT questions
• Read the CCAT pacing strategy
• Learn what counts as a good CCAT score
• Understand the CCAT raw score
• Read CCAT score ranges
• Compare CCAT scores by job
• See a CCAT score-report example
• Compare CCAT score vs percentile
• Understand CCAT category scores
• Learn what happens after CCAT results
• Understand CCAT score validity
• Learn who can see CCAT scores
• Review the official average CCAT score
• How CCAT percentiles work
• Whether the CCAT has a universal passing score
• How to prepare for the CCAT
• Read the complete CCAT test guide
• Try the free CCAT practice test
• Review companies associated with the CCAT
• Read the Criteria publisher guide
• Compare the CCAT and UCAT
• Understand HireSelect
• Read the Vista Equity Partners assessment guide
• Read the Crossover aptitude-test guide
• CCAT results not received guide
• CCAT vs. Criteria personality test
• Is the CCAT an IQ test?
• What does the CCAT measure?
• CCAT confidentiality guide

Continue Your Preparation

• Good CCAT score guide
• CCAT retake guide
• free and premium CCAT practice tests