CCAT Analogies: Relationship Types, Strategy & Examples
A verbal analogy asks you to identify the relationship between one pair of words and apply the same relationship to another pair.
The key is not whether the words are generally associated.
The key is whether the same precise relationship works in the same direction.
Independent CCAT verbal practice commonly includes analogies, although Criteria does not publish one guaranteed subtype count for every live assessment.
Practice more timed CCAT verbal questions
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The Sentence Method
Convert the first pair into a short sentence.
Example:
GLOVE is to HAND as SHOE is to ?
Sentence:
A glove is worn on a hand.
Apply the same relationship:
A shoe is worn on a foot.
Answer: FOOT.
The sentence should be:
- specific;
- reversible only when the relationship is genuinely reversible;
- usable for both pairs;
- in the same direction.
Relationship 1: Object and Function
Example:
THERMOMETER : TEMPERATURE :: SPEEDOMETER : ?
A thermometer measures temperature.
A speedometer measures speed.
Answer: SPEED.
Relationship 2: Tool and User
Example:
STETHOSCOPE : DOCTOR :: GAVEL : ?
A stethoscope is used by a doctor.
A gavel is used by a judge.
Answer: JUDGE.
Relationship 3: Part and Whole
Example:
PAGE : BOOK :: BRICK : ?
A page is part of a book.
A brick is part of a wall.
Answer: WALL.
Check direction. Book : page would be whole to part, not part to whole.
Relationship 4: Place and Contents
Example:
ORCHARD : TREES :: LIBRARY : ?
An orchard contains trees.
A library contains books.
Answer: BOOKS.
Relationship 5: Material and Product
Example:
WOOD : TABLE :: CLAY : ?
Wood can be used to make a table.
Clay can be used to make a pot.
Answer: POT.
Relationship 6: Cause and Effect
Example:
RAIN : FLOODING :: HEAT : ?
Rain can cause flooding.
Heat can cause melting.
Answer: MELTING.
Choose the option that matches the causal direction.
Relationship 7: Degree
Example:
WARM : HOT :: COOL : ?
Hot is a stronger degree of warm.
Cold is a stronger degree of cool.
Answer: COLD.
Relationship 8: Category and Member
Example:
BIRD : ROBIN :: FLOWER : ?
A robin is a type of bird.
A tulip is a type of flower.
Answer: TULIP.
The direction is category to member.
Relationship 9: Worker and Workplace
Example:
CHEF : KITCHEN :: PILOT : ?
A chef works in a kitchen.
A pilot works in an aircraft cockpit.
Answer: COCKPIT.
Relationship 10: Opposites
Example:
EXPAND : CONTRACT :: ACCEPT : ?
Expand and contract are opposites.
Accept and reject are opposites.
Answer: REJECT.
Relationship 11: Sequence or Stage
Example:
SEED : PLANT :: EGG : ?
A seed can develop into a plant.
An egg can develop into an animal or bird. If the options include chick, that may be the most specific match.
Choose the option that preserves the level of specificity used by the first pair.
Direction Matters
Consider:
AUTHOR : NOVEL
The relationship is:
An author creates a novel.
It is not equivalent to:
NOVEL : AUTHOR
which is:
A novel is created by an author.
Both statements are related, but analogy questions require matching order.
Precision Matters
Suppose:
SCALPEL : SURGEON :: BRUSH : ?
Possible answers may include:
- artist;
- paint;
- canvas;
- color;
- studio.
A scalpel is a tool used by a surgeon.
A brush is a tool used by an artist.
Answer: ARTIST.
Paint is strongly associated with a brush but does not match the tool-to-user relationship.
Use Grammar as a Check
The answer should often fit the same grammatical category.
If the first pair is:
verb : result
the second pair should normally preserve that structure.
Example:
ERODE : WEAR :: FREEZE : ?
Freeze can cause hardening or solidification. A noun describing the result fits better than an unrelated verb.
Grammar is a clue, not a complete solution.
Eliminate Near-Relationship Distractors
Distractors often use:
- a broad association;
- the reversed relationship;
- a related location;
- an object used with the word;
- a category at the wrong level;
- a relationship that works in only one pair.
Test the same sentence on every serious option.
Original Worked Examples
Example 1
KEY : LOCK :: PASSWORD : ?
A key opens or provides access to a lock.
A password provides access to an account.
Answer: ACCOUNT.
Example 2
PUPPY : DOG :: CALF : ?
A puppy is a young dog.
A calf is a young cow.
Answer: COW.
Example 3
MAP : LOCATION :: CALENDAR : ?
A map organizes or shows locations.
A calendar organizes or shows dates.
Answer: DATES.
Example 4
HIVE : BEES :: DEN : ?
A hive houses bees.
A den houses animals such as bears.
If bears is available, it is the best parallel answer.
Example 5
WHISPER : SPEAK :: STROLL : ?
A whisper is a way of speaking.
A stroll is a way of walking.
Answer: WALK.
A Fast Timed Method
- describe the first pair in five to eight words;
- note the direction;
- predict the missing relationship before studying every option;
- remove grammatically or logically mismatched answers;
- test the sentence on the remaining options;
- guess and continue when the distinction remains unclear.
Do not spend too long trying to create a perfect dictionary definition. You need the relationship, not an essay.
Common Analogy Mistakes
- Choosing a word that is merely associated.
- Reversing the relationship.
- Ignoring the level of specificity.
- Using a sentence too vague to eliminate options.
- Changing relationship type between pairs.
- Overlooking grammar.
- Spending too long on one unfamiliar word.
Build Analogy Vocabulary
When reviewing an analogy, record:
word 1
word 2
relationship sentence
answer
why the closest distractor is wrong
This improves relationship recognition rather than memorizing isolated answers.
Use the CCAT synonyms and antonyms guide to improve vocabulary precision.
Practice before test day
Start with the free CCAT practice test, the CCAT verbal practice and the complete preparation guide. For a full timed simulation, use the free and premium CCAT practice tests or the CCAT study plan. Structured preparation is also available through AptitudeTests.org CCAT practice and the JobTestPrep CCAT PrepPack.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are analogies guaranteed on every CCAT?
Criteria does not publish one guaranteed narrow subtype distribution for every live assessment. Analogies remain useful independent verbal-reasoning preparation.
Should I define every word exactly?
A precise short relationship sentence is usually more useful than a long definition.
What if two options are associated with the second word?
Choose the one matching the same relationship and direction as the first pair.
What if I do not know one word?
Use roots, context, grammar, and elimination. Then make an educated guess and continue.
Where can I practice more verbal questions?
Use the CCAT verbal guide, CCAT verbal practice set, and free and premium CCAT practice tests.
As a secondary independent option, compare JobTestPrep’s Criteria CCAT preparation.
Independent-Site Notice
CCATPracticeTest.com is independent and is not affiliated with Criteria. All analogy examples are original practice material.