CCAT Score Ranges: How Suggested Ranges Work
A CCAT score range is not one universal pass band.
Criteria can display a suggested raw-score range when a job association is applied to the assessment event. Criteria also states that custom score ranges can be used for a wide variety of positions.
The employer decides how the result contributes to recruitment.
A suggested score range should therefore be interpreted as role-related context, not as an automatic guarantee or universal cutoff.
Build a consistent score range with our CCAT practice options
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.
Use the CCAT practice comparison and online tests as the main preparation route, or begin with the free 30-question CCAT practice test. For an external alternative, the JobTestPrep CCAT PrepPack includes timed simulations and score reports. You can also consult JobTestPrep's CCAT scores guide for an independent score explanation.
What This Page Covers
This guide explains the mechanics and interpretation of a displayed score range. It does not maintain a complete occupation table and it does not identify a private employer cutoff.
See CCAT scores by job for selected public examples, CCAT passing score for employer decision rules and what is a good CCAT score for broad candidate interpretation.
Score-Range Terms at a Glance
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Raw-score scale | 0 to 50 correct answers |
| General average | Mean 24.2 and median 24 in the standardization sample |
| Suggested score range | Role-associated raw-score context shown when configured |
| Custom score range | Employer or system-configured range for a position |
| Employer cutoff | Private decision rule where used |
| Practice range | Candidate's recent results across independent tests |
| Percentile range | Comparative rank interval, not raw-score points |
How the Official Suggested Range Appears
Criteria’s score-report guide explains that the first-page distribution graph can display a gray box representing the suggested score range for the associated position.
The report can indicate whether the candidate’s raw score is:
- below the range;
- within the range;
- above the range.
The public sample report currently linked from Criteria’s CCAT page is dated June 5, 2023 and lists Management with a suggested range of 20 to 50.
Treat that as an official sample-report example, not as a confirmed 2026 policy, a universal management cutoff or a recommendation for every employer using a similar title.
Where Suggested Ranges Come From
Criteria’s current CCAT page states that the assessment supports custom score ranges for a wide variety of positions. The public sample report describes its displayed position ranges as based on global norms compiled by Criteria.
This does not mean that:
- every employer uses the default range;
- every similarly named role has identical demands;
- the lower boundary automatically causes rejection;
- the upper boundary is a target candidates must reach;
- a score inside the range guarantees progression.
Suggested Range vs. General Average
The average describes the center of the standardization distribution.
A suggested range provides position-related context.
A role-associated range may begin below, near, or above the general average depending on the selected job association and current system guidance.
Do not use the average as a substitute for the range.
Suggested Range vs. Employer Cutoff
A suggested range and a hard cutoff are not identical.
An employer may:
- use the range as general context;
- use its lower boundary as one screening rule;
- create a custom range;
- compare candidates without one hard number;
- combine the CCAT with other evidence;
- use no automatic cutoff.
Only current employer information can confirm the policy for a vacancy.
What Does Below Range Mean?
It means the raw score falls below the displayed role-associated range.
It does not prove one universal outcome.
The employer may still consider:
- distance from the range;
- ability-area percentiles;
- other assessments;
- experience;
- interviews;
- work samples;
- the applicant pool.
Do not promise progression or rejection.
What Does Within Range Mean?
It means the raw score falls inside the displayed range.
This can provide positive role-related context.
It does not guarantee:
- an interview;
- progression;
- success in another assessment;
- selection over another candidate;
- a job offer.
What Does Above Range Mean?
It means the raw score exceeds the upper boundary where a bounded range is displayed.
A high cognitive result remains only one part of the application.
Do not describe it as proof that every job requirement was met.
Why Full Static Job Tables Require Caution
A copied table can become misleading because:
- Criteria can update report materials;
- employers can use custom ranges;
- job associations can change;
- similar titles can represent different work;
- a third-party table may use older information;
- an employer may use no hard cutoff.
This page should not reproduce the complete proprietary position table.
Use the CCAT score-by-job guide for a careful method of checking role information.
How to Verify a Range
Use this order:
- current employer or recruiter communication;
- current vacancy instructions;
- the official score report where available;
- current Criteria documentation;
- independent resources only as secondary context.
Confirm whether the number refers to:
- raw score;
- percentile;
- percentage correct;
- another assessment.
Create a Personal Practice Range
A personal practice range is different from an employer range.
Example:
Recent unseen timed scores: 24, 27, 26, 28
Personal practice range: 24–28
Recent mean: 26.25
Use the range to assess consistency.
Do not claim it predicts the official result.
Build a Margin Around Verified Guidance
Where an employer publishes a current raw-score requirement, one practice result at the boundary is not a stable preparation position.
Aim for consistent performance above the confirmed value while remembering that independent tests differ from the official assessment.
No practice margin guarantees progression.
Independent Preparation Options
Review complete CCAT preparation
Candidates comparing another independent provider may review JobTestPrep CCAT preparation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the CCAT score range?
The raw-score scale runs from 0 to 50. Position-associated suggested ranges can provide additional context.
Is the average score a suggested range?
No. The mean and median are single distribution statistics.
Is the lower boundary always a pass mark?
No. Only the employer can confirm how it uses the range.
Does being inside the range guarantee progression?
No.
Can employers create custom ranges?
Criteria states that custom score ranges are available for many positions.
Should I use an old online job table?
Treat it cautiously and verify current official or employer information.
Is my practice range official?
No.
Official and Independent Sources
Maintain official facts using current Criteria candidate and assessment sources:
- Official Criteria CCAT overview
- Official CCAT candidate preparation guidance
- Official Criteria candidate preparation guidance
- Official Criteria candidate practice tests
- Official Criteria candidate FAQs
- Official Criteria CCAT information brief
- Official Criteria CCAT score-report guide
- Official Criteria sample CCAT report
Independent preparation sources consulted for practice context include:
Official Criteria information controls official assessment facts, reports, event handling, and candidate guidance. Independent providers supply preparation rather than the secure live assessment.
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.
Criteria, CCAT, UCAT, HireSelect, employer names, product names, and related marks may be trademarks of their respective owners.
All original practice questions and examples on this page are independently created. They do not reproduce secure live assessment content.
Independent practice scores, percentiles, ranges, and readiness judgments are not official Criteria results or employer decisions. The official invitation, live instructions, score report, and employer communication take priority over third-party information.
Practice before test day
Start with the free CCAT practice test, the CCAT raw score guide 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.