CCAT vs. CogAT: Employment and School Tests Compared

The CCAT and CogAT are not the same assessment.

The CCAT is the Criteria Cognitive Aptitude Test used in employment selection. CogAT is the Cognitive Abilities Test published by Riverside Insights for K–12 education.

The similar names cause confusion, but the publishers, populations, purposes, formats and score reports differ.

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CCAT vs. CogAT at a Glance

Purpose and Population

The CCAT helps employers assess learning ability, problem solving, critical thinking and the application of new information.

CogAT is designed for educational use. Schools may use it as one part of gifted-program identification, instructional planning or understanding students’ reasoning profiles.

A job applicant should not use school-level CogAT materials as a substitute for CCAT preparation merely because both names contain Cognitive Abilities or a similar acronym.

Content Differences

The CCAT mixes verbal, numerical, logical and spatial items under severe time pressure.

CogAT uses separate Verbal, Quantitative and Nonverbal batteries, with content and administration varying by level and form. Its educational design, item presentation and reporting system are distinct from the CCAT.

Some broad reasoning skills overlap, such as identifying relationships and patterns, but the test experience is not interchangeable.

Score Differences

A CCAT raw score is the number correct out of 50. Criteria also reports a percentile relative to an employment norm group.

CogAT reports educationally oriented scores and profiles. These may include age- or grade-based comparisons and battery-level results.

Do not convert:

• a CogAT Standard Age Score into a CCAT raw score;
• a school percentile into an employment percentile;
• a CogAT battery profile into a CCAT category result.

How to Identify the Correct Test

A job invitation that names Criteria, HireSelect, the Criteria Cognitive Aptitude Test or a 50-question, 15-minute test points toward the employment CCAT.

A school communication naming Riverside Insights, CogAT, a grade level, testing battery or gifted-program process refers to the educational assessment.

Preparation Differences

For the CCAT:

• practice 50-question, 15-minute mixed simulations;
• develop calculator-free arithmetic;
• review verbal, logic and spatial methods;
• practice educated guessing and pacing.

For CogAT:

• use age- and level-appropriate materials;
• follow school guidance;
• avoid excessive test coaching that conflicts with the school’s purpose;
• prepare for the correct verbal, quantitative and nonverbal battery level.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is CogAT used by employers?

CogAT is principally a K–12 educational assessment. The CCAT is the relevant Criteria employment test discussed on this site.

Is CCAT used for gifted identification?

The Criteria CCAT is an employment assessment, not a K–12 gifted-screening test.

Can one percentile be compared with the other?

No. The norm groups, populations and purposes differ.

Are the publishers related?

No. Criteria publishes the employment CCAT; Riverside Insights publishes CogAT.

Sources

• Official Criteria CCAT overview
• Official Riverside Insights CogAT information
• CCAT test-format guide

Independent-Site Notice

CCATPracticeTest.com is independent and is not Criteria Corp, Riverside Insights, a school, an employer or a score-reporting service.