CCAT vs. Criteria Personality Test: What Each Measures
The CCAT and a Criteria personality assessment answer different questions.
The CCAT measures cognitive aptitude through right-or-wrong reasoning items. Criteria personality assessments measure behavioral tendencies, work style and job-fit-related traits without a conventional answer key.
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Use our CCAT practice comparison and free 30-question practice test. Another independent option is the JobTestPrep CCAT PrepPack.
CCAT vs. Personality Assessment at a Glance
| Feature | CCAT | Criteria personality assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Main construct | Cognitive aptitude | Behavioral tendencies and work style |
| Right or wrong answers | Yes | No conventional answer key |
| Standard CCAT format | 50 questions, 15 minutes | Product dependent |
| Main report | Raw score, percentile and ability information | Trait scores, job-fit information or behavioral profile |
| Preparation emphasis | Methods, pacing, accuracy and guessing | Honest, attentive and consistent responding |
| Can scores be combined by candidate? | No | No |
What the CCAT Measures
The CCAT measures problem solving, critical thinking, learning ability and the application of new information through Verbal Ability, Math and Logic, and Spatial Reasoning.
Performance depends on both accuracy and speed. Candidates can improve familiarity with question formats, calculator-free methods and pacing.
What Criteria Personality Tests Measure
Criteria offers several personality products rather than one universal Criteria personality test.
The Employee Personality Profile, for example, contains 140 items, takes about 10 minutes and reports twelve workplace-related traits. Criteria also offers the Criteria Personality Inventory, Illustrait, Workplace Alignment Assessment and role-specific products.
These assessments may examine traits such as conscientiousness, openness, extroversion, achievement, stress tolerance or interpersonal style. Exact traits and report structures depend on the assigned product.
Why an Employer May Assign Both
Cognitive aptitude and personality provide different information.
An employer may use the CCAT to assess how quickly a candidate learns and solves unfamiliar problems, while using a personality assessment to explore behavioral fit, work style or role-related tendencies.
Neither result should be interpreted in isolation as a complete prediction of job performance. Employers may also use interviews, experience, skills tests and work samples.
Score Differences
The CCAT has objectively correct answers. Its raw score is the number correct out of 50, and Criteria reports a percentile relative to a norm group.
Personality reports do not use a comparable raw score. They may show trait percentiles, job-match information or narrative interpretations.
Do not compare:
- a CCAT percentile with an EPP trait percentile;
- a cognitive raw score with a personality job-match score;
- a high or low personality trait with a pass or fail result;
- separate products as though they share one scale.
Preparation Differences
CCAT Preparation
- learn the exact format;
- practice verbal, numerical, logical and spatial questions;
- work without a calculator;
- use timed mixed simulations;
- review errors, guesses and time traps.
Personality Assessment Preparation
- confirm the exact assessment name;
- understand that there is no conventional correct profile;
- read each statement carefully;
- respond honestly rather than trying to imitate an imagined ideal employee;
- avoid overthinking minor wording differences;
- complete the assessment in a calm, interruption-free setting.
Trying to manipulate a personality profile can create inconsistent responses and does not replace genuine role fit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I study answer explanations for a personality test?
There is no CCAT-style answer key. General familiarity can reduce uncertainty, but the purpose is to describe tendencies rather than reward memorized responses.
Can an employer use both tests in one hiring process?
Yes. Criteria supports assessment batteries containing multiple products.
Does a personality assessment have a passing score?
Employer interpretation depends on the product, role and decision process. Do not assume one universal pass mark.
Should I answer personality items as quickly as CCAT questions?
No. The timing and purpose differ. Read carefully and answer naturally rather than applying CCAT pacing.
Sources
- Official Criteria CCAT overview
- Official EPP overview
- Criteria personality assessments
- CCAT test-format guide
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