CCAT Word Problems: Translation Methods & Examples
CCAT word problems test whether you can convert a short situation into the correct arithmetic operation or equation.
The arithmetic is usually less difficult than the translation.
A candidate can lose time by:
- calculating before identifying the question;
- using the wrong base value;
- mixing units;
- reversing a ratio;
- overlooking a total;
- solving for the wrong quantity.
Criteria groups numerical work within Math and Logic and does not publish one fixed number of word problems for every live test.
Practice timed CCAT math questions
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Use our CCAT practice comparison and online tests first, or take the free 30-question CCAT practice test. For an external numerical guide, review JobTestPrep's CCAT math questions. Its complete CCAT PrepPack is another independent option.
Scope and Official Context
This page focuses on translating short situations into operations, equations, rates, ratios and percentages. The wording and values are independently created and are not secure Criteria items.
Criteria’s current candidate guidance confirms 50 questions in 15 minutes, no calculator, no additional penalty for an incorrect answer, and advice to guess and move on when a question consumes too much time.
The Four-Step Translation Method
For most word problems:
- identify what is being asked;
- write the important numbers with labels;
- choose the relationship or operation;
- estimate before calculating.
Example:
A team completes 84 files in 7 hours at a constant rate. How many files will it complete in 5 hours?
Write:
84 files ÷ 7 hours = 12 files per hour
12 × 5 = 60 files
Answer: 60.
The labels prevent you from multiplying or dividing the wrong quantities.
Recognize Translation Words Carefully
Common wording can suggest an operation:
| Wording | Possible operation |
|---|---|
| total, combined, altogether | addition |
| difference, fewer, remaining | subtraction |
| each, groups of, times | multiplication |
| per, shared equally, average rate | division |
| of | multiplication in many percentage questions |
| is | equals |
| more than | addition after the reference quantity |
| less than | subtraction from the reference quantity |
These are clues, not automatic rules. Read the complete sentence.
One-Step Arithmetic Problems
Example:
A warehouse has 275 units and ships 68. How many remain?
275 - 68 = 207
Answer: 207.
Use estimation:
275 - about 70 ≈ 205
This confirms that 207 is reasonable.
Multi-Step Problems
Example:
A company buys 8 boxes containing 24 labels each and uses 57 labels. How many labels remain?
First find the total:
8 × 24 = 192
Then subtract those used:
192 - 57 = 135
Answer: 135.
Do not subtract 57 from 24. Identify the complete starting quantity first.
Rate Problems
Use:
rate = quantity ÷ time
Example:
Four machines produce 240 parts in 6 hours at the same combined rate. How many parts do they produce in 9 hours?
Combined hourly rate:
240 ÷ 6 = 40 parts per hour
Then:
40 × 9 = 360
Answer: 360.
The information about four machines is not needed because the problem already provides the combined output. Do not force every number into the calculation.
Per-Person or Per-Machine Problems
Example:
Five employees process 300 forms in 4 hours at equal rates. How many forms will eight employees process in 3 hours?
Machine-hours or employee-hours provide a compact method:
5 × 4 = 20 employee-hours
300 ÷ 20 = 15 forms per employee-hour
8 × 3 = 24 employee-hours
24 × 15 = 360 forms
Answer: 360.
Average Problems
Use:
average = total ÷ number of values
For a missing value:
required total - known total = missing value
Example:
Six scores have an average of 21. Five scores are 17, 18, 22, 24, and 20. What is the sixth score?
Required total:
6 × 21 = 126
Known total:
17 + 18 + 22 + 24 + 20 = 101
Missing score:
126 - 101 = 25
Answer: 25.
Percentage-of Problems
Example:
A department completes 35% of 240 applications. How many applications is that?
Use:
35% = 0.35
0.35 × 240 = 84
A faster mental method is:
30% of 240 = 72
5% of 240 = 12
72 + 12 = 84
Answer: 84.
See the CCAT percentages and ratios guide for deeper methods.
Percentage Change Problems
Example:
A fee rises from £80 to £92. What is the percentage increase?
Change:
92 - 80 = 12
Divide by the original value:
12 ÷ 80 = 0.15
Convert to a percentage:
15%
Answer: 15%.
The original value is the base.
Ratio Problems
Example:
The ratio of red files to blue files is 3:5. There are 40 files in total. How many are red?
Total ratio parts:
3 + 5 = 8
Value of each part:
40 ÷ 8 = 5
Red files:
3 × 5 = 15
Answer: 15.
Preserve the label order.
Cost and Unit-Price Problems
Example:
Seven notebooks cost £24.50 at the same price. How much do ten cost?
Price per notebook:
24.50 ÷ 7 = 3.50
Ten notebooks:
10 × 3.50 = 35.00
Answer: £35.
Distance, Rate, and Time
Use:
distance = rate × time
Example:
A vehicle travels at 72 kilometres per hour for 2.5 hours. How far does it travel?
72 × 2.5 = 72 × 2 + 72 × 0.5
= 144 + 36
= 180
Answer: 180 kilometres.
Keep the units consistent.
Irrelevant Information
Example:
A store opens at 9:00, employs 12 people, and sells 18 items per hour for 6 hours. How many items are sold?
Only the rate and time are needed:
18 × 6 = 108
Answer: 108.
The opening time and employee count are distractors.
Use the Answer Choices
If exact calculation appears long:
- estimate the range;
- eliminate impossible signs;
- compare units;
- test simple answer choices;
- work backward when appropriate.
Example:
A number increased by 25% becomes 100. What was the original number?
The original is less than 100. Test 80:
25% of 80 = 20
80 + 20 = 100
Answer: 80.
Common Word-Problem Mistakes
- Solving for the wrong quantity.
- Using the new value as the percentage-change base.
- Mixing minutes and hours.
- Reversing ratio labels.
- Averaging without finding the total.
- Multiplying when a per-unit rate requires division first.
- Using every number even when one is irrelevant.
- Completing exact work before estimating.
Timed Strategy
During a timed simulation:
- read the final question first when the wording is dense;
- label the quantities;
- identify the relationship;
- estimate;
- calculate with the shortest reliable method;
- eliminate and guess when the setup remains unclear.
Do not let one long paragraph consume a full minute. Criteria advises moving on when a problem becomes a major time trap.
Original Practice Examples
Example 1
Nine packages contain 16 items each. Thirty-five items are removed. How many remain?
9 × 16 - 35 = 144 - 35 = 109
Answer: 109.
Example 2
A team completes 150 tasks in 5 hours. At the same rate, how many tasks in 8 hours?
150 ÷ 5 = 30
30 × 8 = 240
Answer: 240.
Example 3
Four values average 27. Three are 21, 26, and 31. What is the fourth?
4 × 27 = 108
21 + 26 + 31 = 78
108 - 78 = 30
Answer: 30.
Practice before test day
Start with the free CCAT practice test, the CCAT math 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 CCATPracticeTest.com practice options and the JobTestPrep CCAT PrepPack.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are CCAT word problems advanced mathematics?
They generally rely on basic arithmetic, percentages, ratios, averages, rates, and simple algebra rather than advanced mathematics.
Can I use a calculator?
No. Prepare using calculator-free methods.
Should I write an equation for every problem?
Use labels or a compact equation when it reduces confusion. Some one-step problems can be solved mentally.
What if a problem contains too much text?
Identify the final question, extract only the needed quantities, and ignore irrelevant details.
Where can I practice more?
Use the CCAT math practice page 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. The examples are original and do not reproduce secure live assessment content.