CCAT Criteria Cognitive Aptitude Test — Questions and Answers

Question 1: DROUGHT : RAIN :: FAMINE : ___

War
Harvest
Poverty
Food (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Food

Drought is a lack of rain; famine is a lack of food.

Question 2: Four figures each show a shape rotated 90°, except one which is reflected. Which is the odd one out if Figure A is rotated 90° CW, Figure B is rotated 90° CCW, Figure C is reflected horizontally, and Figure D is rotated 90° CW?

Figure C (Correct answer)
Figure B
Figure A
Figure D

Correct answer: Figure C

Figure C is a reflection, while all others are rotations.

Question 3: The athlete trained with ______ dedication, practicing for six hours every day regardless of weather or fatigue.

sporadic
unwavering (Correct answer)
reluctant
halfhearted

Correct answer: unwavering

Unwavering means steady and resolute, fitting someone who maintains consistent dedication without exception.

Question 4: Given that the first two statements are true, which of the following statements is a certain conclusion? 1. No remote employees work in the logistics department. 2. Sarah is a remote employee.

All logistics employees work in the office.
Sarah does not work in the logistics department. (Correct answer)
Sarah works in the sales department.
Sarah has never been to the office.

Correct answer: Sarah does not work in the logistics department.

The first premise establishes a complete separation between the group of 'remote employees' and the group of 'logistics department employees'. Since Sarah belongs to the first group, she cannot possibly belong to the second.

Question 5: A pattern alternates between two figures that are mirror images of each other. Figure 1 has an arrow pointing left. Figure 2 has an arrow pointing right. What does Figure 5 show?

Arrow pointing down
Arrow pointing left (Correct answer)
Arrow pointing right
Arrow pointing up

Correct answer: Arrow pointing left

Odd-numbered figures match Figure 1 (arrow left), so Figure 5 has an arrow pointing left.

Question 6: Examine the 3x3 matrix of symbols. A logical pattern exists both horizontally and vertically. Identify the answer choice that should replace the question mark in the bottom-right cell. Row 1: [One black dot], [Two black dots], [Three black dots] Row 2: [Two black dots], [Three black dots], [Four black dots] Row 3: [Three black dots], [Four black dots], [?]

Four black dots
Six black dots
Five black dots (Correct answer)
Three black dots

Correct answer: Five black dots

The pattern is an arithmetic progression. Across each row, the number of dots increases by one from left to right. Down each column, the number of dots also increases by one from top to bottom. Following this logic for the third row (3, 4, ...), the next number of dots should be five. Following the logic for the third column (3, 4, ...), the next number should also be five.

Question 7: A store sells notebooks for $3.50 each. A customer buys 8 notebooks and pays with a $50 bill. How much change do they receive?

$18.00
$28.00
$32.00
$22.00 (Correct answer)

Correct answer: $22.00

Cost = 8 x $3.50 = $28.00. Change = $50.00 - $28.00 = $22.00.

Question 8: Exactly three of four statements are true. Statement 1: The sky is blue. Statement 2: 2+2=5. Statement 3: Paris is in France. Statement 4: Dogs are reptiles. Which statement is the false one?

Statement 3
Statement 2 (Correct answer)
Statement 4
Statement 1

Correct answer: Statement 2

Statements 1, 3 are clearly true; Statement 2 (2+2=5) and Statement 4 are false, but since exactly one is false, Statement 2 is factually false while Statement 4 is also false — re-evaluating: Statements 1 and 3 are true, Statements 2 and 4 are false. Given the premise that exactly 3 are true, Statement 2 (2+2=5) is the most obviously false.

Question 9: A clock loses 5 minutes every hour. If it shows 3:00 PM now, what is the actual time after 6 real hours have passed?

8:45 PM
9:30 PM
9:00 PM
8:30 PM (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 8:30 PM

The clock loses 30 minutes total over 6 hours, so it shows 8:30 PM while the actual time is 9:00 PM — but the question asks what the clock shows: 8:30 PM.

Question 10: Argument: 'Students who eat breakfast perform better on tests. Therefore, schools should provide free breakfast.' Which of the following, if true, most weakens this argument?

Breakfast programs have been shown to improve school attendance.
Test performance is one indicator of school success.
Most students who skip breakfast do so because they are not hungry in the morning, not because of lack of access. (Correct answer)
Schools in other countries already provide free breakfast.

Correct answer: Most students who skip breakfast do so because they are not hungry in the morning, not because of lack of access.

The argument assumes students skip breakfast due to lack of access. If they skip by choice, a free program may not improve test performance, undermining the policy recommendation.

Question 11: Which word is most nearly OPPOSITE in meaning to TACITURN?

Silent
Reserved
Garrulous (Correct answer)
Shy

Correct answer: Garrulous

Taciturn means reserved or uncommunicative; garrulous means excessively talkative — its opposite.

Question 12: NOVEL : CHAPTER :: SYMPHONY : ___

Instrument
Movement (Correct answer)
Note
Conductor

Correct answer: Movement

A novel is divided into chapters; a symphony is divided into movements.

Question 13: Which word is most nearly OPPOSITE in meaning to BENEVOLENT?

Generous
Charitable
Kind
Malicious (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Malicious

Benevolent means well-meaning and kindly, so malicious (intending harm) is its antonym.

Question 14: What comes next? 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, ___

42 (Correct answer)
40
46
44

Correct answer: 42

Arithmetic sequence with common difference 7: 35 + 7 = 42.

Question 15: What comes next? 4, 9, 16, 25, 36, ___

42
49 (Correct answer)
45
47

Correct answer: 49

These are perfect squares: 2², 3², 4², 5², 6², so next is 7² = 49.

Question 16: The repairs to the historic bridge were ______, designed to preserve the original structure while reinforcing its weakened sections.

sympathetic (Correct answer)
haphazard
radical
destructive

Correct answer: sympathetic

Sympathetic in the context of restoration means respectful of and compatible with the original design.

Question 17: A 3x3 grid contains shapes with different shadings. There is a logical rule that applies to the rows and columns. Select the option that correctly completes the grid. Row 1: [Unfilled Circle], [Half-filled Circle (right side)], [Filled Circle] Row 2: [Unfilled Square], [Half-filled Square (right side)], [Filled Square] Row 3: [Unfilled Triangle], [?], [Filled Triangle]

Filled Square
Half-filled Circle (left side)
Unfilled Triangle
Half-filled Triangle (right side) (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Half-filled Triangle (right side)

Two patterns are present. Down each column, the shape is consistent (Circle, Square, Triangle). Across each row, the shading pattern is consistent: Unfilled, Half-filled, and then Fully Filled. The missing cell is in the 'Triangle' row and the 'Half-filled' column. Therefore, the correct answer is a Half-filled Triangle.

Question 18: All X are Y. All Y are Z. No Z are W. Therefore:

Some Z are X
All X are W
Some X are W
No X are W (Correct answer)

Correct answer: No X are W

X → Y → Z, and since no Z are W, no X can be W.

Question 19: All managers are employees. Some employees are part-time workers. Which conclusion must be true?

No managers are part-time workers
All managers are part-time workers
Some employees are managers (Correct answer)
Some managers are part-time workers

Correct answer: Some employees are managers

Since all managers are employees, it follows that some employees (namely the managers) are managers.

Question 20: A car was worth $24,000 when new and depreciated by 15% in the first year. What is its value after one year?

$22,000
$19,200
$20,400 (Correct answer)
$21,600

Correct answer: $20,400

Depreciation = 15% of $24,000 = $3,600. New value = $24,000 - $3,600 = $20,400.

Question 21: Passage: 'The factory switched from coal to natural gas, reducing its carbon emissions by 40%. Despite this improvement, the facility remains one of the top ten highest-emitting plants in the region.' What can be inferred about regional emissions?

Regional emissions overall are quite high (Correct answer)
The switch to natural gas had no measurable effect
Other regional plants emit very little by comparison
The factory now has zero carbon emissions

Correct answer: Regional emissions overall are quite high

If this plant, after a 40% reduction, still ranks in the top ten highest emitters, the region's total emissions must be substantial.

Question 22: A report header reads: 'Quarterly Sales Report — Q3 2025, Prepared by: Marketing Deparment, Date: July 14, 2025.' What error is present?

The quarter is wrong
The date is wrong
'Department' is misspelled (Correct answer)
The year is wrong

Correct answer: 'Department' is misspelled

'Deparment' is missing the letter 't' — the correct spelling is 'Department.'

Question 23: The board of directors was impressed with the new CEO, whose management style brought a sense of to the struggling company.

passive, division
autocratic, confusion
erratic, stability
collaborative, cohesion (Correct answer)

Correct answer: collaborative, cohesion

The phrase 'impressed with the new CEO' suggests a positive outcome. A 'collaborative' style, meaning working together, would logically lead to 'cohesion,' or a state of unity. The other pairs present contradictions; for instance, an 'autocratic' (dictatorial) style is unlikely to be praised if it brings 'confusion'.

Question 24: In an abstract series, each figure is a square with a shape inside that moves one vertex clockwise each step. The shape starts at the top-left. Where is it after four steps?

Bottom-right
Bottom-left
Top-right
Top-left (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Top-left

Moving one vertex clockwise each step through four vertices returns the shape to the starting top-left position.

Question 25: No mammals are cold-blooded. All snakes are cold-blooded. Which statement must be true?

Some mammals are snakes
Some snakes are mammals
No snakes are mammals (Correct answer)
All snakes are mammals

Correct answer: No snakes are mammals

No mammals are cold-blooded, and all snakes are cold-blooded, so snakes and mammals share no members.

Question 26: Tools: compass, protractor, ruler, calculator. Which is the odd one out for 'used to measure angles'?

Protractor
Ruler (Correct answer)
Compass
Calculator

Correct answer: Ruler

A protractor measures angles directly. A compass draws arcs used in angle construction. A ruler measures lengths, not angles.

Question 27: Product A sold 240 units at $15 each; Product B sold 180 units at $22 each. What is the combined total revenue from both products?

$6,840
$7,200
$7,560 (Correct answer)
$8,100

Correct answer: $7,560

Product A: 240 × $15 = $3,600; Product B: 180 × $22 = $3,960; total = $7,560.

Question 28: If 15% of a number is 45, what is 40% of the same number?

180
90
100
120 (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 120

15% of N = 45, so N = 300. Then 40% of 300 = 120.

Question 29: A table shows: Row 1: 3, 6, 9 | Row 2: 4, 8, 12 | Row 3: 5, 10, 16. Which cell contains an error?

Row 3, Column 3 (Correct answer)
Row 2, Column 2
Row 1, Column 3
Row 2, Column 3

Correct answer: Row 3, Column 3

Each row multiplies its first number by 1, 2, 3. Row 3: 5x1=5, 5x2=10, 5x3=15 (not 16). Row 3, Column 3 should be 15.

Question 30: 22. What is the following number in the series?<br/> 45, 15, 30, 30,10, 20, ?

40
10
5
20 (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 20

The series can be broken into repeating sets of three numbers, where the first number of each set is divided by 3 to get the second number, and the second number is then multiplied by 2 to get the third number. For example, (45 / 3 = 15, 15 * 2 = 30) and (30 / 3 = 10, 10 * 2 = 20). The next number in the series will be the start of the next triplet, which is the last number of the previous triplet, 20.

Question 31: Look at the pattern: 2, 6, 18, 54, ___. What comes next?

72
162 (Correct answer)
108
216

Correct answer: 162

Each term is multiplied by 3: 54 × 3 = 162.

Question 32: In a 3×3 matrix, the number of sides of each shape increases by 1 going down each column (triangle, square, pentagon). Going across each row, the shapes are filled, outlined, then striped. The center cell (square, striped) is shown. What is the bottom-right cell?

Pentagon, outlined
Pentagon, striped (Correct answer)
Hexagon, striped
Pentagon, filled

Correct answer: Pentagon, striped

Bottom row = pentagon (5 sides), right column = striped, so bottom-right is a striped pentagon.

Question 33: In an abstract matrix, the number of sides of each shape increases by one across each row (3, 4, 5) and also increases by one down each column. The top-left is a triangle (3 sides). What shape appears in the bottom-right of a 3×3 grid?

Octagon (8 sides)
Hexagon (6 sides)
Heptagon (7 sides) (Correct answer)
Pentagon (5 sides)

Correct answer: Heptagon (7 sides)

Starting at 3 sides and adding 1 per step, the bottom-right position (row 3, col 3) = 3+2+2 = 7 sides.

Question 34: A sequence of figures is presented within a 3x3 grid. In figure 1, the top row is shaded black. In figure 2, the middle row is shaded black. In figure 3, the bottom row is shaded black. What is the next logical figure in this series?

A grid where the top row is shaded black again. (Correct answer)
A grid where the right column is shaded black.
A grid where the left column is shaded black.
A grid where all cells are shaded black.

Correct answer: A grid where the top row is shaded black again.

The pattern shows a shaded row moving downwards from top to bottom. After the shaded row reaches the bottom, the pattern cycles back to the beginning. Therefore, the next figure will have the top row shaded again.

Question 35: Passage: 'The new policy limits overtime to 10 hours per week per employee. Exceptions may be granted by a department head with written justification submitted to HR.' What must happen for an employee to exceed the overtime limit?

The employee works extra hours and files a report afterward
A department head provides written justification to HR (Correct answer)
The employee requests overtime directly from HR
HR automatically approves overtime for senior employees

Correct answer: A department head provides written justification to HR

The passage states exceptions require a department head's written justification submitted to HR.

Question 36: Which letter is the odd one out based on vertical symmetry? A) A B) B C) H D) T

T
B (Correct answer)
H
A

Correct answer: B

A, H, and T have vertical lines of symmetry. B only has a horizontal line of symmetry.

Question 37: FREEZING : ICE :: EVAPORATION : ?

Cloud
Liquid
Rain
Steam (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Steam

Freezing produces ice; evaporation produces steam.

Question 38: All items in Group X are red. Item Z is not red. Which is necessarily true?

Item Z has no color
Item Z is in another group
Item Z is not in Group X (Correct answer)
Item Z is in Group X

Correct answer: Item Z is not in Group X

If all Group X items are red and Item Z is not red, Item Z cannot be in Group X.

Question 39: A series of figures starts with a single vertical line. The second figure shows two lines forming a right angle ('L' shape). The third figure shows three lines forming an open square ('U' shape). What is the next figure in this series?

A complete square formed by four lines. (Correct answer)
A triangle formed by three lines.
A five-sided open figure.
Two separate vertical lines.

Correct answer: A complete square formed by four lines.

This is a constructive series where one line segment is added in a logical sequence with each step to build a larger shape. The sequence is building a square. After the 'U' shape formed by three lines, the next logical step is to add the fourth line to complete the square.

Question 40: SCORCHING is to WARM as _____ is to GUST.

Wind
Typhoon (Correct answer)
Storm
Breeze

Correct answer: Typhoon

The analogy shows a relationship of degree or intensity. SCORCHING is a higher intensity of WARM. Similarly, a TYPHOON is a much higher intensity of a GUST of wind. A breeze is less intense, and wind and storm are related but don't fit the same 'degree of intensity' pattern as precisely.

Question 41: 25. What would the next number in the series be?<br/> 7 | 14 | 28 | 32 | 64 | 128 | ? | ?

205 | 520
352 | 680
132 | 264 (Correct answer)
260 | 1120

Correct answer: 132 | 264

The series follows a repeating pattern of operations. It consists of two multiplications by 2, followed by an addition of 4. Specifically, the pattern is (x2, x2, +4), then (x2, x2, +4) again. Following 128, the next operation is +4, yielding 132, and then the subsequent operation is x2, resulting in 264.

Question 42: Premises: All squares are rectangles. Shape X is not a rectangle. Conclusion: Shape X is not a square.

Invalid
Possibly valid
Cannot determine
Valid (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Valid

Contrapositive: not-rectangle implies not-square. Shape X is not a rectangle, so it cannot be a square.

Question 43: Which word is most nearly OPPOSITE in meaning to MAGNANIMOUS?

Brave
Humble
Generous
Petty (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Petty

Magnanimous means very generous and forgiving; petty means small-minded and ungenerous.

Question 44: A visual series shows alternating patterns: shaded-unshaded-shaded-unshaded in a row of 4 squares. In the next row the pattern shifts one cell to the right. In row 3, which cell is shaded first?

Cell 2
Cell 4
Cell 3 (Correct answer)
Cell 1

Correct answer: Cell 3

Row 1 starts shaded at cell 1, Row 2 shifts right (shaded at cell 2), Row 3 shifts again so the first shaded cell is cell 3.

Question 45: Premises: If Maria studies, she passes. Maria did not pass. Conclusion: Maria did not study.

Invalid — denying the antecedent
Valid — modus tollens (Correct answer)
Invalid — affirming the consequent
Valid — modus ponens

Correct answer: Valid — modus tollens

Modus tollens: If P then Q; not Q; therefore not P. Studies implies passes; did not pass; therefore did not study.

Question 46: In a 3x3 matrix, each row contains shapes in three shadings: white, gray, black. Row 1: white circle, gray square, black triangle. Row 2: gray circle, black square, white triangle. Row 3: black circle, white square, ___.

Black triangle
Gray triangle (Correct answer)
White triangle
Gray circle

Correct answer: Gray triangle

Each shading appears once per row and per column. Row 3 needs gray. The triangle column has black (row 1) and white (row 2), needing gray.

Question 47: Four figures show pairs of overlapping shapes: three pairs overlap partially (sharing an area), but one pair of shapes is entirely separate with no overlap. Which is the odd one out?

Pair D (partial overlap)
Pair A (partial overlap)
Pair C (no overlap) (Correct answer)
Pair B (partial overlap)

Correct answer: Pair C (no overlap)

Pair C has no overlapping area between the two shapes, unlike the other three pairs.

Question 48: Each row in a 3×3 grid contains a large, medium, and small version of the same shape. The top row has large circle, medium circle, small circle. The middle row has large square, medium square, small square. The bottom row has large triangle, medium triangle, and a missing piece. What is missing?

Small triangle (Correct answer)
Medium circle
Small square
Large triangle

Correct answer: Small triangle

Each row decreases in size left to right, so the bottom row ends with a small triangle.

Question 49: What number is missing? 2, 5, 10, 17, 26, ___, 50

37 (Correct answer)
36
35
38

Correct answer: 37

Differences increase by 2 each step: +3, +5, +7, +9, +11; so 26 + 11 = 37.

Question 50: A survey of 200 employees shows: 40% prefer remote work, 35% prefer hybrid, 25% prefer office. How many employees prefer hybrid work?

90
70 (Correct answer)
50
80

Correct answer: 70

200 × 0.35 = 70 employees prefer hybrid work.

Question 51: Which word is most similar in meaning to FURTIVE?

Secretive (Correct answer)
Bold
Honest
Open

Correct answer: Secretive

Furtive means done in a stealthy or secretive manner, making secretive the best synonym.

CCAT Criteria Cognitive Aptitude Test

The CCAT is a pre-employment cognitive aptitude test with 50 questions in 15 minutes, measuring spatial reasoning, verbal ability, and math/logic skills.

Questions

15 min

Time Limit

48%

To Pass

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