What Is the Canadian Cognitive Skills Test?
The Canadian Cognitive Abilities Test (CCAT) is a cognitive test that is often used for admissions to gifted programs throughout Canada. The test is published by Nelson Education. As of 2024, the CCAT 7 is the latest version of the test.
The CCAT is the Canadian version of the CogAT (Cognitive Abilities Test), which is given in the United States. The test has three sections, called batteries: the Verbal Battery, the Nonverbal Battery, and the Quantitative Battery. These batteries can be administered separately or together, depending on the specific needs of the school or teacher administering the test. The CCAT is administered to students in all grades K-12.
The CCAT is a long test, and the three batteries are often given in separate testing sessions, sometimes on different days. Administration time may vary, depending on how long the proctor takes to administer the test. Students are generally given between 30-45 minutes per battery. With administration time, it takes between two to three hours to complete all three batteries. In total, the CCAT has between 118 and 176 questions, depending on the level.
Nelson distributes testing levels of the CCAT 7 in the following manner:
| Grade | Level Correspondence |
| Grade 1 | Level 7 |
| Grade 2 | Level 8 |
| Grade 3 | Level 9 |
| Grade 4 | Level 10 |
| Grade 5 | Level 11 |
| Grade 6 | Level 12 |
| Grade 7/8 | Level 13/14 |
| Grade 9/10 | Level 15/16 |
| Grade 11/12 | Level 17/18 |
What is the Difference Between CCAT and CogAT?
In comparing CCAT and CogAT, we can identify both similarities and distinctions:
Similarities:
- Both CCAT and CogAT are standardized tests that measure cognitive abilities and are used as admission tools into G&T programs.
- They encompass three domains: Verbal, Quantitative, and Nonverbal.
- Scoring includes standard age scores, percentiles, and stanines.
- These assessments evaluate reasoning skills, problem-solving abilities, and learning potential.
- They can be administered individually or in group settings.
Differences:
- CCAT is widely used in Canada, whereas CogAT is more prevalent in the United States.
- CCAT offers CCAT 7 for grades 2-12 and CCAT Kindergarten for kindergarteners. CogAT provides various forms and levels spanning kindergarten to high school.
- Although the test batteries align in content, there may be minor variations in the specific skills assessed.
CCAT Content
The test has three sections called batteries: the Verbal Battery, the Nonverbal Battery, and the Quantitative Battery. These batteries can be administered separately or together, depending on the specific needs of the school or teacher administering the test.
The Verbal Battery tracks how students apply language to reasoning. Students are tested based on their comprehension of language structure and word relationships. Questions include verbal classification, sentence completion, and verbal analogies.
The Nonverbal Battery evaluates spatial abilities independent of language. Questions on this battery include many diagrams and visual aids. Students are asked to apply their knowledge to figure classifications, figure analogies, and figure analysis. The Nonverbal Battery specifically measures reasoning and problem solving abilities.
The Quantitative Battery assesses number skills. Reasoning and problem solving skills are tracked based on mathematical ability and numerical application. Questions include quantitative relations, number series, and equation building.
CCAT Format
The CCAT 7 is a long test, and the three batteries are often given in separate testing sessions, sometimes even on different days. Administration time may vary, depending on how long the proctor takes to administer the test. Students are generally given between 30–45 minutes to complete each battery. With administration time, it takes between two and three hours to complete all three batteries. In total, the CCAT has between 118 and 176 questions, depending on the level.
CCAT Scoring
Scores received are a composite of all three of the CCAT batteries. Each student receives a score report with three different scores. The Age Percentile Rank (APR) ranks a student with others in his or her age group, whereas the Grade Percentile Rank (GPR) ranks a student within his or her grade. The final score, the Stanine (S) score, relays a specific range of scores that have predetermined ranks-—9 being very high, 1 being very low, and 4–6 being average.
How Are the CCAT Scores Used?
CCATs are generally used throughout Canada to determine if a student is eligible for a Gifted and Talented program. However, scores may also be helpful for the average student, as well as for identifying students with learning disabilities. A student’s score profile relays his or her strengths and weaknesses. Such information can be used by parents and educators to make educational decisions. The scores are also helpful in pinpointing specific enrichments that a given student may need throughout his or her grade school years.
What is a Good Score on the CCAT Test?
In general, a higher SAS, percentile, or stanine indicates a higher level of performance relative to the normative group. However, what can be considered a "good" score depends on various factors, including the purpose of the assessment, the context in which the scores are being used, and the specific norms or standards set by the educational institution or program. Usually, a score in the 90th percentile or above is considered very good.
How to Prepare for the CCAT 7?
The CCAT 7 is a very difficult test, so it is important that your child is prepared for test day. TestPrep-Online offers comprehensive study packs for the CCAT and the CogAT, which, as mentioned, is the United States version of the test.
Are you a teacher looking for more then CCAT Preparation for their students, click here!
Free CCAT Sample Questions
Below, you will find a collection of question examples from the Canadian Cognitive Abilities Test, spanning various levels and subjects. The questions alternate between different subjects to provide a comprehensive overview:
CCAT Test Verbal Battery
| CCAT 3rd Grade Practice Question-Verbal Analogies |
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The first pair of words are related in a certain way. Choose the word that completes the second pair of words so that they are related in the same way. Brain → think : nose → |
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Answer & Explanation ▼ | ▲ The correct answer is: smell. You use your brain to think like you use your nose to smell. |
| CCAT 4th Grade Practice Question-Sentence Completion |
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Choose the word that best completes the sentence. Jake ______ the other kids who had fun at summer camp while he stayed home for the summer. |
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Answer & Explanation ▼ | ▲ The correct answer is envied. The word envy means "to be jealous of." Jake was jealous of the other kids who got to have fun at camp. The answer choice "jealous" is incorrect because it is an adjective, not a verb. |
| CCAT 5th Grade Practice Question-Verbal Analogies |
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Choose the word that best fits with the group: horizontal vertical parallel |
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Answer & Explanation ▼ | ▲ The correct answer is diagonal. These are all adjectives describing the way an object is positioned. |
CCAT Test Quantitative Battery
| CCAT 3rd Grade Practice Question-Number Analogies |
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[44 → 22] [24 → 12] [30 → ?] |
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Answer & Explanation ▼ | ▲ The correct answer is 15. Look for the pattern in the first series of numbers. The difference between 44 and 22 is the division of 2. 44 = 22 2 The difference between 24 and 12 is also the division of 2. 24 = 12 2 The next series of numbers should follow the same pattern, meaning that the difference between 30 and ? should be the division of 2 as well: so 30= 15 2 ?= 15 |
| CCAT 4th Grade Practice Question-Number Series |
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What number comes next in the series? 10 1 9 2 8 3 7 4 6 ? |
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Answer & Explanation ▼ | ▲ The correct answer is 5. In this series, the pattern is as follows: first, 9 is subtracted, then 8 is added, then 7 is subtracted, then 6 is added, and so on. The pattern is: -9, +8, -7, +6, ... The last two numbers in this series are 4 and 6, 6 is larger than 4 by 2, so the next number in the series should be smaller than 6 by 1. 6 - 1 = 5 Alternatively, we can look at the pattern as the combination of two separate patterns that alternate. One pattern (the odd terms) is a series of numbers that decrease by 1, and the other pattern (the even terms) is a series that increases by 1. The pattern is: 10, 1, 9, 2, 8, 3, 7, 4, 6, ... We are missing the tenth number which is an even term, therefore it should be greater than the last even term (the eighth number) by 1. The eighth number is 4, so: 4 + 1 = 5 Therefore, 5 is the correct answer. |
| CCAT 5th Grade Practice Question-Number Puzzles |
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Solve. 25 = ? ÷ 5 |
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Answer & Explanation ▼ | ▲ The correct answer is 125. We are asked to solve for the '?'. The first thing to notice when solving this type of question is that both sides of the equation must be equal. What number divided by 5 equals 25? To solve it, we need to reverse the operation and multiply 25 by 5: 25 × 5 = 125. This means that ? = 125. |
CCAT Test Non-Verbal Battery
| CCAT 3rd Grade Practice Question-Figure Matrices |
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Choose the picture that belongs with the bottom picture in the same way the pictures on top belong together.
A) B) C) D) E) |
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Answer & Explanation ▼ | ▲ The correct answer is C. The relationship between the first two figures is as follows: the circle moves to the opposite side of the rectangle, and the rectangle grows longer. The correct answer must have the same relationship with the third figure. This means that C is the correct answer. |
| CCAT 4th Grade Practice Question-Paper Folding |
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The paper is being folded and punched with holes. Choose the answer choice that depicts the paper after it is unfolded.
A) B) C) D) E) |
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Answer & Explanation ▼ | ▲ The correct answer is C
To solve this question look for the answer choices in which the holes do not mirror each other in the right way. The 2nd and 4th choices can be eliminated in this way. |
| CCAT 5th Grade Practice Question-Figure Classification |
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The given shapes have a certain pattern. Choose the answer choice that follows the same pattern.
A) B) C) D) E) |
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Answer & Explanation ▼ | ▲ The correct answer is A. The only answer choice which follows this rule is the 1st choice. Therefore, the 1st choice is the correct answer. |
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