CCAT Test Grade 2 Prep: CCAT Level 8 Practice Tests & Tips

What Is the CCAT-7?

The CCAT is designed to assess academic abilities and skills in children and is therefore used in Canada (instead of the CogAT) for admission into Canadian gifted and talented programs. The CCAT test assesses verbal, nonverbal, and quantitative abilities. This test focuses less on verbal abilities than nonverbal and quantitative abilities, making this test useful for students who are not native English speakers.

CCAT Format & Content

Overall, there are 154 questions on the grade 2 CCAT. As on each level of the CCAT, there are three batteries: Verbal, Nonverbal, and Quantitative. The batteries may be administered together or separately, depending on the needs and restrictions of the administering teacher and/or school.

Here is a short explanation regarding the questions you will find in grade 2 pack:

The verbal battery (click here for more information and sample questions):

1. Picture analogies. Here you are given three pictures, and the first two pictures go together in a certain way. You need to choose the answer that goes the same way with the third picture.
2. Sentence completion. Listen carefully to instructions and follow them to answer the question.
3. Picture classification: you are presented with three pictures that are alike in some way. You need to decide how they are alike and then choose the picture from the answer choices that is alike in the same way.

The quantitative battery (click here for more information and sample questions):

1. Number analogies: Here you are given three pictures, and the first two pictures go together in a certain way. You need to choose the answer that goes the same way with the third picture. Unlike picture analogies, here there is some kind of mathematical operation that connects the first pair of pictures, like addition and subtraction. You need to figure out this operation and use it in order to understand what the missing picture is.
2. Number series: each question shows a series of images of beads on an abacus toy. You need to figure out the rule for arranging the beads and decide how many beads should appear next in the series.
3. Number puzzles: these questions comprise of equations. You need to solve the equation to determine what number is missing.

The nonverbal battery (click here for more information and sample questions):

1. Figure matrices: each question has three shapes, and the first two shapes in the top row go together in a certain way. The third shape in the bottom row goes together in the same way with one of the answer choices.
2. Figure classification: you are presented with three shapes that are alike in some way. You need to decide how they are alike and then choose the shape from the answer choices that is alike in the same way.
3. Paper folding: look at how a square piece of paper is folded and pierced and understand the way it will look like unfolded.

How to Prepare for the CCAT Level 8

It is important that your child arrive to the CCAT test ready, as it is not an easy test. With the help of TestPrep-Online's comprehensive CCAT practice pack, together with focused studying, your child will feel ready to succeed in the CCAT.

Our CCAT practice tests simulate the actual test with the same time limitation. The explanations for the questions cannot be viewed while solving the practice tests but only at the end. After completing the practice test and submitting it, you will be provided with a detailed score report in which you will be able to view your performance, check which questions you answered correctly and which you got wrong, and view the explanations and solving tips for the questions.

Our recommendation is to try solving the practice test and then read carefully and thoroughly the explanations. Do not ignore the explanations of the questions you answered correctly – you can still learn a new strategy or a new way of thinking from them. After reading the explanations, try to solve the practice test once again. This way will enable you to track your progress and understand which are the topics you still have difficulties with. 

Here are some more tips for effective learning:

• Practice all the tests from start to end, do not skip questions. However, do not stress out because of the time limitation. It is better to gain a deep understanding of the solving ways and strategies, so work slowly and thoroughly.
• Read all the explanations.
• When you try to answer a question, first make sure you understand what you are asked to do or find. Sometimes it is helpful to write down the required steps for solving the question.
• Return to questions you did not know how to solve and make sure you understand how to solve them by now.
• Dedicate enough time every day to practice for the test. However, do not forget to rest and to take breaks. Taking some breaks from time to time would help you to reduce pressure and to restore your energy.
• Make sure you eat a healthy diet while studying for the test. It will help you to focus on the practice and avoid distractions.
• Moderate physical activity can be a very effective tool for enhancing your learning. Physical activities like walking, cycling, ball games and so on can improve your mood and your ability to concentrate on your studies.
• Do not forget to sleep, especially in the night before the test. A good sleeping after an exhausting studying will help you remember important things and will help you perform better during the test.
• Start practicing for the test at least two weeks in advance, to leave yourself plenty of time for revision.