CCAT Score Guide
Last updated: September 2026
The CCAT reports two numbers: a raw score (how many of the 50 questions you answered correctly) and a percentile rank. The percentile compares you against Criteria's norm group of working adults. There is no official pass mark — each employer sets its own cutoff, so the percentile is the number that actually matters.
How CCAT scoring works
- Raw score — the number of correct answers out of 50. Wrong answers and blanks both count as zero, which is why guessing is free.
- Percentile — where your performance falls relative to the norm group. Criteria standardized the CCAT on a sample of 985 working adults aged 18 and over, assessed for employee selection.
- What employers see — usually the percentile, sometimes alongside the raw score and a category breakdown (verbal, numerical, spatial).
What counts as a good score?
Honest answer: it depends entirely on the employer and the role. There is no universal "passing" number, and any site quoting one is guessing. What you can do is read the percentile correctly:
| Percentile | What it means |
|---|---|
| 90th+ | Scored above roughly 90% of the norm group — top decile performance |
| 75th | Scored above roughly three quarters of the norm group |
| 50th | The middle — by definition, half score above, half below |
| Below 50th | At or below average relative to the norm group |
As a rule of thumb: average or slightly above (around the 50th percentile) is competitive for many roles. Selective employers — tech, finance, consulting, and high-volume remote platforms — often screen in the upper percentiles, and for those roles pacing practice pays for itself.
Why raw scores are misleading
Two candidates can both answer 30 questions correctly and land in different percentiles, because the raw score is only meaningful relative to the norm group. This is also why "how many correct answers do I need?" has no stable answer. If a recruiter asks about a raw score, the percentile is still the number behind the decision.
How to improve your score
- Fix pacing first. Most score loss happens on questions you could have solved with more time. Practice full 15-minute sets until ~18 seconds per question feels normal.
- Never leave a blank. No penalty for wrong answers means every blank is a wasted lottery ticket.
- Drill your weakest category. Verbal, numerical, and spatial respond to different practice. Category-level drills move the aggregate faster than more full tests.
- Front-load confidence. Early questions are easier. The score you bank in the first 5 minutes buys patience for the harder back half.
See where you stand
Free timed test, no account required. Then track your category breakdown.
Start the free CCAT testFrequently asked questions
What is a good CCAT score?
There's no official threshold. Around the 50th percentile is competitive for many roles; selective employers often screen in the upper percentiles. Your employer's cutoff is the only one that counts.
What is the average CCAT score?
Criteria doesn't publish a single official average. By definition, the 50th percentile is the middle of the norm group.
Does the CCAT measure IQ?
No. It's a timed aptitude test designed for hiring. It overlaps with general reasoning ability, but it isn't an IQ test and shouldn't be read as one.
How many correct answers equal the 90th percentile?
There's no fixed number — it shifts with each test form and norm group. That's exactly why employers compare percentiles rather than raw scores.
Can I retake the CCAT?
Depends on the employer. Some allow a retake, others treat the first attempt as final. If you get a retake, timed practice is the thing that moves the score.
Preparing for a specific company? See the Crossover CCAT guide, or start with the free CCAT practice test.