The Criteria UCAT Test
Last updated: September 2026
The UCAT is Criteria's non-verbal cognitive test: 40 questions in 20 minutes — about 30 seconds per question. It has no vocabulary questions, so it works across languages, and it reports sub-scores for numerical reasoning, logic and analysis, attention to detail, and spatial reasoning. If your invitation says 40 questions in 20 minutes, this is the test you have.
UCAT vs. CCAT: what changed
Criteria administers several assessments, and employers pick the one that fits the role. The two you are most likely to meet:
- CCAT: 50 questions, 15 minutes, about 18 seconds each. Includes verbal, numerical, and spatial questions.
- UCAT: 40 questions, 20 minutes, about 30 seconds each. Non-verbal — numerical, logic and analysis, attention to detail, and spatial.
Both are multiple choice with one running clock, no penalty for wrong answers, and no going back once you advance. The pace is the difference: the CCAT is a sprint, the UCAT is the same sprint with a slightly longer stride. Both reward the same skill — fast, accurate decisions under time pressure.
How to tell which test you were invited to
Your invitation states the details. Use this table:
- 50 questions / 15 minutes → CCAT (includes verbal questions)
- 40 questions / 20 minutes → UCAT (no verbal questions)
If the email mentions a personality profile, that section is usually untimed and has no right answers. Answer consistently and do not rush it.
What the four UCAT areas test
- Numerical reasoning: word problems, ratios, percentages, and number series. The arithmetic is simple; the clock is the hard part.
- Logic and analysis: short arguments and deduction — decide what follows from what.
- Attention to detail: spotting differences between strings of data, tables, or codes. Speed with precision.
- Spatial reasoning: figure series, matrices, rotations, and shape logic. Learn the small set of pattern rules these follow.
Practice that matches the format
Practicing the CCAT with 18-second questions trains the wrong pace for the UCAT. Our speed sets use the exact UCAT shape: 40 questions in 20 minutes, no verbal questions. They are timed, multiple choice, and include the same no-going-back rules as the real test.
- Take one set with strict rules on. Do not pause the clock.
- Review which of the four areas cost you the most time, not just the most points.
- Drill that area untimed, then retake a different set.
- On test day, decide within about 15 seconds. If the answer isn't visible, guess and move — a blank earns nothing.
Practice the 40-in-20 format free
Start with the free 5-question sample, or sign in to take a full 40-question speed set.
Start the free practice testFrequently asked questions
What is the Criteria UCAT?
A timed, multiple-choice cognitive ability test: 40 questions in 20 minutes, non-verbal, with sub-scores for numerical reasoning, logic and analysis, attention to detail, and spatial reasoning.
How is it different from the CCAT?
The CCAT is 50 questions in 15 minutes and includes verbal questions. The UCAT is 40 questions in 20 minutes and is non-verbal. Everything else — one clock, no penalty, no going back — is the same.
Can I skip questions?
No. Once you answer and advance, the question is gone. A wrong guess scores the same as an unanswered question, so never leave a blank. Decide within about 15 seconds and move.
What score do I need?
The cutoff is the employer's and is not published. Results are reported as percentiles against a professional norm group. See the score guide for how to read them.
Can I practice the exact questions?
No — the items are proprietary. What transfers is format and pacing, which is exactly what timed practice trains. Our free practice test and speed sets cover the same question families.
Taking the CCAT instead? Start with the free 50-question practice test, or read what your score means. Preparing for a specific employer? See the Shopify assessment guide or the Crossover CCAT guide.