What is the CCAT?
The Criteria Cognitive Aptitude Test (CCAT) is a general pre-employment aptitude test published by Criteria Corp. It measures problem-solving, critical thinking and the ability to learn and apply new information quickly. Crossover.com — which hires for senior remote roles in 131 countries — uses the CCAT as the first screening gate of its selection process.
Format: 50 questions in 15 minutes
You get 50 questions and exactly 15 minutes — about 18 seconds per question. Rules that catch people out: no calculator is allowed, you cannot return to a previous question, and switching browser tabs can trigger automatic disqualification. There is no penalty for wrong answers.
The three sections
- Verbal Reasoning: Analogies, antonyms, sentence completion and word logic. We drill pattern recognition so you decide in 10–15 seconds, not 40.
- Logic & Math: Number series, word problems and quantitative logic — the section that eats time. We rebuild your mental-math speed and elimination instinct.
- Spatial Reasoning: Shape rotation, matrices and visual patterns. The highest points-per-second section once you learn to see the rule instantly.
Scoring and the cutoff
Your score is the number of correct answers. The average is roughly 24/50. Many technical roles — including software engineering at Crossover — target around 35/50, the top ~15% of test-takers. Under 1% of candidates finish all 50 questions, so pacing matters more than perfection.
How to prepare
Take full-length, timed practice tests, then drill your weakest section. Build mental-math speed, train rapid analogy recognition, and learn to spot spatial rules instantly. Because difficulty rises through the test, move fast early to bank time for the hard questions — and never leave a question blank, since wrong answers cost nothing. This is precisely what the CrossoverPrep course is built to deliver.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Crossover CCAT?
The CCAT (Criteria Cognitive Aptitude Test) is a 50-question, 15-minute aptitude test published by Criteria Corp. Crossover uses it as the first screening step in its hiring process. It measures verbal reasoning, logic & math, and spatial reasoning. There is no negative marking, but you cannot use a calculator or revisit previous questions.
What score do I need to pass?
There is no universal passing score — each role sets its own cutoff. For many technical roles, including software engineering at Crossover, the bar is around 35 out of 50, which places you in the top ~15% of all test-takers. The average score is about 24.
Is CrossoverPrep affiliated with Crossover or Criteria Corp?
No. CrossoverPrep is an independent preparation course. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to Crossover.com or Criteria Corp. CCAT is a trademark of Criteria Corp; we reference it only to describe what our course prepares you for.
How much does the course cost?
One course, one price: ₹1,500 if you're purchasing from India, or $15 from anywhere else in the world. Lifetime access, including future updates and added mocks.
Can I really prepare in a short time?
Yes. The CCAT rewards familiarity and pacing more than raw knowledge. Our curriculum is built so you can move from your current score toward the cutoff with focused practice — most candidates' biggest gains come from timed mocks and per-section speed work.
How do I access the course after buying?
Instantly. After checkout you get an account with the full video curriculum, timed mocks, drills and downloadable cheat-sheets, streamable on any device.
Sources: Criteria Corp — official CCAT candidate prep · Crossover — official CCAT guide · Crossover — selection process