Companies That Use the CCAT Test (2026 Hiring Guide)

If you’ve been invited to complete the CCAT, you’re likely already deep in a competitive hiring process.

The Criteria Cognitive Aptitude Test (CCAT) is used across a wide range of industries — including insurance, manufacturing, consulting, SaaS, private equity, logistics, and enterprise services. It’s not a casual screening tool. It’s a timed cognitive benchmark designed to rank candidates by percentile under pressure.

With just 15 minutes to answer 50 questions, small performance differences can determine whether you move forward — or quietly exit the process.

This guide is continuously updated for 2026 hiring trends, reflecting how employers are currently using the CCAT in real recruiting pipelines.

If you have a test invitation scheduled, preparation should start immediately.

Before investing in anything, you can take a free timed CCAT practice test to see where you stand. Start the free CCAT diagnostic and benchmark your current level under real timing pressure.

What Is the CCAT and Why do Companies use it?

The CCAT is a pre-employment cognitive ability assessment developed by Criteria Corp. It measures how quickly and accurately you process information across:

• Numerical reasoning

• Verbal reasoning

• Logical and abstract reasoning

Employers use it because cognitive speed and problem-solving ability correlate strongly with on-the-job performance — especially in roles involving data interpretation, multitasking, structured decision-making, or client interaction.

Why Hiring Teams Rely on the CCAT

1. Scalable Filtering
When applicant volume is high, recruiters need an objective way to narrow the pool. The CCAT provides standardized comparison.

2. Predictive Insight
Cognitive aptitude consistently ranks among the strongest predictors of performance across industries — particularly in analytical, operational, and client-facing roles.

3. Percentile-Based Comparison
Candidates aren’t judged in isolation. They’re ranked relative to peers competing for the same position.

The CCAT commonly appears in hiring for:

• Management trainee programs

• Sales development tracks

• Corporate analyst roles

• Consulting support positions

• Technical and SaaS roles

For details on structure, visit our CCAT exam format guide.
To understand how raw scores convert to percentiles, see the CCAT scoring guide.

Industries Where the CCAT Is Commonly Used

The CCAT appears across diverse sectors, including:

• Insurance and financial services

• Manufacturing and operations leadership

• Advisory and consulting firms

• Private equity and investment groups

• SaaS and technology companies

• Logistics and field management organizations

Below is a breakdown of major companies that use the CCAT test in 2026 — and how it fits into their hiring process.

Companies That Use the CCAT Test in 2026

Does Crossover Use the CCAT?

Yes. Crossover is one of the most widely recognized CCAT hiring companies.

Because Crossover recruits globally for remote roles — including engineering, operations, and leadership positions — it relies heavily on standardized cognitive benchmarking. The CCAT allows them to compare candidates from different educational systems and geographic regions using a single measurable framework.

Competition is intense. Applicant pools are international, and many candidates have strong technical backgrounds. Performance expectations tend to sit above general market averages.

Crossover frequently uses cognitive testing early in the hiring funnel before deeper interviews or case-based evaluations.

For a detailed breakdown of how Crossover structures its hiring process and what candidates report about performance expectations, see the dedicated guide:

 Crossover CCAT Hiring Guide

Preparing for Crossover? The full CCAT course has 6 timed mocks at this difficulty level →

Does Vista Equity Partners Use the CCAT?

Yes. Vista Equity Partners incorporates cognitive assessment, including the CCAT, particularly in analytical and investment-focused hiring tracks.

As a private equity firm specializing in enterprise software, Vista evaluates candidates on structured thinking, analytical speed, and disciplined decision-making. The CCAT is often positioned early in the evaluation process to benchmark problem-solving ability before interviews.

Applicant pools frequently include finance, consulting, and top-tier academic backgrounds. As a result, percentile competition can be tight, with upper-range performance common among finalists.

Vista’s hiring environment places a premium on intellectual horsepower and pattern recognition.

For deeper insights into Vista’s recruitment context and expectations, see:

Vista Equity Partners CCAT Hiring Guide

Preparing for Vista Equity Partnersr? The full CCAT course has 6 timed mocks at this difficulty level →

Does Cintas use the CCAT?

Cintas uses the CCAT primarily for its management trainee programs, operations leadership tracks, and certain sales development roles.

Unlike firms that emphasize purely analytical output, Cintas blends operational execution with client-facing responsibility. That balance shapes how the CCAT functions in their hiring process.

Where It Appears

Candidates typically complete the CCAT after an initial screening and before formal interview rounds. In competitive regions, it may serve as a decisive filter before in-person evaluation days.

Roles Commonly Requiring It

• Management Trainee

• Service Sales Representative

• Operations Supervisor

• Corporate development pathways

Cintas values adaptability. Management trainees rotate through departments, manage logistics, and engage with customers. The CCAT helps identify candidates who can process operational information quickly without becoming stuck on details.

Competitive Performance Patterns

Cintas does not publish score cutoffs. However, candidates often report that advancing applicants perform clearly above the median of their applicant pool. Upper percentile performance is common among finalists in highly competitive markets.

Because the company invests heavily in training, learning speed matters more than prior experience.

Preparation Insight

Time management is often the hidden differentiator. Candidates who attempt perfection instead of momentum frequently leave questions unanswered.

Preparation should emphasize:

• Fast mental math

• Logical sequencing

• Decisive skipping

To benchmark your percentile under real timing conditions, practice with structured 15-minute simulations designed to replicate hiring pressure.

Measure your competitive readiness through the full CCAT practice course before your official assessment window opens.

Preparing for Cintas? The full CCAT course has 6 timed mocks at this difficulty level →

Does Progressive use the CCAT?

Progressive integrates cognitive assessments, including the CCAT, across several corporate and analytical tracks.

As a major insurance provider, Progressive operates in a data-driven environment. Employees routinely evaluate risk, interpret documentation, and make structured decisions with financial implications.

Roles Where the CCAT May Appear

• Claims Adjuster Trainee

• Business Analyst

• Underwriting Associate

• Corporate leadership development programs

The CCAT often appears early in the hiring process and may be paired with personality or situational judgment assessments.

Unique Hiring Context

Progressive emphasizes disciplined reasoning. In underwriting and claims roles, decisions must be both efficient and accurate.

This creates a dual expectation:

• Process information quickly

• Avoid avoidable errors

Candidates frequently report that competitive applicants perform above the general applicant median, particularly in analytical tracks.

Psychological Challenge

Switching between math, verbal reasoning, and logic can disrupt pacing. Many candidates lose valuable time during transitions rather than on individual questions.

Preparation for Progressive should focus on:

• Sustained pacing across 15 minutes

• Reducing calculation hesitation

• Structured reading under time pressure

If Progressive is part of your hiring process, simulate actual screening conditions before test day.

Practice with realistic 15-minute CCAT simulations and evaluate whether your percentile places you in a competitive range.

Preparing for Progressive? The full CCAT course has 6 timed mocks at this difficulty level →

Does Reynolds & Reynolds Use the CCAT?

Reynolds & Reynolds operates in automotive technology and dealership software, combining technical systems with client-facing service models. The CCAT is used across corporate, sales, and technical pathways.

Positions That Commonly Include the CCAT

• Entry-level Software Developer

• Sales Trainee

• Field Support Representative

• Corporate Analyst

The assessment usually appears in early screening stages, particularly for roles requiring structured thinking and rapid learning.

Distinct Hiring Environment

Reynolds & Reynolds invests significantly in internal training. As a result, cognitive adaptability often outweighs specific prior experience.

The CCAT helps assess whether candidates can:

• Grasp new systems efficiently

• Interpret structured operational data

• Transition smoothly between reasoning styles

Applicants from technical and business backgrounds often compete within overlapping talent pools, increasing percentile pressure.

Competitive Observations

Candidates who move forward frequently demonstrate above-median performance relative to peers. Upper percentile results are especially common in technical tracks.

Preparation should not focus exclusively on mathematics. Logical pattern recognition and rapid comprehension often drive stronger score improvements.

To measure your position accurately, simulate real hiring conditions with timed CCAT exams and track your percentile progress across attempts.

Structured preparation through the CCAT practice course can help close performance gaps before your official screening.

Preparing for Reynolds & Reynolds? The full CCAT course has 6 timed mocks at this difficulty level →

Does Gartner use the CCAT?

Gartner, a global research and advisory firm, incorporates cognitive assessments in multiple hiring streams, including sales, research, and consulting support roles.

Gartner’s culture centers on structured analysis and insight delivery. Intellectual discipline is a core expectation.

Hiring Tracks Where CCAT May Be Used

• Business Development Associate

• Research Analyst

• Client Success roles

• Consulting support functions

The CCAT often appears during early-stage screening, prior to structured interviews or case-style discussions.

Unique Competitive Landscape

Gartner attracts academically strong candidates and individuals with consulting exposure. This compresses score distribution toward the higher range.

In such applicant pools, a difference of three to five correct answers can meaningfully impact percentile ranking.

Competitive applicants frequently perform above the cohort median, with upper percentile performance common among those advancing to interviews.

Preparation Strategy

Success at Gartner requires pacing consistency.

Candidates should focus on:

• Maintaining steady rhythm

• Avoiding time traps

• Switching cleanly between reasoning types

To simulate actual hiring pressure, train with full-length timed CCAT exams and evaluate whether your percentile is strong enough for a high-achievement applicant pool.

Preparation clarifies whether you are currently competitive — or how much improvement is required.

Preparing for Gartner? The full CCAT course has 6 timed mocks at this difficulty level →

Coding Bootcamps That Use the CCAT

The CCAT isn’t used exclusively by employers. A number of coding bootcamps use it as an admissions filter — screening applicants for the cognitive ability to complete intensive technical programmes rather than for a specific job role.

The preparation approach is identical: timed practice under real conditions, with particular focus on speed across all three question types.

Does Tech Elevator Use the CCAT?

Yes. Tech Elevator requires the CCAT as an early step in its admissions process across all locations.

The test is used to assess whether applicants have the foundational problem-solving ability to succeed in an intensive coding curriculum. Candidates who pass move to an application and programme selection call.

Score expectation: Tech Elevator uses a range recommended by Criteria Corp and does not publish a specific cutoff. Candidate reports suggest a passing score consistent with the general benchmark for bootcamp admissions — typically around the 50th percentile.

Retake policy: Candidates who do not meet the range must wait before retaking. Preparation before your first attempt is strongly recommended.

Preparing for Tech Elevator? The full CCAT course has 6 timed mocks at the real exam difficulty →

Does Hack Reactor Use the CCAT?

Yes. Hack Reactor (part of Galvanize) requires the CCAT for both its Beginner and Intermediate Coding Bootcamp programmes.

For the Beginner programme, the CCAT is the first admissions step — pass it and you complete the application and select a start date. The Intermediate programme adds a JavaScript coding challenge and a Technical Admissions Assessment after the CCAT.

Score expectation: Hack Reactor uses Criteria’s recommended range and reports an approximately 80% pass rate among applicants — suggesting the bar is achievable with preparation. The exact range is not published.

Retake policy: Candidates who do not meet the range must wait three months before retaking. This makes first-attempt preparation especially important.

Preparing for Hack Reactor? The full CCAT course has 6 timed mocks at the real exam difficulty →

Does BloomTech (Lambda School) Use the CCAT?

Yes. BloomTech — formerly Lambda School — requires the CCAT for its full stack web development, backend development, and data science programmes.

Unlike most organisations, BloomTech publicly confirms its minimum score requirement.

Score requirement: 23 out of 50. This is the minimum raw score required to proceed to the next stage of the application. It places applicants just below the 50th percentile — making it one of the more accessible CCAT thresholds in the bootcamp space.

BloomTech does not share individual scores with applicants. You will receive a pass or fail notification only.

Retake policy: Candidates who do not pass can retake the exam. BloomTech’s retake policy is more flexible than most bootcamps.

Preparing for BloomTech? The full CCAT course has 6 timed mocks at the real exam difficulty →

How to Prepare If Your Company Uses the CCAT

The CCAT appears simple:

• 50 questions

• 15 minutes

• Multiple-choice

But performance is percentile-based.

A 3–5 question swing can significantly shift ranking.

Step 1: Establish Your Baseline

Before purchasing advanced materials, take a free timed CCAT practice test to determine your starting percentile.

Treat it as a real exam — no pauses, no external help.

Step 2: Identify Your Gap

After completing the free CCAT diagnostic, analyze:

• Questions left unanswered or incorrect

• Sections that slowed you down

This prevents unfocused preparation.

Step 3: Close the Gap with Full Simulations

Improvement requires repetition under realistic time pressure.

Full-length 15-minute simulations help you:

• Build switching speed

• Refine pacing strategy

• Increase answer volume without sacrificing accuracy

Structured simulations mirror real hiring intensity far better than isolated practice questions.

Begin with the free CCAT test to establish your baseline.
Then transition into comprehensive timed practice through the full CCAT practice course when you’re ready to push your percentile higher.

Consistent rehearsal under pressure is the most reliable way to improve competitive standing before your official assessment.

FAQ – Company-Specific CCAT Questions

Is the CCAT the Same for Every Company?

The structure is generally consistent across employers. However, companies may administer it at different stages and weigh results differently within their hiring decisions. Competitive context — not format — often shapes perceived difficulty.

Do Companies Set Different Passing Scores?

Yes. There is no universal passing score. Each organization sets internal benchmarks based on role complexity and applicant pool strength. Competitive applicants frequently perform above the median relative to peers competing for the same role.

Can You Reuse a CCAT Score for Another Employer?

In most cases, no. Companies typically administer the test independently within their hiring systems. Scores are not automatically transferable between employers.

Is the CCAT Harder for Consulting or Tech Firms?

The question types remain similar, but applicant competitiveness differs. Consulting and technology firms often attract high-achieving candidates, raising the effective percentile threshold required to advance.

Do Startups Use the CCAT?

Some startups use the CCAT, particularly those scaling quickly and hiring across multiple departments. It offers a standardized way to evaluate cognitive ability without building internal testing frameworks.

Check what score each of these companies expects: CCAT Score Guide →

Do Coding Bootcamps Use the CCAT?

Yes. Several coding bootcamps use the CCAT as an admissions filter rather than a hiring tool. BloomTech (formerly Lambda School) requires a minimum raw score of 23 out of 50. Tech Elevator and Hack Reactor use Criteria’s recommended range without publishing a specific number. In all cases, the preparation approach is the same — timed practice under real exam conditions.

Next Steps: Free Diagnostic or Full Simulation?

If your target company uses the CCAT, preparation should be deliberate.

You have two clear options:

Option 1: Take the Free CCAT Practice Test

Establish your baseline under real 15-minute timing.
Identify your percentile gap before investing further.

Start with the free CCAT diagnostic and see where you stand.

Option 2: Start Full-Length CCAT Simulations

If you’re already near competitive range — or your test date is approaching — move directly into structured full-length simulations.

Practice under realistic timing, track improvement across attempts, and refine your pacing strategy through the complete CCAT practice course.

Small score improvements can meaningfully change percentile ranking.

The earlier you benchmark your performance, the more control you have over the outcome.