CCAT Scoring Guide
Your CCAT result is two numbers: how many of the 50 questions you got right, and how that compares with everyone else. Here is what each one means.
Reviewed 3 October 2026 by the CCATTests Research and Editorial Team
!Quick CCAT Score Overview
Source: Criteria Corp's published norms (985 working adults, mean 24.2, standard deviation 8.58). Percentiles are our approximation from those two figures.
How the CCAT Is Scored
The CCAT has two numbers that matter. Everything else you may read about, such as scaled scores or star ratings, is not part of the CCAT.
Raw score (0 to 50)
- The number of questions you answered correctly.
- A wrong answer costs nothing, so always guess rather than leave a blank.
- Most people do not reach question 50 before the 15 minutes run out.
Percentile (1 to 99)
- How your raw score compares with other test takers.
- The 50th percentile is a raw score of about 24.
- Employers set their own cutoffs. Criteria does not publish a pass mark.
What Makes a Good CCAT Score?
A good score is one that clears the cutoff for the job you want, and cutoffs differ from employer to employer. This table shows where each raw score sits against the typical test taker.
| Raw score | Approximate percentile | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| 0 to 19 | below about the 30th | Below the typical test taker. Worth more timed practice before a real attempt. |
| 20 to 27 | about the 30th to 65th | Around average. The middle of the pack is 24. |
| 28 to 34 | about the 65th to 88th | Above average. A 31 is roughly the 80th percentile. |
| 35 to 41 | about the 88th to 98th | Well above average. A 35 puts you in roughly the top 10%. |
| 42 and up | about the 98th and higher | Exceptional. Very few people reach this in 15 minutes. |
For the percentile of every score from 0 to 50, try the CCAT score percentile calculator. For a fuller breakdown by job level, read what is a good CCAT score.
How to Improve Your CCAT Score
Practice Under Real Conditions
Take a full 50-question practice test with a 15-minute timer, then go through every question you missed.
Start Your Free TestThe three question areas
The CCAT mixes verbal questions, math and logic questions, and spatial reasoning questions in one sequence. Criteria does not publish an exact split, so practice all three rather than betting on one.
Time management
15 minutes for 50 questions works out to 18 seconds each.
- If a question is still unclear after about 30 seconds, guess and move on.
- In the last minute, put an answer on every question you have left. Guesses are free.
- Calculators are not allowed, so practice quick mental arithmetic.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average CCAT score?
About 24 out of 50. In Criteria's norm sample of 985 working adults the mean was 24.2 and the median was 24, so a 24 sits right around the 50th percentile.
Is there a penalty for wrong answers on the CCAT?
No. Your score is simply the number of questions you answer correctly, so a guess can only help. Never leave a question blank when time is about to run out.
Can anyone get a perfect 50?
It is possible but very rare. Criteria says fewer than 1% of candidates answer all 50 questions in the 15 minutes.
Can I retake the CCAT?
That is up to the employer who sent you the test, not Criteria. Some allow a retake after a waiting period and some do not, so ask your recruiter before you plan around one.
When do you get your CCAT results?
Once you finish, Criteria emails your CCAT results to the employer: a raw score out of 50 and a percentile. Criteria's support team cannot see your results, so ask your recruiter if you want to know your score.
Ready to Practice?
Take a timed practice test and compare your raw score with the percentile table on this page.
Take a Practice TestReady to Achieve Your Target Score?
Take a timed 50-question practice test and see where your raw score lands on the table above.
Start Your Free Practice Today