CCAT Overview

What is the Canadian Cognitive Abilities Test (CCAT®)?

The Canadian Cognitive Abilities Test (CCAT) is a group-administered aptitude test for grades K-12 used to estimate students’ reasoning and problem solving skills. Unlike assessment tests which measure what a student has already learned, aptitude tests are designed to measure intellectual ability, focusing on analytic and problem solving skills rather than specific knowledge.

The Canadian Cognitive Abilities Test (CCAT) is the Canadian version of the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) in the U.S. These two tests are identical in both format and grade level and on our web site are referred to as the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT).


Watch our video to learn more about Mercer Publishing’s Gifted and Talented Test preparation system.


Test Format

The CCAT exam is made up of three sections called batteries (verbal, nonverbal, and quantitative). The number of questions and question types on each test are determined by both the grade level and the specific form of the test your child will be taking. With administration time, the CCAT exam takes between 2-3 hours to complete.

For a more in-depth description of the CCAT exam, utilize our Frequently Asked Questions page to answer any questions you may still have.

How to Prepare

The best way to prepare for the CCAT exam is by exposing your child to the exam format and the types of questions they will see on the day of the test. With Mercer Publishing’s full-length Practice tests, your child will experience the same format and number of questions as the actual exam. Each practice test booklet contains 1 full-length exam and comes with the answers and explanations. Downloadable versions of our tests are also available for Mac and PC users.

To see what typical questions look like, view our free CogAT Sample Questions here.

CogAT® is a registered trademark of Houghton Mifflin Company. The Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT®) is owned by Houghton Mifflin Company and published by Riverside Publishing, a Houghton Mifflin Company. Neither Houghton Mifflin Company nor Riverside Publishing was involved in the production of, nor endorses, these practice tests.

To begin preparing your child for success, click on the relevant grade level to view our selection of grade specific practice tests and materials.