Cracking The Criteria Cognitive Aptitude Test (CCAT)

Published on: 13 September 2018 Last Updated on: 16 December 2021

The process of getting the desired job and hiring skilled people have now become races, where both teams have to surpass a series of hurdles to get the coveted prize. Criteria Cognitive Aptitude Test (CCAT) focuses on one’s ability to learn new skills and solve problems.

While it might not be as surprising for you, but the diminishing number of employed people and increasing skill sets has created a talent deficit. As per reports from Manpower Group, over 45% of global employees have talent issues, with most of them lacking interpersonal skills.

But does a shortage of skills means someone not much talent for a respective niche? Or, is that recruiters who aren’t hiring from the right places to have good talent on-board?

Well, in a professional term, talent shortages mean an inability to hire and find the right talent which is required to run any business.

The SOLUTION- hiring candidates not only on the basis of respective degrees but also on the basis of cognitive tests!

Criteria Cognitive aptitude test is a pre-employment test that focuses on measuring one’s ability to solve problems, learn new skills, digest and apply information, and critical thinking capabilities. Regardless of the candidate’s experience, these tests are used to hire potential candidates for the company’s success.

Further, these tests provide a vehicle to access the potential of employees, enabling a rapid workforce scale thereby reducing hiring cost and increasing the quality of each hire.

Why Recruiters Use Cognitive Ability Tests?

Cognitive aptitude measures a candidate’s ability to solve problems and the ability to use new information, recruiters consider it as one of the best predictors of a candidate’s job performance. Also, it’s more predictive than verbal interviews, job experience, and one’s educational background. You can either prepare it from hard-notes or can prepare online for the criteria cognitive aptitude test (CCAT).

Fast Facts Related To The Criteria Cognitive Aptitude Test (CCAT):

The Criteria Cognitive Aptitude Test (CCAT) comprises of 50 questions
Candidates will be given only 15 minutes to answer each question
The questions will be divided into three different sections, viz. verbal, math and logic, and spatial reasoning
Use of calculators is restricted
Less than 1% of candidates can answer all 50 questions
Your score will be sent to employers with the total number of questions one has completed and the percentile score.

CCAT Practice Test:

You should solve sample questions for the CCAT practice test. As calculators are not allowed in the CCAT test, so make sure that you are not using calculator while practicing for the ccat test.

For tough math problems, use a pencil and paper. While solving the maths questions, take a watch and note the exact time you are taking while solving it. You have to be aware of the length of time you are taking while solving questions for the CCAT practice test.

How to Pass a Cognitive Test:

Do Not Jump Instructions:

One of the most common mistakes candidates do is rushing over the instructions. Instead, take time to read and understand each instruction, and based on that, plan your strategy. Since there’s no negative marking on each wrong answer, don’t skip any question- Guess and move!

Do What is Important:

Many people favor either 123s or ABCs, as not everyone is master in both. So, find your strengths and work accordingly. Try first to solve questions of the section that you find comfortable with. For instance, if your vocabulary is rusty and paragraph questions throw you for a loop, skip it or guess it.

Time Is Everything!

Candidates will be given only 15 minutes to solve 50 questions, which accounts for less than 18 seconds on each question. That’s Too FAST!

Folk! You don’t have to checklist every single question; this will not impress hiring managers. So, focus on the correct score. If you think you have spent more than 45 seconds, guess the answer and move to the next.

Focus for the CCAT Test:

Aim at attempting all questions, but if you are unable to do so, don’t stress. The test is designed in a way so that only 1 or 2 % of the candidates can answer all questions in that specific time slot.

Let The Clock Stop!

If you have completed your test, don’t stop working. Let the time finish and then relax. Utilize your time as much as possible; go to your guessed questions (the one that you are unsure of) and double-check your answers. Take that extra time to solve them correctly.

Although Criteria Cognitive Aptitude Test (CCAT) would be one of the methods that recruiters will use, it’s the most important one. And to crack it, the best thing you can do is simply PREPARE!

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Land The Job! 51 Good Interview Questions to Ask Your Employer

The interviews are primarily unnerving for the job seekers. However, the situation worsens when the interviewer turns the tables and asks, “Do you have anything to ask me?” The hiring managers often feel amazed that many candidates don’t even use such opportunities. I know that receiving a job offer can be very exciting, especially when you are eagerly waiting for the role. Moreover, many candidates put more focus on impressing the interviewer. This way, they fail to get the necessary information that can help them to ensure that the job role is right for them. In this article, we will discuss the importance of asking questions to an interviewer. We will also discover 51 good interview questions to ask an interviewer to make an informed decision. 51 Good Interview Questions To Ask An Interviewer When you reach the end point of the interview, the interviewers seem to be done with their questions and ask you, “Do you have any questions to ask?” Don’t get startled because the interviewer is trying to open the floor for you. Thus, it is very necessary to plan good interview questions to ask. Read on… Questions About The Specific Job Role When you get the opportunity to ask your interviewer questions, always ensure that you have enough information about the day-to-day tasks for now and in the future. These can help you to make informed decisions before you get the shift shock or the sting of a toxic workplace. 1. What does a day or a week look like when you are in this role? 2. Is there any project that needs to be addressed immediately? 3. What skills and experiences are you seeking in an ideal candidate? 4. How does this job role contribute to the company’s success? 5. What are the big challenges one might face in this role? 6. Can you tell me about the projects I’d be working on? 7. What kind of budget will I be working with? 8. Are the main responsibilities for this role going to change in the next five years? 9. What attributes one might have to have to succeed in this role? 10. Is this any kind of new role, or will I take over the place of an employee who is leaving? Questions About The Team You Are Going To Work With Asking questions about the team you will work with helps you determine the team dynamics. Read how you can fit yourself into that particular team. Thus, you can ask the following questions to understand the team you will work with. Here is the list of good interview questions to ask your interviewer, 1. Who is going to be my reporting manager? 2. How many people are there in a particular team? 3. What is the leadership style of my direct reporting manager? 4. How does the team practice inclusivity and diversity? 5. Is there anyone on the team from whom I can seek guidance? 6. Are there any projects the team is currently working on? 7. Can I meet the team members before I start? The Questions You May Ask About The Company Before you leave the interview space, why don’t we try to learn a bit about the place where you might work? Working in a company doesn’t mean you only have to complete your day-to-day tasks. You are most likely to enjoy your work once you start to find like-minded people around you who are also walking in the same direction. Here are some good interviewer questions to ask your employer… 1. I have read a lot about the company’s foundation. Can you please tell me more about the company’s development? 2. What direction do you think the company is heading in the next five years? 3. Can you tell me about plans and products for the ultimate growth? 4. What are the current goals the company is currently focusing on? 5. What is the most exciting thing about the company’s future? 6. How does the company maintain its value? 7. What does the company value the most? 8. Since the starting day, what changes has the company made to meet the market demand in this ever-changing market? 9. How do the employees shape the company's value? 10. Does the company suffer from a high turnover rate? Questions To Ask About Training As Well As Professional Development The process of professional development is one of the great ways to increase the overall knowledge in your field or the specific role you are working in. Thus, you can ask the following questions to explore how the company manages the employees and their personal development. 1. What kind of training can I expect during onboarding? 2. Does the company provide scope for in-house professional development? 3. Will the company support attendance at industry-related conferences? 4. Does the company provide support to help employees obtain further degrees? 5. Are there any mentors on staff? 6. Does the company offer any kind of incentives for the completion of new skills? 7. Does the company provide sponsorship to help employees continue their education? 8. What training programs are available for the employees? 9. What is the common route of career growth the company offers? 10. Can you please describe the ideal candidate for the role along with their traits, skills, and interests? 11. How frequently does the company conduct a performance review? Best Smart Questions For The Interviewer Apart from asking questions about the company, its employee management, and company culture, you can also ask questions about the interview, such as, 1. What are the next steps of the recruitment process? 2. Is there any kind of parameter that is going to be used for the final decision? 3. Can you provide me feedback if I get rejected? The Necessity To Ask Important Questions To Your Employer When you ask your employer questions, it shows that you want to know more about the company and its operations. Asking an interviewer questions can also help you learn more about the designation or whether you will fit that specific role. On the other hand, if you have questions to ask an interviewer, it can show that you have thought enough about the position, which can help you to decide on your future career. The Questions That You Must Avoid To Ask Your Interviewer Here are a few questions that you should not ask during or at the end of your interview: What is the starting salary range? Does the company provide any kind of health insurance? What are your policies related to paid leave? During the interview, you must avoid asking about the salary or the benefits of the process. It is too early to negotiate, and you still don’t know about the entire territory. So, consider asking about the salary and benefit-related questions once they offer you the position. Read Also: Building Your Conceptual Skills A Guide for Career Growth 7 Proven Tips To Leave A Lasting Impression On Your Interviewer Best LinkedIn Recommendation Example – How to Write a Great LinkedIn Recommendation

How to Write an Effective Resume that Get Noticed?

It can be a challenge to get your resume noticed from the stack of resumes that reach the employers for one job posting. In this highly competitive market, the need to stay at an edge from other candidates is a must. Today, most of the organizations use an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) to shortlist resumes before they reach the human eyes. Remember, that no recruiter is working on just one opening and would have thousands of resumes to go through each day. Hence, it is necessary that you draft your resume in a way that it gets noticed within seconds of the employer glance. If you simply keep a track of little things on your resume, you can get a recruiter friendly resume. Here is how you can get draft a resume like this: 1. Keep it Simple: As easy it is for the reader to gather information from your resume, greater the chances of your resume getting shortlisted. Do not use any of your designing techniques on your resume. You can save them for your portfolio in case you belong to the design background. Simple format, simple language and easy on eyes are the key points you need to remember when drafting your resume. 2. Use of Bullets: Your resume should be presentable. For your resume, anything that is less is more. In order to describe your role to the employer, use crisp action-oriented sentences listed in bullets. 3. Ensure you Meet the Qualifications: When you are applying for a job, make sure you at least have the minimum qualification required for the role. Otherwise, applying to a role which does not match your qualifications is a waste of time, yours and the recruiters. Read also: How Studying Abroad Can Benefit Your Career 4. Use a Customized Resume: One of the biggest mistake that job seekers make is sending a generalized resume for every job that they apply. Do not make this mistake and customize your resume for every job that you apply. Personalizing leaves the impression that you are genuinely interested in the job thus increasing your chances of getting shortlisted. 5. Keep Your Focus on Accomplishments: The reader wants to know how good you were at your job and not just your roles and responsibilities. Keep your focus on your accomplishments in your resume especially the ones that relate directly to the job you are applying to. Read also: WordPress Developer: Job Profile And Key Responsibilities 6. Have a Skills Section: Having a separate skills section is a good way of gathering recruiters’ attention and conveying that you fit for the role. 7. Keywords: Keywords are important. Both for the ATS and the human eyes. Pick up relevant keywords from the job description and spread it across your resume in such a way that it does not look overloaded or stuffed in. Be smart and check out samples before you apply using this resume. 8. Include Numbers and Facts: Getting business for an organization is the key factor that can easily get you shortlisted. If you have a role that involves numbers, include the numbers that show your positivity. Quantifiable achievements on resumes are a sure short way of creating an effective resume. 9. Remove Non-Essential Information: Your resume is a professional document and not personal. Hence, you need to stick to information that is suitable for the job you are applying to. If you have a work history of more than 10-15 years, you should pick the most relevant or most recent (whichever is applicable) to apply to this job. 10. Create a Career Summary: A recruiter spends hardly 6-7 seconds on your resume. If you can give him the required information in that amount of time, you definitely have an effective resume. To do so, have a career summary that includes the answer to a simple question “why are you a perfect fit for this job” 11. Make Sure there are No Errors: Any error, small or big on your resume can play a differentiating role for your job application. Hence, before you hit the apply button, ensure there are no spelling, grammar or typo errors in your resume. Typos or any type of silly errors in your resume are a big turn-off for the employers. 12. Include a Cover Letter: Often there is information that you want to share with the recruiter but the one-page resume does not give you enough bandwidth for the same. Include a cover letter that introduces you to the employer and shares information that you were unable to include in the resume. Make sure that your resume keeps in with these basic points. Build your network and connect with people in the industry for better job search. Good luck in your career search.

Is Oil & Gas Production A Good Career Path In 2021?

Is Oil & Gas Production A Good Career Path in 2021? Choosing oil and gas production jobs can be your best choice because you get handsome salaries at the end of every month. At the same time, there is a wide range of jobs available in the oil and gas sector. In the United Kingdom alone, there are more than three lakhs of jobs available. So now, you can analyze the strength of the oil and gas production industry. Moreover, the oil and gas production industry is an innovative place to work in. The industry offers several career opportunities during its entire value succession, be it downstream, midstream, or upstream. Oil & Gas Production Industry - What You Need To Know? Every industry has its pros and cons, and the same goes for the oil and gas production industry. However, it is obvious that workplace safety matters a lot for any individual. Many people think that working in the oil industry may not be safe for everyone. But there is one good piece of news that this sector is paying good attention to workplace safety. The conditions of working in this sector are also great, and you may get all the facilities that you had always wished for. Besides, the future of the oil and gas industry is bright as it supports more than 9.8 million jobs in the US alone. The pay scale is also great in this sector, and you don’t have to worry about paying your monthly bills. Best Career Paths In The Oil & Gas Production Industry The oil and gas production industry is a promising platform where you can grow your future with compensation packages. Now, let’s know the best career paths in the oil and gas production industry. i). Oil & Gas Attorney The attorney in this industry is basically involved in the contract formation and reviews that go in the transaction of 2 firms. Here, the main role is to manage the ownership of minerals, royalty, and surface rights relating to a property. ii). Financial Analyst Another career path in the oil and gas industry is Financial Analyst. One should be responsible for tracking a company’s performance against a plan, analyzing the market conditions and business performance. They also help to shape the strategic planning of the company. iii). Logistics Analyst Another best career path in the oil and gas production industry is Logistics Analyst. Here, the individual is responsible for the complete life cycle of particular products within the company. iv). Project Engineer A Project Engineer handles a project from an engineering point of view. Here, you will learn some new skills, explore fresh technologies, and travel across the globe. At the same time, you will get great exposure with high salary rewards. v). Human Resource Human Resource is also one of the great career paths in the oil and gas production industry. Here, you need to make sure that the company is managing its employees directly and complying with employment laws. vi). Derrickman A derrickman is a branch of the oil drilling rig crew. You need to shoulder the burden of carrying out safe and effective methods of the derrick. This is also a great path that you can consider for yourself. vii). Geologist Geologists are liable for getting new reserves of gas and oil and getting much oil and gas out of existing areas. This is one of the great career paths that you can choose in the oil and gas production industry. Is Oil & Gas Production A Good Career Path? The answer to this question is Yes. You can choose your career in this particular field or consider other career paths such as energy utilities, basic industries, public utilities, consumer services, hotels/resorts, electric utilities, packaged foods, etc. Millennials can go for business services if they are not interested in doing a job. There is not a particular position in this sector that will stick with, in fact, lots of opportunities you will get in the long run, and you will enjoy the same for sure. On the other hand, you would get selected based on your skills and qualifications in the gas production field. Handsome salaries are also paid at the end of the month with high incentives. The Final Thoughts Is Oil & Gas Production A Good Career Path? Now, you know why the gas and oil production industry is popular, and many wish to work in the same. The above listed are the top information regarding this sector, and if you come across any doubts, you can mention them in the comment section below. Read Also: Is Clothing/Shoe/Accessory Stores A Good Career Path Is Real Estate Investment Trusts A Good Career Path Is Precious Metals A Good Career Path How Many Jobs Are Available In Real Estate Investment Trusts?

Cracking The Criteria Cognitive Aptitude Test (CCAT)

Why Recruiters Use Cognitive Ability Tests?

Fast Facts Related To The Criteria Cognitive Aptitude Test (CCAT):

CCAT Practice Test: