CCAT Sample Questions
Use these free CCAT sample questions to understand the types of reasoning skills students may need for the Canadian Cognitive Abilities Test. The examples below cover verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, and non-verbal reasoning.
The CCAT is often used by schools as part of gifted screening, enriched-program placement, or learning-profile analysis. These sample questions are designed to help parents and students become familiar with common CCAT-style question types.
Important:
These are CCAT-style practice questions. They are not official Canadian Cognitive Abilities Test questions, and they are not a full simulation of the real test. Use them for preparation and familiarisation only.
Different CCAT test?
If you are looking for the employment aptitude test, visit our guide to the Criteria Cognitive Aptitude Test. This page covers the school-based Canadian Cognitive Abilities Test.
Need the full CCAT guide?
For test format, grade levels, scoring, gifted-program use, and preparation strategy, read our complete CCAT Test guide.
Looking for full CCAT practice?
Use the free samples below to understand the format. For complete grade-level practice packs, visit TestPrep-Online CCAT gifted practice tests.
Table of Contents
CCAT Sample Questions Overview
The CCAT usually measures reasoning in three broad areas: Verbal, Quantitative, and Non-Verbal. Each area uses different question formats.
| CCAT Area | What It Measures | Sample Question Types | Full Practice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Verbal | Word relationships, vocabulary, categories, language reasoning | Verbal classification, sentence completion, verbal analogies | Choose CCAT pack |
| Quantitative | Number patterns, mathematical relationships, quantitative logic | Number series, number analogies, number puzzles | Choose CCAT pack |
| Non-Verbal | Visual logic, shapes, spatial reasoning, pattern recognition | Figure classification, figure matrices, paper folding | Choose CCAT pack |
Parent note:
Your child’s exact question types and difficulty level may depend on grade, CCAT level, test form, and school instructions.
CCAT Verbal Sample Questions
CCAT verbal questions measure how students reason with words, categories, sentence meaning, and relationships between ideas.
Verbal Sample 1: Verbal Classification
Choose the word that belongs with the first three words.
Apple Banana Orange
- Carrot
- Grape
- Bread
- Milk
- Plate
Answer
The correct answer is B, Grape.
Apple, banana, orange, and grape are all fruits.
Verbal Sample 2: Verbal Classification
Choose the word that belongs with the first three words.
Violin Guitar Cello
- Drum
- Harp
- Flute
- Trumpet
- Song
Answer
The correct answer is B, Harp.
Violin, guitar, cello, and harp are all stringed instruments.
Verbal Sample 3: Verbal Analogy
Complete the analogy.
Bird is to nest as bee is to ____.
- Flower
- Hive
- Honey
- Wing
- Buzz
Answer
The correct answer is B, Hive.
A bird lives in a nest, and a bee lives in a hive.
Verbal Sample 4: Verbal Analogy
Complete the analogy.
Book is to reading as fork is to ____.
- Cooking
- Eating
- Kitchen
- Plate
- Food
Answer
The correct answer is B, Eating.
A book is used for reading, and a fork is used for eating.
Verbal Sample 5: Sentence Completion
Choose the word that best completes the sentence.
The glass vase was very _____, so Mia carried it carefully.
- heavy
- fragile
- colourful
- empty
- round
Answer
The correct answer is B, fragile.
The clue is that Mia carried the vase carefully. Fragile means easily broken.
Practise CCAT Verbal Reasoning
CCAT Quantitative Sample Questions
CCAT quantitative questions measure number reasoning, pattern recognition, and the ability to identify mathematical relationships.
Quantitative Sample 1: Number Series
What number comes next?
3, 6, 9, 12, ___
- 13
- 14
- 15
- 18
- 21
Answer
The correct answer is C, 15.
The pattern adds 3 each time: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15.
Quantitative Sample 2: Number Series
What number comes next?
2, 4, 8, 16, ___
- 20
- 24
- 28
- 32
- 36
Answer
The correct answer is D, 32.
Each number is multiplied by 2.
Quantitative Sample 3: Number Analogy
Find the missing number.
4 → 8 6 → 12 9 → ?
- 15
- 16
- 18
- 20
- 27
Answer
The correct answer is C, 18.
Each number is multiplied by 2. So, 9 × 2 = 18.
Quantitative Sample 4: Number Analogy
Find the missing number.
5 → 25 7 → 49 8 → ?
- 16
- 32
- 56
- 64
- 81
Answer
The correct answer is D, 64.
Each number is squared. 8² = 64.
Quantitative Sample 5: Number Puzzle
Find the missing number.
6 + 4 = 10
8 + 5 = 13
9 + 7 = ?
- 14
- 15
- 16
- 17
- 18
Answer
The correct answer is C, 16.
The rule is simple addition: 9 + 7 = 16.
Practise CCAT Quantitative Reasoning
CCAT Non-Verbal Sample Questions
CCAT non-verbal questions measure visual reasoning, pattern recognition, and spatial problem solving. The examples below use text descriptions so the logic is easy to understand without special images.
Non-Verbal Sample 1: Figure Classification
Three figures share the same rule:
- a black triangle;
- a black square;
- a black circle.
Which figure belongs with them?
- White triangle
- Black star
- Striped square
- Grey circle
- White star
Answer
The correct answer is B, Black star.
The rule is that all figures are black. The shape changes, but the colour stays the same.
Non-Verbal Sample 2: Figure Classification
Three figures share the same rule:
- a triangle with 3 dots;
- a square with 3 dots;
- a circle with 3 dots.
Which figure belongs with them?
- A star with 2 dots
- A star with 3 dots
- A triangle with 4 dots
- A square with no dots
- A circle with 1 dot
Answer
The correct answer is B, A star with 3 dots.
The shared rule is that every figure has exactly 3 dots.
Non-Verbal Sample 3: Figure Matrix
Look at the pattern:
Small circle → Large circle
Small square → ?
Which answer follows the same rule?
- Small circle
- Large circle
- Small square
- Large square
- Large triangle
Answer
The correct answer is D, Large square.
The rule changes a small shape into the same shape, but larger. A small square becomes a large square.
Non-Verbal Sample 4: Figure Matrix
Look at the pattern:
White triangle → Black triangle
White circle → ?
Which answer follows the same rule?
- White circle
- Black circle
- Black square
- White triangle
- Grey circle
Answer
The correct answer is B, Black circle.
The rule changes the colour from white to black while keeping the same shape.
Non-Verbal Sample 5: Paper Folding
A square piece of paper is folded in half from left to right. A hole is punched near the folded edge. When the paper is unfolded, how many holes will there be?
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
Answer
The correct answer is B, 2.
Because the paper was folded once, one punched hole appears in two matching positions when the paper is unfolded.
Non-Verbal Sample 6: Rotation
An arrow points up. It rotates one quarter-turn clockwise.
Which direction does it point now?
- Up
- Down
- Left
- Right
- It disappears
Answer
The correct answer is D, Right.
A quarter-turn clockwise from up points to the right.
Practise CCAT Non-Verbal Reasoning
How to Use CCAT Sample Questions
Free sample questions are useful for understanding the format, but they are only the first step. Students should practise across all three reasoning areas and learn how to explain the rule behind each answer.
Use the sample questions this way:
- Start with one battery: verbal, quantitative, or non-verbal.
- Let the student answer independently: avoid giving hints before the first attempt.
- Review the explanation: focus on the relationship or pattern behind the correct answer.
- Ask why other answers are wrong: this builds flexible reasoning.
- Practise by grade level: choose questions that match your child’s likely CCAT level.
- Use timed practice gradually: start untimed, then add timing once the format is familiar.
Reasoning test reminder:
The goal is not to memorize sample answers. The goal is to learn how to find patterns, relationships, categories, and visual rules.
CCAT Practice Packs by Grade
For full preparation, choose a practice pack that matches your child’s grade or the level provided by the school.
| Grade | Practice Link | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Kindergarten | CCAT Kindergarten practice | Young students preparing for early CCAT-style reasoning |
| Grade 1 | CCAT Grade 1 practice | Early elementary verbal, quantitative, and non-verbal practice |
| Grade 2 | CCAT Grade 2 practice | Reasoning practice with clearer patterns and more structured questions |
| Grade 3 | CCAT Grade 3 practice | Analogies, number series, visual logic, and gifted-test preparation |
| Grade 4 | CCAT Grade 4 practice | Common gifted-screening practice and balanced reasoning preparation |
| Grade 5 | CCAT Grade 5 practice | More advanced verbal, quantitative, and non-verbal reasoning |
| Grade 6 | CCAT Grade 6 practice | Higher-level CCAT preparation for older elementary students |
| All Levels | CCAT gifted practice tests | Parents comparing available CCAT gifted practice options |
Recommended next step:
If you know your child’s grade, choose the matching CCAT practice pack. If you are unsure, start with the CCAT gifted practice overview and confirm the level with your school.
CCAT Sample Questions FAQs
Are these official CCAT questions?
No. These are CCAT-style sample questions created for practice and explanation. They are not official Canadian Cognitive Abilities Test questions.
What types of questions are on the CCAT?
The CCAT may include verbal classification, sentence completion, verbal analogies, number series, number analogies, number puzzles, figure classification, figure matrices, and paper folding.
What is the difference between verbal, quantitative, and non-verbal reasoning?
Verbal reasoning uses words and language relationships. Quantitative reasoning uses numbers and mathematical patterns. Non-verbal reasoning uses shapes, figures, and visual patterns.
Can sample questions help students prepare?
Yes. Sample questions can help students understand the test style, reduce anxiety, and learn how to identify patterns and relationships.
Should students memorize CCAT sample questions?
No. Memorizing answers is not a good strategy. Students should practise the reasoning skills behind the questions.
Where can I find full CCAT practice tests?
Students can use CCAT gifted practice packs by grade, including Kindergarten, Grade 1, Grade 2, Grade 3, Grade 4, Grade 5, and Grade 6.