Which Companies Use the CCAT? A Candidate's Guide to Pre-Employment Cognitive Testing

The Criteria Cognitive Aptitude Test (CCAT) is one of the most widely used cognitive assessments in hiring today. If you just received a CCAT link from a recruiter or admissions office, you are not alone: thousands of candidates encounter this exam every week. Knowing which companies and programs rely on the CCAT—and what they are trying to measure—helps you prepare with purpose instead of guessing what “good enough” looks like for your situation.

Below: why employers use the CCAT, which organizations are commonly tied to it, typical score bands, and how to practice with TestCCAT under real time pressure.

Why Companies Use the CCAT

Cognitive aptitude tests predict how quickly someone learns, reasons, and applies new information. General ability measures often correlate with job performance better than resumes or unstructured interviews alone—especially when problem-solving speed matters.

The CCAT is fifteen minutes and fifty questions: standardized, hard to fake with cramming, and scored on one comparable scale. Employers use it to rank large applicant pools efficiently; it is usually an early gate, not the final interview.

Companies and Programs That Use the CCAT

The list below reflects publicly discussed hiring and admissions practices. Requirements change over time, so treat numbers as directional benchmarks and confirm details with your recruiter or program coordinator.

Keywords candidates search for—“CCAT employer list,” “Criteria test companies,” “Crossover CCAT score”—all point to the same need: a clear map of who uses the exam and what score signals competitiveness. Use this section as a starting point, then verify anything mission-critical with the organization that invited you.

Crossover

Crossover is a remote-first tech company publicly associated with the CCAT. Software engineering candidates often report a 35+ expectation; the CCAT is typically the first gate before later interviews. If Crossover sent your link, prioritize timed full-length practice. View full Crossover prep guide →

Coinbase

Coinbase has been reported to use the CCAT for technical and operational screening. Candidates often see the link early, before deeper technical rounds. If your pipeline mentions Criteria or cognitive testing, treat the CCAT as a real advance-or-stop filter. View full Coinbase prep guide →

Automattic

Automattic—the company behind WordPress.com, WooCommerce, Jetpack, and Tumblr—uses the CCAT as an early screen for strategy, operations, and business roles. Candidates report the assessment appearing before Automattic’s distinctive paid trial project stage. For Strategy & Operations positions, the Verbal and Math sections carry the most weight; analytical communication and quantitative reasoning mirror what the trial project will demand. View full Automattic prep guide →

Gauntlet.ai

Gauntlet.ai runs an AI engineering bootcamp with multiple tracks. The private company cohort often expects 40+ (roughly top 1% on many norms). The “Gauntlet for America” track targets government and public-sector paths (e.g., IRS-related pipelines) and has reportedly accepted candidates around 36. View full Gauntlet AI prep guide →

Bain & Company

Some Bain divisions use CCAT-style cognitive screens alongside cases and behavioral interviews. Confirm whether your invite is the CCAT specifically, then practice verbal, math, and spatial pacing—not only case prep.

Wayfair

Wayfair has been reported to use the CCAT for some analytical and operational roles. Not every requisition includes it; if your invite names Criteria or the CCAT, assume the score can gate progression.

Healthcare & Education Programs

Some college programs use the CCAT for admissions, including associate-degree healthcare tracks such as Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA). They screen reasoning speed and readiness alongside GPA. Ask the school for its target score; cutoffs often differ from tech employers.

What Scores Do These Companies Require?

Score expectations vary by role, program, and competition level. As a quick rule of thumb: 28+ is a solid corporate baseline, 35+ opens elite tech gates, and 40+ targets the most selective programs. If no one confirms a number, aim above the ~24 average and adjust upward for your specific target.

How to Prepare

The best prep is timed practice on realistic items. Map your weak spots across verbal, math, and spatial, then rehearse full-length sets so you build rhythm, not isolated trivia.

• Simulate test conditions: timer visible, no distractions, full fifty-question sets when possible.
• Track error patterns by type (vocabulary, arithmetic, spatial rotation) and fix systematically.
• Review missed items briefly, then move on; perfectionism destroys CCAT pacing.

Full Company Directory

Click any company or program below for a detailed prep guide with score targets, retake policies, proctoring details, and insider tips.

Programs & Fellowships

Closing

If your company or program is not listed here and you know they use the CCAT, we would love to hear about it. The more candidates share, the better everyone can prepare. Until then, treat the exam as a real filter, practice under time pressure, and aim for a score that fits your path—whether that is a 24+ admissions bar, a 28+ corporate baseline, or a 35–40+ elite gate.