CCAT Test Grade 5 Prep: CCAT Level 11 Practice Tests & Tips

What Is the CCAT-7?

The CCAT is a test aimed at measuring cognitive abilities among kindergarten and school children. CCAT stands for "Canadian Cognitive Abilities Test," and as its name indicates, is used in Canada. The CCAT in Canada replaces the CogAT, which is mainly used in the United States. Yet, these two tests are almost identical. Many gifted and talented programs treat the CCAT score as an admission criterion. The CCAT is designed to measure a wide variety of cognitive abilities, which are grouped into three clusters or batteries: verbal, nonverbal, and quantitative. Due to its broad cover, the CCAT gives an opportunity to non-native English speakers to perform well on the test, by achieving a high score on the quantitative and nonverbal batteries.

CCAT Test Format & Content

In total, there are 176 questions on the grade 5 CCAT. As on each level of the CCAT, there are three batteries: Verbal, Nonverbal, and Quantitative. These batteries may be administered together or separately, depending on the needs and restrictions of the administering teacher and/or the school.

In our CCAT pack you will find full-length tests which precisely simulate the structure of the real CCAT. Note that the practice materials appear in the CogAT too as these tests are nearly identical. Each battery on the test is further divided into three sub-sections, the same way as it is on the real test:

The verbal battery:

1. Verbal analogies: you are presented with a pair of words with a certain relationship between them. Could you figure out the relationship and use it to find the missing word in the next pair?
2. Sentence completion: this section is like a puzzle – choose the correct missing words to form a logical sentence.
3. Verbal classification: there are three words and they are all part of a certain group or category. Could you figure it out and determine the answer choice that belongs to the same group?

The quantitative battery:

1. Number analogies: you are being presented with three pairs of numbers. Could you find the correct missing number in the third pair, based on the relationship in the first two pairs?
2. Number series: can you guess the next missing number in a given set of numbers? Try to look for some rules or patterns – there could be more than one!
3. Number puzzles: your aim is to replace the square with the question mark with the correct number. But in order to do so, you will have to solve some equations.

The nonverbal battery:

1. Figure matrices: from left to right, the figures in a matrix are going through some kind of transformation. Find the kind of transformation and implement it upon the figure in the bottom row to find out how the missing figure should look like.
2. Figure classification: there are three shapes and they are all part of a certain group or category. Could you figure it out and determine the answer choice that is part of the same group?
3. Paper folding: Unfold a pierced piece of paper to find out how it will look like unfolded.

How to Study Effectively for the CCAT

The CCAT is a challenging test, especially in grade 5 where the level is significantly harder than in lower levels. The complexity appears in the form of larger numbers, richer vocabulary, and especially in the number of steps that are required for solving each question. Having said that, reaching a satisfying score is a feasible goal, with appropriate practice in advance. Here we present several guidelines which can help you prepare effectively for the CCAT.

It is important to leave yourself plenty of time for learning and revision. Start learning for the CCAT at least two weeks in advance. This way you will not be stressed out and you would be able to bring your potential to maximum.

When you sit and learn, make sure to remove potential distractions such as TV or mobile phones, and to keep your learning environment as quiet as possible. Try to be entirely focused on your studies and remind yourself your goal in taking the CCAT. It is also recommended to keep your desk clean and tidy, so you would be able to deal only with the relevant learning materials and not with other irrelevant stuff.  

Even though it is important to devote enough time for practice and revision, taking breaks from time to time is equivalently important. Allow yourself to go out to breath some fresh air, to have fun with family and friends, and to think about other things rather than about the test only.

And finally, it is warmly recommended to drink enough water! It will refresh your mind and enable you to concentrate better.