Tag: crossover ccat

How to Apply for Crossover Roles: Step-by-Step Guide

Table of Contents

Overview

In this post, I have tried to cover the different questions that I get regarding working with Crossover. After you have gone through this article, if you still have questions, please feel free to reach out to me on LinkedIn with your specific query and I’d be happy to answer it for you. However, please be sure to read this post completely and explore all the resources that have been mentioned in it.

Crossover Available Roles & Crossover Application Process

  1. Navigate to Crossover’s website [Navbar > Join Crossover > Current Openings], you’ll see the different roles that they’re hiring for at the moment.
  2. Go through the titles of the roles, see which ones fit your profile/skillset.
  3. Read the detailed Job Description, specifically the Candidate Requirements section.
  4. If you’re not fully sure that you are eligible for the role, apply for it anyway, as the very first step in your application is the Basic Fit test. It takes 10-20 seconds to fill and within 30 seconds it would let you know if you’re eligible to apply for the role or not.
  5. The next step is the Cognitive Aptitude Test (CCAT), coupled with a Spoken English Proficiency Test. (More details on the CCAT below).
  6. Other than that, there might be role specific tests , which shouldn’t take more than 30-60 minutes to complete. Note: You only have to complete these tests once and it would apply for all the other roles that you apply to.
    Note: An additional “Generative AI Assessment” has also recently been added – I will update the article to give tips for that in the coming weeks; for the time being, if you need raw unstructured advice on that, just ping me on LinkedIn.
  7. The next part is Real Work, which would test your domain knowledge. These tasks would be role specific; I’ve seen a minimum of one and a maximum of three real work assignments for different roles over time. Most of these are not timed (from what I’ve seen), and they give you a very nice, long description of what to expect in that particular assignment. So just read through that, see if you’d like/need to revise anything before attempting it, then go ahead and do the assignment.
  8. Once you clear the real work assignment(s), the hiring manager will review your complete profile and if you seem like a good fit, they’d invite you for an interview.
  9. If you’ve cleared all the previous steps on your own, the interview shouldn’t really be much of an issue for you. Just don’t do any major blunders and you should be fine.
  10. Clearing the interview gets you the offer, and before joining you have to re-take the CCAT test, only this time, it would be proctored. So, if you used a calculator, or cheated in any way previously, you’d basically have your offer rescinded.
  11. That’s all!
    Note: Once you apply for a role, these steps appear on the portal as well.

Criteria Cognitive Aptitude Test (CCAT Test)

The best way to crack the Crossover CCAT test is to practice. That’s the only way that works; you need to train your mind about the type of questions you can expect, learn some tricks to “save time” because the limiting factor in that test is time. I believe that if anyone had 60 minutes for the CCAT; they would for sure score 100% marks, because the questions themselves are not hard; it’s just that some of them are “time sinks” and you need some “tricks” or practice to quickly do them, or decide to “skip” them to have a shot at attempting all 50 questions in the given time.

If you want to structure that practice before this stage, follow a 7-day CCAT prep plan.

In the last 4 years, 100+ people have asked me on LinkedIn on how to pass the CCAT, so a few months ago I decided to create a course on Udemy for CCAT Practice Tests. It has 5 mock CCAT tests that closely match what you can expect in the actual CCAT test. You can access that via this link : Criteria Cognitive Aptitude Test (CCAT) Practice Tests 2024. If you end up taking the course, I would appreciate it if you could drop your feedback on my LinkedIn if you find anything “off” in the course, so that I can correct/improve it for future learners (thank you! 🙂 ).

That said, besides the practice tests, here’s some key points:

  • You get 12 minutes (IIRC, or maybe 15 minutes – you will know in advance of course) to attempt 50 questions. From what I’ve noticed, this is the rough scale:
    • 4 stars > 35+ marks.
    • 5 stars > 40+ marks.
    • 6 stars > 45+ marks.
  • Each role would have a different requirement for the number of stars.
  • Mindfulness and focus really matters in this one. Best to do it on a day and time when you’re fully relaxed and haven’t done any other mind-numbing activity.
  • Question types include: Basic Mathematics, English & puzzles.
  • Be fast. Don’t think you know the answer straight away and it’d likely take you more than 30 seconds to get it? Make a guess move on. Try to attempt all 50 questions in the allotted time.
  • To add to the above point, questions are ordered randomly (not in increasing order of difficulty), so it’s very likely that if you’re only able to attempt 45 questions for instance, the last 5 questions might have been easy but you never got to them because you spent too much time on a hard question (hard = would take more than 30 seconds to solve).
  • Try to find some generic tips & tricks for ‘quick math questions’. Example: 12 is 20% of what number (x is y% of what number). You can solve that in your head quite quickly by doing x100/y | (12100)/20 = 60. This is just an example. Series, sequences, basic algebra, these are some of the topics that I remember being touched in this exam, so just do a quick 20-30 minutes revision of these.
  • TAKE the test. The best way to know which areas you need to improve on and what to expect on the test, is to take the test. They let you take it twice before blocking you for the next 3 or 6 months. Once you have taken the test, I’m sure you can pinpoint which areas you struggled in (took more time) and can look for online resources where you can practice similar questions.

I compiled a list of a few free resources for the CCAT Practice Tests here:

Top Free CCAT Practice Tests to Prepare Like a Pro (2025 Guide)

Crossover Work Environment:

  • Varies from team to team and company to company. But my general observation has been that as long as you’re doing quality work, you would be fine.
  • Your colleagues are going to be very very smart people (they went through the same challenging recruitment process that you did), so you always have to be delivering your best work to keep your performance levels high.
  • There is a lot of autonomy – little to no micromanagement. You get constructive feedback/coaching for areas where you can improve by your Manager, if and when needed, in an asynchronous manner.
  • Shift requirements can vary from team to team, or company to company.
  • You’re not bothered past your shift timings, for most roles that I know of at least.
  • If you’re on holidays, there are very low chances that you would be bothered at all. I personally never have been, IIC. Again, I obviously haven’t worked, or talked to people, in all the roles. But one thing that I have observed is that if you are requested to check in on a holiday, it would be for emergency cases only, where you are the only resource that is equipped to handle the situation.
  • Fully remote – no time wasted traveling.
  • Compensation is as advertised. If it says $50/hr on the portal, that’s exactly what you would be getting. Payment cycles are weekly, not monthly.
  • You’re expected to treat this as a full-time commitment (I’ve never seen Crossover advertise a part-time job) , minus any (un)planned holidays.

💡Youtube Playlist: Step-by-Step Guide to Landing Remote Jobs in 2024

Conclusion:

I’ve read some really bad reviews on Glassdoor, but did not really find them to be true for pretty much all the teams that I’ve had a chance to collaborate with, but of course, experiences can vary based on perceptions so feel free to ask other people directly (Plus, most of the reviews on Glassdoor I’d say are by people who basically never really cleared the recruitment round). Lastly, I’ve only covered the basics here, if you have any specific questions, drop them in the comments below or message me on LinkedIn. I’ll either include them in the article so that other people can benefit from them in the future, or see if I can schedule a meeting with you if it requires detailed guidance/can’t be covered properly over text.

P.S: Read the FAQs on their website, they cover a lot of common queries quite well.

I have also covered some other areas that you might have questions about. You can read about it here:

  1. What is a Good CCAT Score? Understanding Your Test Results
  2. CCAT Spatial Reasoning Mastery: Visual Strategies for the Hardest Question Types
  3. CCAT Test FAQ: Answers to Your Most Common AI Assistant Questions
  4. 7 Critical CCAT Time Management Techniques for Test Day Success
  5. 10 CCAT Mistakes That Are Killing Your Score (And How to Fix Them)
  6. CCAT Sample Questions & Strategies to Outsmart the Test (2025)

Read next

Crossover CCAT Test: Your 2026 Guide to Acing the Assessment

The Crossover Cognitive Aptitude Test (CCAT) is a critical assessment used by Crossover to identify top talent, evaluating candidates’ problem-solving and learning abilities essential for high-performance roles. Success on this test hinges on understanding its structure, practicing effectively, and developing strong test-taking strategies. This guide will provide a comprehensive overview of the Crossover CCAT, actionable preparation tips, and insights into how your performance impacts Crossover’s rigorous hiring process.

Summary

The Crossover Cognitive Aptitude Test (CCAT) is a 15-minute, 50-question assessment measuring problem-solving and learning abilities. It is a crucial part of Crossover’s highly competitive hiring process. This guide provides an in-depth look at the test’s structure, question types, and score benchmarks. It also offers comprehensive preparation strategies, including practice tips and resources for free CCAT practice tests, to help candidates maximize their scores and secure high-performance roles.

What is the Crossover Cognitive Aptitude Test?

The Crossover Cognitive Aptitude Test (CCAT) is a standardized assessment designed to measure a candidate’s cognitive abilities, including problem-solving, critical thinking, and the capacity to learn new information quickly. It is a fundamental component of Crossover’s hiring process, used to identify individuals who possess the intellectual agility required for demanding, high-performance roles. The CCAT is a 15-minute assessment consisting of 50 questions, designed to measure problem-solving and learning abilities essential for high-performance roles. This rigorous test helps Crossover filter through a large pool of applicants to find those with exceptional cognitive potential. For a deeper dive into this assessment, you can explore Crossover’s Cognitive Aptitude Test (CCAT).

The purpose of the Crossover Cognitive Aptitude Test is to objectively evaluate a candidate’s innate ability to process information, make logical deductions, and adapt to new challenges. Unlike tests that measure specific knowledge or skills, the CCAT focuses on fundamental cognitive functions that are predictive of success across various professional domains. Crossover’s hiring process is highly competitive, with only 1 in 100 candidates being invited to take the proctored CCAT, indicating a rigorous selection process. This statistic underscores the importance of performing well on this assessment as it is a significant gatekeeper in their recruitment pipeline.

Understanding the Crossover CCAT

The Crossover CCAT is structured to assess a broad spectrum of cognitive skills within a tight time constraint. The test aims to gauge how quickly and accurately a candidate can analyze information and solve problems under pressure. A candidate for a VP Talent Operations role at Crossover described the assessment process as combining an initial conversation with a timed cognitive aptitude test designed to measure speed, logic, and pattern recognition under pressure. This highlights the dual focus on both speed and accuracy.

The test’s format typically includes a mix of question types that target different cognitive domains. Understanding these categories is crucial for effective preparation. The scoring is based on the number of correct answers within the allotted 15 minutes, with no penalty for incorrect responses. This encourages candidates to attempt as many questions as possible, but accuracy remains paramount. For a full CCAT format, score, and prep breakdown, this guide walks through each part of the test in depth.

Types of Questions in the Crossover Assessment

The Crossover assessment covers three primary categories of cognitive abilities:

  • Verbal Reasoning: These questions assess your ability to understand and interpret written information, identify relationships between words, and comprehend complex concepts. Examples include analogies, synonym/antonym identification, and reading comprehension. Strong verbal reasoning skills are vital for effective communication and understanding intricate project requirements in a professional setting.
  • Numerical Reasoning: This section evaluates your aptitude for working with numbers, performing calculations, and interpreting data. Questions might involve basic arithmetic, number series, ratios, percentages, and data interpretation from charts or graphs. Proficiency in numerical reasoning is essential for analytical roles and data-driven decision-making.
  • Spatial Reasoning: This category measures your ability to visualize and manipulate shapes, patterns, and objects in space. Questions often involve identifying patterns, rotating figures, or understanding 3D representations. Spatial reasoning is important for roles requiring problem-solving in design, engineering, or logical structuring.

Each question type demands a slightly different approach and cognitive skill set. Familiarizing yourself with these variations through practice is key to improving your performance on the Crossover hiring test.

Score Benchmarks for the Crossover Hiring Test

Crossover sets specific score benchmarks for the CCAT, which vary depending on the role’s requirements. These benchmarks are not publicly disclosed in detail but are generally higher for more senior or technically demanding positions. A higher score typically indicates stronger cognitive abilities, which Crossover correlates with higher potential for success in their high-performance culture.

While specific numbers are proprietary, it’s understood that a strong performance on the CCAT usually means scoring significantly above average. Candidates are encouraged to aim for the highest possible score. Candidates are allowed to retake the CCAT after six months if they do not meet the required score range for a specific role, providing an opportunity for improvement. This retake policy underscores the importance Crossover places on this assessment and offers a second chance for those who may not have performed optimally on their first attempt. Understanding these ccat score benchmarks helps candidates gauge the level of preparation required.

Preparation Strategies for Success

Effective preparation is paramount for excelling on the Crossover Cognitive Aptitude Test. Given the test’s timed nature and the breadth of cognitive skills it assesses, a structured approach to studying and practicing is essential. Murray Elphick, an AI Content Writer at Crossover, shared his experience of taking the proctored CCAT, highlighting the structured environment and the importance of a distraction-free space for optimal performance. This experience emphasizes that preparation extends beyond just understanding the material-it also involves creating the right testing conditions.

Developing strong time management skills is crucial, as you only have 15 minutes to answer 50 questions. This means spending an average of 18 seconds per question. While it’s unlikely you’ll answer every question, maximizing your correct answers within the time limit is the goal. Strategies like skipping difficult questions and returning to them if time permits, and not getting stuck on any single problem, are vital. For more detailed guidance, consider reviewing CCAT Practice Exam Strategies.

Top Tips for Preparing for the Crossover CCAT

Here are actionable tips to help you prepare effectively for the Crossover CCAT:

  • Understand the Test Format and Question Types: Familiarize yourself with the verbal, numerical, and spatial reasoning questions. Knowing what to expect reduces anxiety and allows you to allocate your mental resources efficiently during the actual test.
  • Consistent Practice is Key: Regularly engage with practice questions. This builds speed and accuracy. Focus on understanding the underlying logic of each question type rather than just memorizing answers.
  • Simulate Test Conditions: Practice under timed conditions. Set a timer for 15 minutes and attempt 50 questions to mimic the real test environment. This helps you get comfortable with the pressure and pacing required.
  • Improve Mental Math Skills: For numerical reasoning, quick mental calculations can save valuable time. Practice basic arithmetic, percentages, and ratios without a calculator.
  • Enhance Vocabulary: For verbal reasoning questions, a strong vocabulary is a significant advantage. Read widely and use flashcards to learn new words, especially synonyms and antonyms.
  • Develop Pattern Recognition: For spatial reasoning, practice identifying patterns, sequences, and relationships between figures. Online puzzles and brain teasers can be beneficial.
  • Analyze Your Mistakes: After each practice session, review incorrect answers. Understand why you made a mistake and learn from it. This iterative process is crucial for improvement.
  • Prioritize and Manage Time: Since you only have 18 seconds per question, learn to quickly identify questions you can answer fast and those that might take longer. Don’t dwell on a single difficult question; move on and return if you have time. This helps avoid common CCAT mistakes that can kill your score.
  • Create an Optimal Study Environment: Just as Murray Elphick emphasized for the proctored test, ensure your practice environment is free from distractions. This helps you focus and simulate the concentration needed during the actual assessment.
  • Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle: Adequate sleep, a balanced diet, and regular exercise contribute to better cognitive function. Your brain performs best when you are well-rested and healthy.

Where to Find Free CCAT Practice Tests

Finding reliable resources for ccat practice test free can significantly boost your preparation. While official Crossover practice tests are limited, several platforms offer similar cognitive aptitude tests that mirror the CCAT’s structure and question types.

Here are some excellent resources where you can find practice materials:

  • Online Assessment Platforms: Websites specializing in pre-employment tests often provide free sample questions or trial versions of their CCAT practice tests. These can give you a good feel for the types of questions and the time pressure.
  • Educational Websites: Many educational sites offer free cognitive ability tests, which, while not specifically branded as CCAT, cover verbal, numerical, and spatial reasoning.
  • YouTube Tutorials: Numerous channels offer walkthroughs of cognitive aptitude test questions, providing explanations and strategies that can be directly applied to the Crossover CCAT.
  • Free CCAT Resources on mjunaidkhalid.com: This blog often provides guides and links to free practice materials. Keep an eye out for updated articles and resources that focus on CCAT preparation.

When utilizing free resources, ensure they closely align with the types of questions you expect to encounter on the Crossover assessment. The goal is to build familiarity and confidence, so choosing relevant practice materials is paramount.

FAQ

What is the passing score for the Crossover CCAT?

Crossover does not publicly disclose specific “passing scores.” Instead, they use score benchmarks that vary depending on the specific role you are applying for. Higher-level or more technical roles typically require higher scores. The goal is to achieve the highest possible score to demonstrate strong cognitive abilities.

How important is the CCAT in Crossover’s hiring process?

The CCAT is a critical component of Crossover’s hiring process. It serves as a significant filter, assessing candidates’ problem-solving and learning abilities which are essential for success in their high-performance culture. Crossover’s hiring process is highly competitive, with only 1 in 100 candidates being invited to take the proctored CCAT, underscoring its importance.

Can I retake the Crossover Cognitive Aptitude Test if I don’t pass?

Yes, candidates are generally allowed to retake the CCAT after a waiting period, typically six months, if they do not meet the required score range for a specific role. This provides an opportunity for improvement and demonstrates Crossover’s commitment to giving candidates a fair chance.

What should I do during the test if I don’t know an answer?

Given the strict time limit of 15 minutes for 50 questions, it’s advisable not to spend too much time on a single question you find difficult. Since there is no penalty for incorrect answers, it’s often recommended to make an educated guess and move on. You can flag questions and return to them if you have time remaining at the end of the test.

Conclusion

The Crossover Cognitive Aptitude Test is a challenging yet crucial hurdle in securing high-performance roles with Crossover. Its purpose is to identify individuals with exceptional problem-solving, critical thinking, and learning capabilities. By understanding the test’s structure, familiarizing yourself with the different question types-verbal, numerical, and spatial reasoning-and practicing consistently under timed conditions, you can significantly improve your chances of success.

Remember the importance of a structured preparation approach, combining targeted practice with creating an optimal testing environment. Utilize free CCAT practice test resources, analyze your performance, and refine your strategies. Your dedication to preparation will not only boost your score but also build the confidence needed to excel in this competitive assessment.

To stay ahead with more insights, AI workflows, and systems for founders, be sure to subscribe to The Efficient Entrepreneur newsletter.

Crossover’s Hiring Process: What to Expect in Crossover CCAT Assessment

Table of Contents

Are you considering applying for a position at Crossover?

Before you start, remember that Crossover has a rather rigorous hiring process and it uses the Criteria Cognitive Aptitude Test (CCAT) as a key component in evaluating candidates. This article will guide you through Crossover’s hiring steps, particularly focusing on the CCAT assessment.

Overview of Crossover’s Hiring Steps

Crossover’s hiring process involves the following stages:

  1. Initial application screening
  2. Basic Fit test
  3. CCAT assessment
  4. Spoken English Test
  5. Real work assignments
  6. Interview with hiring manager
  7. Offer and proctored CCAT retake

Let’s look deeper into the Criteria Cognitive Aptitude Test (CCAT) portion of this process.

Detailed Breakdown of the Criteria Cognitive Aptitude Test (CCAT)

The Criteria Cognitive Aptitude Test (CCAT) is a crucial step in Crossover’s hiring process. Here’s what you need to know:

  • Time Limit: 15 minutes
  • Number of Questions: 50
  • Question Types: Verbal, Math and Logic, Spatial Reasoning
  • Scoring: Based on the number of correct answers, with percentile rankings

Crossover uses the CCAT to assess your problem-solving abilities, critical thinking skills, and aptitude for learning new information quickly.

💡Youtube Playlist: Step-by-Step Guide to Landing Remote Jobs in 2024

Tips Specific to Crossover’s Criteria Cognitive Aptitude Test (CCAT)

  1. Aim High: Crossover often looks for candidates scoring above the 90th percentile, with some roles requiring scores in the 95th percentile or higher (40+ marks out of 50).
  2. Time Management: Practice answering questions quickly but accurately.
  3. Broad Knowledge: The CCAT covers a wide range of topics, so brush up on various subjects.
  4. No Calculator: Mental math skills are crucial as no calculator is allowed.

How Crossover Uses CCAT Scores in Their Decision-Making

Crossover uses CCAT scores as a key factor in their hiring decisions:

  1. Initial Screening: A minimum score (40) is often required to proceed in the process.
  2. Role Matching: Higher scores may qualify you for more advanced or complex roles.
  3. Potential Assessment: Scores help predict your ability to learn and adapt quickly in a fast-paced environment.

To see how CCAT scores map to cutoffs by role, this breakdown lays out the percentile bands most employers use.

Preparing for Crossover’s CCAT Assessment

To maximize your chances of success, consider these preparation strategies:

  1. Take CCAT Practice Tests: Familiarize yourself with the question types and time pressure.
  2. Improve Weak Areas: Identify and focus on improving your weakest areas.
  3. Time Management: Practice answering questions quickly and accurately.
  4. Stay Calm: Remember, the CCAT is designed to be challenging. Stay focused and do your best.

In the last 4 years, 100+ people have asked me on LinkedIn on how to pass the CCAT, so a few months ago I decided to create a course on Udemy for CCAT Practice Tests. It has 4 mock CCAT tests that closely match what you can expect in the actual CCAT test. 

You can access that via this link : Criteria Cognitive Aptitude Test (CCAT) Practice Tests 2024. If you end up taking the course, I would appreciate it if you could drop your feedback on my LinkedIn if you find anything “off” in the course, so that I can correct/improve it for future learners (thank you! 🙂 ).

There are also some free resources if you just want to get an idea of the sort of questions you can expect here:

Top Free CCAT Practice Tests to Prepare Like a Pro (2025 Guide)

Conclusion

Understanding Crossover’s hiring process, particularly the Criteria Cognitive Aptitude Test (CCAT) assessment, is crucial for your success. The hiring process is designed to identify candidates who will do well in Crossover’s high-performance, remote work environment. With proper preparation, especially through quality CCAT practice tests, you can approach the assessment with confidence and increase your chances of landing your desired role at Crossover.

💡Youtube Playlist: Step-by-Step Guide to Landing Remote Jobs in 2024

Read next

Crossover’s Cognitive Aptitude Test (CCAT): Assessment and Preparation

Table of Contents

  • What is the Criteria Cognitive Aptitude Test (CCAT)?
  • Purpose and Use in Hiring Processes
  • Test Structure and Content
  • How Companies Like Crossover Use CCAT
  • Tips for CCAT Preparation
  • Where to find CCAT Practice Tests?

Are you preparing for a job application that requires a cognitive aptitude test? You might be facing the Criteria Cognitive Aptitude Test, or CCAT. This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about the CCAT, from its purpose to preparation strategies.

What is the Criteria Cognitive Aptitude Test (CCAT)?

The Criteria Cognitive Aptitude Test (CCAT) is a popular pre-employment assessment used by many companies, including Crossover, to evaluate a candidate’s problem-solving abilities, critical thinking skills, and aptitude for learning new information. This cognitive aptitude assessment is designed to predict job performance and learning potential across a wide range of occupations.

Purpose and Use in Hiring Processes

Employers use the CCAT to:

  1. Assess a candidate’s ability to solve problems and learn quickly
  2. Predict job performance and potential for success in a role
  3. Streamline the hiring process by identifying top candidates early

Companies like Crossover incorporate the CCAT into their hiring process to ensure they’re selecting candidates who can thrive in fast-paced, intellectually demanding environments.

Test Structure and Content

The CCAT consists of 50 questions that must be completed in 15 minutes. The test covers three main areas:

  1. Verbal ability
  2. Math and logic
  3. Spatial reasoning

Questions are presented in a multiple-choice format and include:

  • Word analogies
  • Number series
  • Math word problems
  • Logic statements
  • Figure matrices

CCAT Scoring system

CCAT scores are typically reported on a scale from 0 to 50, representing the number of correct answers. Many employers also look at percentile rankings, which compare your score to those of other test-takers. For example, a score in the 80th percentile means you performed better than 80% of other test-takers.

Different roles may require different minimum scores. For instance, Crossover often looks for candidates scoring above the 90th percentile for most positions, with some roles requiring scores in the 95th percentile or higher (40+ marks out of 50).

For a clearer view of the targets, see these CCAT score bands and cutoffs by role.

💡Youtube Playlist: Step-by-Step Guide to Crossover’s hiring process

Applying to Crossover for a job | Sharing my experience

How Companies Like Crossover Use CCAT

Crossover, known for its rigorous hiring process, uses the CCAT as a crucial step in evaluating candidates. Here’s how they typically incorporate it:

  1. Initial application screening
  2. CCAT assessment
  3. Further skills tests or assignments
  4. Interviews for top-performing candidates

The CCAT helps Crossover identify candidates who are likely to excel in their high-performance, remote work environment.

Tips for CCAT Preparation

  1. Familiarize yourself with the test format and question types
  2. Practice time management – 15 minutes for 50 questions is challenging
  3. Take CCAT practice tests to identify your strengths and weaknesses
  4. Focus on improving your weak areas through targeted practice
  5. Develop strategies for quick problem-solving and educated guessing
  6. Get plenty of rest before the test day

Remember, while you can improve your performance through practice, the CCAT is designed to measure your innate cognitive abilities. Consistent practice with quality CCAT practice exams can help you perform at your best.

Where to find CCAT Practice Tests?

In the last 4 years, 100+ people have asked me on LinkedIn on how to pass the CCAT, so a few months ago I decided to create a course on Udemy for CCAT Practice Tests. It has 4 mock CCAT tests that closely match what you can expect in the actual CCAT test. 

You can access that via this link : Criteria Cognitive Aptitude Test (CCAT) Practice Tests 2024. If you end up taking the course, I would appreciate it if you could drop your feedback on my LinkedIn if you find anything “off” in the course, so that I can correct/improve it for future learners (thank you! 🙂 ).

Conclusion

Understanding the CCAT is crucial for anyone applying to companies that use this cognitive aptitude assessment in their hiring process. By familiarizing yourself with the test structure, content, and scoring system, you can approach the CCAT with confidence. Remember, preparation is key – consider investing in comprehensive CCAT practice tests to maximize your chances of success.

Whether you’re applying to Crossover or another company using the CCAT, mastering this cognitive aptitude test can open doors to exciting career opportunities. Good luck with your preparation!

💡Youtube Playlist: Step-by-Step Guide to Landing Remote Jobs in 2024

How to Apply for Crossover Roles: Step-by-Step Guide

Table of Contents

Overview

In this post, I have tried to cover the different questions that I get regarding working with Crossover. After you have gone through this article, if you still have questions, please feel free to reach out to me on LinkedIn with your specific query and I’d be happy to answer it for you. However, please be sure to read this post completely and explore all the resources that have been mentioned in it.

Crossover Available Roles & Crossover Application Process

  1. Navigate to Crossover’s website [Navbar > Join Crossover > Current Openings], you’ll see the different roles that they’re hiring for at the moment.
  2. Go through the titles of the roles, see which ones fit your profile/skillset.
  3. Read the detailed Job Description, specifically the Candidate Requirements section.
  4. If you’re not fully sure that you are eligible for the role, apply for it anyway, as the very first step in your application is the Basic Fit test. It takes 10-20 seconds to fill and within 30 seconds it would let you know if you’re eligible to apply for the role or not.
  5. The next step is the Cognitive Aptitude Test (CCAT), coupled with a Spoken English Proficiency Test. (More details on the CCAT below).
  6. Other than that, there might be role specific tests , which shouldn’t take more than 30-60 minutes to complete. Note: You only have to complete these tests once and it would apply for all the other roles that you apply to.
    Note: An additional “Generative AI Assessment” has also recently been added – I will update the article to give tips for that in the coming weeks; for the time being, if you need raw unstructured advice on that, just ping me on LinkedIn.
  7. The next part is Real Work, which would test your domain knowledge. These tasks would be role specific; I’ve seen a minimum of one and a maximum of three real work assignments for different roles over time. Most of these are not timed (from what I’ve seen), and they give you a very nice, long description of what to expect in that particular assignment. So just read through that, see if you’d like/need to revise anything before attempting it, then go ahead and do the assignment.
  8. Once you clear the real work assignment(s), the hiring manager will review your complete profile and if you seem like a good fit, they’d invite you for an interview.
  9. If you’ve cleared all the previous steps on your own, the interview shouldn’t really be much of an issue for you. Just don’t do any major blunders and you should be fine.
  10. Clearing the interview gets you the offer, and before joining you have to re-take the CCAT test, only this time, it would be proctored. So, if you used a calculator, or cheated in any way previously, you’d basically have your offer rescinded.
  11. That’s all!
    Note: Once you apply for a role, these steps appear on the portal as well.

Criteria Cognitive Aptitude Test (CCAT Test)

The best way to crack the Crossover CCAT test is to practice. That’s the only way that works; you need to train your mind about the type of questions you can expect, learn some tricks to “save time” because the limiting factor in that test is time. I believe that if anyone had 60 minutes for the CCAT; they would for sure score 100% marks, because the questions themselves are not hard; it’s just that some of them are “time sinks” and you need some “tricks” or practice to quickly do them, or decide to “skip” them to have a shot at attempting all 50 questions in the given time.

In the last 4 years, 100+ people have asked me on LinkedIn on how to pass the CCAT, so a few months ago I decided to create a course on Udemy for CCAT Practice Tests. It has 5 mock CCAT tests that closely match what you can expect in the actual CCAT test. You can access that via this link : Criteria Cognitive Aptitude Test (CCAT) Practice Tests 2024. If you end up taking the course, I would appreciate it if you could drop your feedback on my LinkedIn if you find anything “off” in the course, so that I can correct/improve it for future learners (thank you! 🙂 ).

That said, besides the practice tests, here’s some key points:

  • You get 12 minutes (IIRC, or maybe 15 minutes – you will know in advance of course) to attempt 50 questions. From what I’ve noticed, this is the rough scale:
    • 4 stars > 35+ marks.
    • 5 stars > 40+ marks.
    • 6 stars > 45+ marks.
  • Each role would have a different requirement for the number of stars.
  • Mindfulness and focus really matters in this one. Best to do it on a day and time when you’re fully relaxed and haven’t done any other mind-numbing activity.
  • Question types include: Basic Mathematics, English & puzzles.
  • Be fast. Don’t think you know the answer straight away and it’d likely take you more than 30 seconds to get it? Make a guess move on. Try to attempt all 50 questions in the allotted time.
  • To add to the above point, questions are ordered randomly (not in increasing order of difficulty), so it’s very likely that if you’re only able to attempt 45 questions for instance, the last 5 questions might have been easy but you never got to them because you spent too much time on a hard question (hard = would take more than 30 seconds to solve).
  • Try to find some generic tips & tricks for ‘quick math questions’. Example: 12 is 20% of what number (x is y% of what number). You can solve that in your head quite quickly by doing x100/y | (12100)/20 = 60. This is just an example. Series, sequences, basic algebra, these are some of the topics that I remember being touched in this exam, so just do a quick 20-30 minutes revision of these.
  • TAKE the test. The best way to know which areas you need to improve on and what to expect on the test, is to take the test. They let you take it twice before blocking you for the next 3 or 6 months. Once you have taken the test, I’m sure you can pinpoint which areas you struggled in (took more time) and can look for online resources where you can practice similar questions.

I compiled a list of a few free resources for the CCAT Practice Tests here:

Top Free CCAT Practice Tests to Prepare Like a Pro (2025 Guide)

Crossover Work Environment:

  • Varies from team to team and company to company. But my general observation has been that as long as you’re doing quality work, you would be fine.
  • Your colleagues are going to be very very smart people (they went through the same challenging recruitment process that you did), so you always have to be delivering your best work to keep your performance levels high.
  • There is a lot of autonomy – little to no micromanagement. You get constructive feedback/coaching for areas where you can improve by your Manager, if and when needed, in an asynchronous manner.
  • Shift requirements can vary from team to team, or company to company.
  • You’re not bothered past your shift timings, for most roles that I know of at least.
  • If you’re on holidays, there are very low chances that you would be bothered at all. I personally never have been, IIC. Again, I obviously haven’t worked, or talked to people, in all the roles. But one thing that I have observed is that if you are requested to check in on a holiday, it would be for emergency cases only, where you are the only resource that is equipped to handle the situation.
  • Fully remote – no time wasted traveling.
  • Compensation is as advertised. If it says $50/hr on the portal, that’s exactly what you would be getting. Payment cycles are weekly, not monthly.
  • You’re expected to treat this as a full-time commitment (I’ve never seen Crossover advertise a part-time job) , minus any (un)planned holidays.

💡Youtube Playlist: Step-by-Step Guide to Landing Remote Jobs in 2024

Conclusion:

I’ve read some really bad reviews on Glassdoor, but did not really find them to be true for pretty much all the teams that I’ve had a chance to collaborate with, but of course, experiences can vary based on perceptions so feel free to ask other people directly (Plus, most of the reviews on Glassdoor I’d say are by people who basically never really cleared the recruitment round). Lastly, I’ve only covered the basics here, if you have any specific questions, drop them in the comments below or message me on LinkedIn. I’ll either include them in the article so that other people can benefit from them in the future, or see if I can schedule a meeting with you if it requires detailed guidance/can’t be covered properly over text.

P.S: Read the FAQs on their website, they cover a lot of common queries quite well.

I have also covered some other areas that you might have questions about. You can read about it here:

  1. What is a Good CCAT Score? Understanding Your Test Results
  2. CCAT Spatial Reasoning Mastery: Visual Strategies for the Hardest Question Types
  3. CCAT Test FAQ: Answers to Your Most Common AI Assistant Questions
  4. 7 Critical CCAT Time Management Techniques for Test Day Success
  5. 10 CCAT Mistakes That Are Killing Your Score (And How to Fix Them)
  6. CCAT Sample Questions & Strategies to Outsmart the Test (2025)

Read next

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