Free Canadian CCAT-7 Sample Questions With Answers
These free Canadian CCAT-7 sample questions introduce verbal, quantitative, and nonverbal reasoning tasks associated with the Canadian Cognitive Abilities Test.
Each example includes an answer and explanation. The purpose is to help families understand broad reasoning formats, not to reproduce the secure assessment or predict an official score.
Before using any CCAT-specific material, check the preparation policy issued by your child’s school or school board.
Check your school’s policy before continuing:
Some school boards prohibit advance CCAT-7 preparation. The Toronto District School Board currently states that prior exposure, preparation, or practice can invalidate results in its Grade 3 universal-screening process. Where a school gives similar instructions, do not show your child the questions on this page before the assessment.
Optional TestPrep-Online preparation:
When your school permits practice, families can review TestPrep-Online Canadian CCAT preparation, TestPrep-Online CogAT practice packs and TestPrep-Online Family Membership. Confirm the assessment, grade or level, current pack contents, access terms, and school policy before purchasing.
What Do These CCAT Examples Cover?
CCAT-7 is commonly organized around three broad reasoning batteries.
| Battery | Information used | Skills demonstrated on this page |
|---|---|---|
| Verbal | Words and language | Classification, analogies, sentence completion, and verbal relationships |
| Quantitative | Numbers and mathematical symbols | Number series, number analogies, and number puzzles |
| Nonverbal | Shapes and figures | Figure classification, matrices, rotation, reflection, and paper folding |
The official question types and level of difficulty depend on:
- the CCAT level;
- the student’s grade;
- the test form;
- school-board procedures;
- administration conditions;
- approved accommodations.
The questions below are not calibrated to official CCAT levels.
How Should Parents Use This Page?
Use these questions only when the school permits familiarisation.
A calm approach is to:
- choose one reasoning battery;
- allow your child to answer independently;
- ask them to explain the relationship or rule;
- review the answer together;
- discuss why the other options do not fit;
- stop before the child becomes tired or frustrated.
Do not calculate an unofficial CCAT score from this page.
These examples cannot produce:
- a raw CCAT score;
- an age percentile;
- a grade percentile;
- a stanine;
- a composite score;
- a cognitive-abilities profile;
- a gifted-screening decision.
Parent note:
The objective is not to teach your child to memorize sample answers. It is to discuss how categories, relationships, number rules, and visual patterns can be identified.
Verbal Reasoning Sample Questions
The Verbal Battery uses language to assess relationships between words and ideas.
Performance may be influenced by:
- vocabulary;
- reading experience;
- English-language proficiency;
- familiarity with the words used;
- understanding of the instructions.
A lower result on a verbal task does not automatically indicate weaker general reasoning.
Verbal Classification Questions
Verbal Classification questions present several words that belong to the same group. The student must select another word that follows the same classification.
Verbal Question 1
Choose the word that belongs with the first three words.
Apple - Banana - Orange
A. Carrot
B. Grape
C. Bread
D. Milk
E. Plate
The correct answer is B - Grape.
Apple, banana, orange, and grape are all fruits.
Carrot is also food, but it belongs to a different category. The correct classification must be specific enough to distinguish the intended group.
Verbal Question 2
Choose the word that belongs with the first three words.
Violin - Guitar - Cello
A. Drum
B. Harp
C. Flute
D. Trumpet
E. Song
The correct answer is B - Harp.
A violin, guitar, cello, and harp are all stringed instruments.
The other instruments belong to percussion or wind-instrument families.
Verbal Question 3
Choose the word that belongs with the first three words.
Whisper - Murmur - Mutter
A. Shout
B. Yell
C. Speak
D. Mumble
E. Sing
The correct answer is D - Mumble.
Whisper, murmur, mutter, and mumble can all describe speaking quietly or indistinctly.
Speak is too broad because it does not communicate the same specific manner of speaking.
Verbal Question 4
Choose the word that belongs with the first three words.
Copper - Silver - Gold
A. Glass
B. Iron
C. Wood
D. Plastic
E. Stone
The correct answer is B - Iron.
Copper, silver, gold, and iron are metals.
The student must identify the shared category rather than choose an object merely associated with the words.
Verbal Analogy Questions
A verbal analogy presents a relationship between two words. The same relationship must then be applied to another word.
A useful strategy is to complete this sentence:
The first word is related to the second because…
The same explanation should work for the second pair.
Verbal Question 5
Complete the analogy.
Bird is to nest as bee is to ___ .
A. Flower
B. Hive
C. Honey
D. Wing
E. Buzz
The correct answer is B - Hive.
A bird lives in a nest, and a bee lives in a hive.
The relationship is animal to home.
Verbal Question 6
Complete the analogy.
Book is to reading as fork is to ___ .
A. Cooking
B. Eating
C. Kitchen
D. Plate
E. Food
The correct answer is B - Eating.
A book is used for reading, and a fork is used for eating.
The relationship is object to its usual function.
Verbal Question 7
Complete the analogy.
Puppy is to dog as kitten is to ___ .
A. Cat
B. Cub
C. Rabbit
D. Animal
E. Fur
The correct answer is A - Cat.
A puppy is a young dog, and a kitten is a young cat.
The relationship is young animal to adult animal.
Verbal Question 8
Complete the analogy.
Minute is to hour as centimetre is to ___ .
A. Distance
B. Ruler
C. Metre
D. Millimetre
E. Length
The correct answer is C - Metre.
A minute is a smaller unit within an hour. A centimetre is a smaller unit within a metre.
The relationship is smaller unit to larger unit of the same type.
Sentence Completion Questions
Sentence Completion questions require the student to choose the word that makes the sentence logical and grammatically complete.
Verbal Question 9
Choose the word that best completes the sentence.
The glass vase was very ___, so Mia carried it carefully.
A. Heavy
B. Fragile
C. Colourful
D. Empty
E. Round
The correct answer is B - Fragile.
The clue is that Mia carried the vase carefully.
Fragile means easily damaged or broken.
Verbal Question 10
Choose the word that best completes the sentence.
Although the path was steep, the hikers were ___ to reach the top.
A. Determined
B. Asleep
C. Careless
D. Invisible
E. Broken
The correct answer is A - Determined.
The word although introduces a contrast. The path was difficult, but the hikers still intended to reach the top.
Verbal Question 11
Choose the word that best completes the sentence.
The librarian asked the students to speak ___ so that other people could continue reading.
A. Quickly
B. Quietly
C. Angrily
D. Outside
E. Eventually
The correct answer is B - Quietly.
A library is a place where people need a relatively quiet environment for reading.
The answer must fit both the meaning and grammar of the sentence.
How Should Students Approach Verbal Questions?
Encourage your child to:
- identify the exact category;
- explain the relationship in words;
- use the complete sentence for context;
- distinguish a category name from a category member;
- reject options that are only loosely associated;
- check that the same relationship works in both parts of an analogy.
For students learning English, allow time to discuss unfamiliar vocabulary separately from the reasoning task.
Quantitative Reasoning Sample Questions
The Quantitative Battery assesses relationships between numbers.
It is not simply a test of memorized arithmetic. Students may need to identify a rule and apply it consistently.
Common broad formats include:
- Number Series;
- Number Analogies;
- Number Puzzles.
Number Series Questions
Number Series questions present a sequence with a missing or next value.
Students can check:
- differences between consecutive numbers;
- multiplication or division;
- alternating rules;
- increasing differences;
- interwoven sequences.
Quantitative Question 1
What number comes next?
3, 6, 9, 12, ___
A. 13
B. 14
C. 15
D. 18
E. 21
The correct answer is C - 15.
The sequence increases by 3:
- 3 + 3 = 6
- 6 + 3 = 9
- 9 + 3 = 12
- 12 + 3 = 15
Quantitative Question 2
What number comes next?
2, 4, 8, 16, ___
A. 20
B. 24
C. 28
D. 32
E. 36
The correct answer is D - 32.
Each number is multiplied by 2:
- 2 × 2 = 4
- 4 × 2 = 8
- 8 × 2 = 16
- 16 × 2 = 32
Quantitative Question 3
What number comes next?
20, 18, 15, 11, ___
A. 5
B. 6
C. 7
D. 8
E. 9
The correct answer is B - 6.
The amount subtracted increases by 1:
- 20 − 2 = 18
- 18 − 3 = 15
- 15 − 4 = 11
- 11 − 5 = 6
Quantitative Question 4
What number comes next?
5, 10, 8, 16, 14, 28, ___
A. 24
B. 25
C. 26
D. 30
E. 56
The correct answer is C - 26.
The operations alternate:
- multiply by 2;
- subtract 2.
This gives:
- 5 × 2 = 10
- 10 − 2 = 8
- 8 × 2 = 16
- 16 − 2 = 14
- 14 × 2 = 28
- 28 − 2 = 26
Number Analogy Questions
Number Analogies present completed number relationships followed by an incomplete relationship.
The same rule must apply to every pair.
Quantitative Question 5
Find the missing number.
4 → 8 6 → 12 9 → ?
A. 15
B. 16
C. 18
D. 20
E. 27
The correct answer is C - 18.
Each number is multiplied by 2:
- 4 × 2 = 8
- 6 × 2 = 12
- 9 × 2 = 18
Quantitative Question 6
Find the missing number.
5 → 25 7 → 49 8 → ?
A. 16
B. 32
C. 56
D. 64
E. 81
The correct answer is D - 64.
Each number is multiplied by itself:
- 5 × 5 = 25
- 7 × 7 = 49
- 8 × 8 = 64
Quantitative Question 7
Find the missing number.
12 → 7 18 → 13 24 → ?
A. 17
B. 18
C. 19
D. 20
E. 29
The correct answer is C - 19.
Subtract 5 from each starting number:
- 12 − 5 = 7
- 18 − 5 = 13
- 24 − 5 = 19
Quantitative Question 8
Find the missing number.
3 → 11 5 → 17 7 → ?
A. 19
B. 21
C. 23
D. 25
E. 28
The correct answer is C - 23.
Multiply the starting number by 3, then add 2:
- 3 × 3 + 2 = 11
- 5 × 3 + 2 = 17
- 7 × 3 + 2 = 23
When one operation does not fit, test a consistent two-step rule.
Number Puzzle Questions
Number Puzzles require students to determine an unknown value from the relationships shown.
Quantitative Question 9
Find the missing number.
[ 6 + 4 = 10 ]
[ 8 + 5 = 13 ]
[ 9 + 7 = ? ]
A. 14
B. 15
C. 16
D. 17
E. 18
The correct answer is C - 16.
The rule is ordinary addition:
[ 9 + 7 = 16 ]
Students should test the simplest rule before assuming that the puzzle requires a more complicated operation.
Quantitative Question 10
Find the missing number.
[ 3 + 4 = 14 ]
[ 5 + 2 = 14 ]
[ 6 + 3 = ? ]
A. 9
B. 15
C. 18
D. 21
E. 27
The correct answer is C - 18.
Multiply the two numbers:
- 3 × 4 = 12
- 5 × 2 = 10
These products do not produce 14, so multiplication alone is not the rule.
Instead, add the two numbers and then multiply by 2:
- ((3 + 4) × 2 = 14)
- ((5 + 2) × 2 = 14)
- ((6 + 3) × 2 = 18)
The same two-step rule works for every example.
Quantitative Question 11
Which number makes the equation true?
[ 7 + \Box = 19 ]
A. 10
B. 11
C. 12
D. 13
E. 26
The correct answer is C - 12.
Subtract 7 from 19:
[ 19 - 7 = 12 ]
Check:
[ 7 + 12 = 19 ]
How Should Students Approach Quantitative Questions?
Encourage your child to:
- test simple addition and subtraction first;
- compare differences between consecutive terms;
- check multiplication and division;
- look for alternating operations;
- apply the rule to every completed example;
- write intermediate calculations;
- reject a rule that works for only one pair.
Speed should come after understanding.
Nonverbal Reasoning Sample Questions
The Nonverbal Battery uses shapes, figures, and spatial relationships.
These tasks may involve:
- classification;
- matrices;
- rotation;
- reflection;
- paper folding;
- changes in position, shading, or number.
The text-based examples below explain the reasoning without attempting to reproduce secure visual content.
Figure Classification Questions
Figure Classification questions present several figures sharing a rule. The student selects another figure that belongs to the same group.
Nonverbal Question 1
Three figures share the same rule:
- a black triangle;
- a black square;
- a black circle.
Which figure belongs with them?
A. White triangle
B. Black star
C. Striped square
D. Grey circle
E. White star
The correct answer is B - Black star.
Every figure in the original group is black.
The shape changes, but the shading remains the same.
Nonverbal Question 2
Three figures share the same rule:
- a triangle containing three dots;
- a square containing three dots;
- a circle containing three dots.
Which figure belongs with them?
A. A star containing two dots
B. A star containing three dots
C. A triangle containing four dots
D. A square containing no dots
E. A circle containing one dot
The correct answer is B - A star containing three dots.
The shared rule is that every figure contains exactly three dots.
The outer shape is allowed to change.
Nonverbal Question 3
Three figures share the same rule:
- a triangle divided into two equal parts;
- a square divided into two equal parts;
- a circle divided into two equal parts.
Which figure belongs with them?
A. A star divided into two equal parts
B. A star divided into three unequal parts
C. A solid black star
D. A triangle with one dot
E. An undivided circle
The correct answer is A.
Every original figure is divided into two equal sections.
The answer must preserve both the number and equality of the sections.
Figure Matrix Questions
Figure Matrix questions show a transformation. The student must apply the same transformation to another figure.
Nonverbal Question 4
Look at the relationship:
Small circle → Large circle
Apply the same relationship:
Small square → ?
A. Small circle
B. Large circle
C. Small square
D. Large square
E. Large triangle
The correct answer is D - Large square.
The transformation changes the size while keeping the shape the same.
A small square therefore becomes a large square.
Nonverbal Question 5
Look at the relationship:
White triangle → Black triangle
Apply the same relationship:
White circle → ?
A. White circle
B. Black circle
C. Black square
D. White triangle
E. Grey circle
The correct answer is B - Black circle.
The transformation changes white to black while preserving the shape.
Nonverbal Question 6
Look at the relationship:
Arrow pointing up → Arrow pointing right
Apply the same relationship:
Arrow pointing left → ?
A. Up
B. Down
C. Left
D. Right
E. No arrow
The correct answer is A - Up.
The first arrow rotates one quarter-turn clockwise.
Applying the same clockwise rotation to an arrow pointing left makes it point up.
Nonverbal Question 7
Look at the relationship:
One black dot → Two black dots
Apply the same relationship:
Three black dots → ?
A. One black dot
B. Two black dots
C. Three black dots
D. Four black dots
E. Three white dots
The correct answer is D - Four black dots.
The transformation adds one black dot while preserving the colour.
Rotation and Reflection Questions
Nonverbal Question 8
An arrow points up. It rotates one quarter-turn clockwise.
Which direction does it point?
A. Up
B. Down
C. Left
D. Right
E. It disappears
The correct answer is D - Right.
A quarter-turn clockwise from up points to the right.
Nonverbal Question 9
An arrow points right. It is reflected across a vertical mirror line.
Which direction does the reflected arrow point?
A. Up
B. Down
C. Left
D. Right
E. It becomes a circle
The correct answer is C - Left.
A vertical reflection reverses left and right.
The arrow therefore points in the opposite horizontal direction.
Nonverbal Question 10
A triangle has a black dot in its top-left corner. The triangle rotates half a turn.
Where will the dot appear?
A. Top left
B. Top right
C. Bottom left
D. Bottom right
E. In the centre
The correct answer is D - Bottom right.
A half-turn is a rotation of 180 degrees.
The top-left corner moves to the bottom-right position.
Paper-Folding Questions
Paper-folding tasks require the student to imagine the result after folded paper is unfolded.
A useful method is to reverse one fold at a time.
Nonverbal Question 11
A square piece of paper is folded once from left to right. One hole is punched through the folded paper.
How many holes will appear when the paper is completely unfolded?
A. 1
B. 2
C. 3
D. 4
E. 8
The correct answer is B - 2.
One fold creates two layers.
The punch therefore appears in two mirrored positions after the paper is unfolded.
Nonverbal Question 12
A square piece of paper is folded in half from left to right and then folded in half from top to bottom. One hole is punched through the folded paper.
How many holes will generally appear after both folds are completely reversed?
A. 1
B. 2
C. 3
D. 4
E. 8
The correct answer is D - 4.
The first fold doubles the number of layers from one to two. The second fold doubles them again from two to four.
One punch therefore creates four mirrored positions, provided the hole is not placed directly on a fold line.
Nonverbal Question 13
A sheet is folded once along a vertical line. A hole is punched one centimetre from the fold.
After the sheet is unfolded, where will the second hole appear?
A. On the same side as the first hole
B. One centimetre from the fold on the opposite side
C. At the centre of the sheet
D. Two centimetres above the first hole
E. In a random position
The correct answer is B.
When the fold is reversed, the hole is reflected across the fold line.
Its distance from the fold remains the same.
How Should Students Approach Nonverbal Questions?
Encourage your child to compare one feature at a time:
- shape;
- size;
- number;
- shading;
- direction;
- position;
- rotation;
- reflection;
- relationship between inner and outer elements.
For a matrix, ask:
- What changed?
- What stayed the same?
- Did more than one feature change?
- Does the same transformation fit the second pair?
For paper folding:
- begin with the final folded shape;
- undo the most recent fold;
- mirror every existing mark;
- undo the previous fold;
- continue until the paper is fully open.
Should These Questions Be Timed?
When the school permits practice, families can review TestPrep-Online Canadian CCAT preparation or compare options with TestPrep-Online CogAT practice packs. Confirm the grade or level, current pack contents, access terms, and school policy before purchasing.
Begin without a strict time limit.
The first objective should be to understand:
- the instructions;
- the relationship;
- the appropriate reasoning method;
- why an answer fits.
Where the school permits preparation, a short timed activity may later help a student practise working steadily.
Do not introduce timed CCAT practice when the school prohibits advance familiarisation.
How Should Parents Review an Incorrect Answer?
Ask your child:
- What did the question ask?
- Which feature or relationship did you notice?
- Why did you choose that answer?
- Which clue did you miss?
- Which other options can be eliminated?
- What would you check first next time?
Try to identify whether the difficulty involved:
- unfamiliar vocabulary;
- misunderstanding the instructions;
- calculation;
- overlooking a visual feature;
- rotation or reflection;
- rushing;
- an unfamiliar question format.
Avoid describing one incorrect response as evidence that your child lacks ability in an entire reasoning area.
Can These Questions Predict a Gifted-Screening Result?
No.
These independently created examples are not standardized and cannot predict:
- an official CCAT percentile;
- a stanine;
- a composite score;
- referral to an individual assessment;
- gifted identification;
- programme placement.
School-board decisions may also involve:
- other assessments;
- classroom evidence;
- teacher information;
- individual psychological testing;
- local identification procedures.
For example, York Region District School Board currently uses CCAT as the first stage of a multi-stage Grade 3 screening process. Students who meet the first-stage criterion may proceed to a separate individual cognitive assessment.
The later intellectual-assessment criterion should not be treated as a universal CCAT passing score.
What If the School Prohibits CCAT Practice?
Stop using CCAT-specific questions.
Parents can still support their child by:
- maintaining a normal sleep routine;
- providing an appropriate meal;
- keeping discussion calm;
- explaining that some questions may feel difficult;
- encouraging careful listening;
- avoiding pressure about gifted identification;
- following the school’s instructions.
General learning activities such as reading, puzzles, conversation, mathematics, and play can continue normally.
The distinction is between ordinary educational development and targeted advance exposure to a screening assessment.
When Might Structured Practice Be Appropriate?
A structured preparation resource should be considered only when:
- the school expressly permits familiarisation;
- the correct grade or level has been confirmed;
- your child needs help understanding unfamiliar reasoning formats;
- the practice can remain calm and age-appropriate;
- the provider’s current contents and terms have been checked.
Before purchasing, confirm:
- the school’s preparation policy;
- the exact CCAT level;
- the grade covered;
- the batteries included;
- the current question types;
- the access period;
- the provider’s current terms.
Structured CCAT practice when permitted:
Families whose school allows advance familiarisation can review the current TestPrep-Online Canadian CCAT preparation options. Confirm the school policy and correct level before purchasing.
Practice cannot guarantee a percentile, stanine, referral, gifted identification, placement, or other educational outcome.
Grade-Specific Practice Links
These links are provided only for families whose school permits CCAT preparation.
| Student grade | Practice option |
|---|---|
| Kindergarten | CCAT Kindergarten practice |
| Grade 1 | CCAT Grade 1 practice |
| Grade 2 | CCAT Grade 2 practice |
| Grade 3 | CCAT Grade 3 practice |
| Grade 4 | CCAT Grade 4 practice |
| Grade 5 | CCAT Grade 5 practice |
| Grade 6 | CCAT Grade 6 practice |
External pack contents, prices, and access periods may change.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are these official Canadian CCAT questions?
No. They were independently created by Tests.School and are not copied from, published by, or approved by Nelson.
What is CCAT-7?
CCAT-7 is the seventh edition of the Canadian Cognitive Abilities Test.
Which reasoning batteries does CCAT assess?
CCAT-7 assesses Verbal, Quantitative, and Nonverbal reasoning.
Is this the same as the employment CCAT?
No. The school-based Canadian Cognitive Abilities Test is unrelated to the Criteria Cognitive Aptitude Test used during recruitment.
Are these questions organized by official CCAT levels?
No. They demonstrate broad reasoning formats and are not calibrated to an official grade, level, percentile, or difficulty scale.
Can these questions produce a CCAT score?
No. Only a valid official administration can produce an official CCAT score and report.
Should my child practise for CCAT-7?
Check the school’s policy first. Some school boards expressly prohibit advance preparation and may treat prior exposure as invalidating the screening result.
Does TDSB allow CCAT practice?
TDSB currently states that no advance CCAT-7 preparation or practice is permitted as part of its universal-screening process.
Does a difficult question mean that my child is performing poorly?
No. Reasoning assessments include challenging tasks. One difficult question does not determine the student’s overall profile.
Does a high unofficial score guarantee gifted identification?
No. These questions are not standardized, and school boards may use multi-stage identification procedures.
Should the questions be timed?
Begin without timing. Where preparation is permitted, timing can be introduced gradually after the format is understood.
Can CCAT diagnose a learning disability?
No. CCAT may contribute to an educational profile, but it cannot independently diagnose a learning or developmental condition.
Where can I learn about CCAT scores?
Read our complete Canadian CCAT-7 guide for explanations of percentiles, stanines, composites, battery profiles, and gifted-screening procedures.
Canadian CCAT guides
Read the Canadian CCAT guide and CCAT sample questions. Compare CAT4, gifted test comparison and MAP Growth if your school uses more than one screening test. Do not confuse this school CCAT with the employment test — see the Criteria Cognitive Aptitude Test guide. When permitted, review TestPrep-Online Canadian CCAT preparation, TestPrep-Online CogAT practice packs and TestPrep-Online Family Membership.
Related School Assessment Guides
- Read the complete Canadian CCAT-7 guide
- Explore the CAT4 test guide
- Try free CAT4 sample questions
- Understand NWEA MAP Growth
- Read about Renaissance Star Assessments
- Understand i-Ready Inform
Tests.School is an independent educational website. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or part of Nelson, TDSB, YRDSB, or another Canadian school board. Assessment content, screening procedures, preparation policies, criteria, and school practices may change. Always follow the current instructions supplied by your child’s school and the official assessment provider.