CCAT – Grade 2 – Level 8 Test Information

The Canadian Cognitive Abilities Test Grade 2 (also called Level 8) is used to test the learning aptitude of children in grade 2 or 8 years old. Candidate’s results are compared with children their age at the same school and to children from different districts.

Candidate are asked questions that relate to quantitative, nonverbal, and verbal skills. The quantitative and nonverbal sections of the test ensure the test is fair to students who are relatively weak in their use of language. However, you should be aware that questions in the CCAT Level 8 may seem unfamiliar to students making practice before the test very important.  The test measures a child’s learning aptitude is measured best by questions on unfamiliar topics.

Candidates of the CCAT level 8 test sit for 154 questions divided into 3 sections, verbal battery, quantitative battery, and nonverbal battery. The school a candidate goes to will determine whether the test will be taken in sections, or all the sections together. The test is taken in a group setting. The three main sections are further divided into three subsections. The subsections are designed to conduct a detailed analysis of the candidate’s abilities in the specified areas.

Verbal Battery

The verbal section of the Canadian Cognitive Abilities Test (CCAT) evaluates a student’s language-based reasoning and comprehension. Questions includes vocabulary, verbal analogies, sentence completion, and comprehension questions. Students are asked to demonstrate their understanding of word meanings, relationships between words, and the ability to follow and interpret written instructions or passages. The verbal section aims to measure a student’s linguistic aptitude, including their ability to process and understand language, which is crucial for academic success across various subjects.

Nonverbal Battery

The non-verbal component of the Canadian Cognitive Abilities Test (CCAT) assesses a student’s reasoning and problem-solving abilities through questions that do not rely on language skills. These questions measure cognitive processes equitably because they are independent of language and cultural.  Students are presented with visual stimuli like shapes, designs, and figures, and they must identify relationships, complete sequences, or solve puzzles.

This section includes questions such as pattern recognition, sequencing, spatial awareness, and abstract thinking as detailed below.

Figure Matrices

Here the candidates will be shown a set of shapes with a pattern or relationship. Test-takers are then given another shape with the same relationship as the first pair of shapes with an option in the multiple choices. Test-takers must determine the relationship by analyzing the first pair and select the option with the same relationship.

Quantitative Battery

The best tip for any test is – Start early and Practice!

Encourage your child not to skip questions that seem hard. Many candidates fall for the temptation to skip questions that seem difficult. Let your child answer these questions with an answer that comes to mind. After finishing the rest of the questions, they can come back and see if they had a different answer in mind.

Train your child on proper use of the extra rough papers provided. Many schools allow candidates to use rough paper during the test. If your child finds a question challenging, let them break it down in steps to handle it better. They can also note down ideas that can help them solve questions that come later in the test.

See our Complete Guide to Test Preparation