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.

Picture Classification

Test-takes are given pictures that have pattern. The test takers will be shown several other pictures as multiple-choice answers. Candidate must analyze the initial three pictures to determine the pattern, then select the same pattern from the multiple-choice options.

Picture Classification Practice

Sentence Completion

The examiner or proctor will read out a sentence with one missing word. Candidates must listen to determine what the sentence is trying to communicate, then select the best answer from the options given.
Sentence Completion Practice Questions

Picture Analogies

In this subsection, candidates will be presented with three pictures, with the first two carrying a particular relationship. The same relationship will be reflected on the third image. Candidates must determine the relationship, and apply it to the third picture, and select the matching image.

Picture analogies practice

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.

Figure classification

The students will be presented with three shapes. All the shapes are similar in some way, by form, color, or pattern. The candidate will then be shown a second line of shapes with no similarity. The students must select a shape from the second set with the same relationship.

Classification and Matching Practice

Paper Folding

In this subsection, candidates will observe a square paper being folded several times. After folding the paper, the candidate will be required to think about how the paper would appear if it went through the folding steps. They will select an option that shows how the paper would appear.

Folding Practice Questions

Number Analogies

Test takers will be issued with three pictures, with the first two pictures fitting together in some way. It is crucial to note that there will be more number analogies than picture analogies, as the pictures here will take a specific mathematical relationship. The third image will go match to one of the options in the answers. Candidates will need to tell the mathematical relationship that exists between the first two pictures, and apply the relationship to the second pair.

Number series

Candidates will have an example abacus toy, with bead on a rod. A mathematical rule will be followed by the beads which the candidates will have to solve. The candidates need to identify the rule and then complete pattern with the correct number of beads.

Number Puzzles

Candidates will be presented with several trains with objects on them, and the last train empty. The candidates must determine the mathematical rule of the objects on the trains to determine the number of objects on the last train.

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