CCAT Grade 5 Level 11 Test Information

5th-grade students in Canada are required to sit for an approved aptitude test before they are enrolled in a gifted and talented program. The Canadian Cognitive Abilities 5th Grade Test is the most common for 5th graders take. The test is commonly referred to as CCAT Level 11, as candidates for the test are expected to be about 11 years of age.

The CCAT 5th Grade test assesses student’s cognitive abilities using three categories of assessments, or batteries. These are, the verbal, nonverbal, and quantitative battery. The test is structured to be fair to all as candidates with underdeveloped English skills can still score well on the test. The CCAT Level 11 test results are used as part of the admission criteria to special school programs such as the gifted and talented program.

Candidates for the CCAT Level 11 test will be required to answer 176 questions, as in the CCAT 4th Grade Test. Since 5th-grade students have developed better cognitive abilities, the questions in each section will be harder than the other test levels. Depending on the school’s requirements, the three sections may be administered in one sitting, or taken separately.

Verbal Classification
Test-takers are presented with three words in a group based on their pronunciation or definition. Test-takers must determine the similarity and select the fourth word from the choices.

Directions: In each of the following questions, select the choice that does not belong with the other three.

Classification Practice

Sentence Completion
Here, students are presented with a sentence that has a missing word. Candidates must fill in the blank with the appropriate word from the choices presented.  Sentence completion practice

Verbal Analogies
Test-takers are given a pair of words and a third word, which is missing its pair. Students need to identify the relationship in the first pair, and use the relationship identified to choose a word that completes the second pair.  Verbal Analogies Practice

Number Puzzles
Test-takers are given an equation with digits on either side of an equal sign. This equation will have one number missing to be true. To solve the equation, test-takers must select a number from the choices that will make the equation true. Number Puzzle Practice

Number Analogies
Test-takers are given two complete pairs of numbers with an extra number a missing its pair. The two pairs will follow a certain rule. Test-takers must determine the rule and use it to find a pair for the extra number.

Figure Classification
Here, three similar shapes are shown together. Students must identify a fourth shape that fits the group.

Paper Folding
A flat paper is shown with lines representing folds. Test-takers must visualize how the paper will appear when folded.

Folding Practice Questions

Figure Matrices
Several shapes are placed in a matrix with the last box empty. Test-takers must choose the shape that will fill the empty box based on the pattern of the initial shapes.

The CCAT level 11 result slip has three different scores that tell the general cognitive ability of each student. Each score is reached by summing up results from the quantitative, nonverbal, and verbal sections.

The Age Percentile Rank (APR) score ranks all candidates by age group. The Grade Percentile Rank (GPR) ranks students by grade. The Stanine (S) score shows every student’s learning aptitude on a score between 1 and 9 with 9 being the highest possible score, 5 being average, and 1 being the lowest.

1. Practice by balancing between simulated practice exams and real-life examples. Even though practice tests are the most appropriate tool for studying, working with real-life examples is an important learning process. For example, while organizing your laundry, ask your child to categorize the clothes depending on their color. This will familiarize them with real-life patterns they may face in the actual test.

2. Ask your child to think out loud during the practice sessions to understand what is going on in your child’s mind. Encourage your child to explain their thinking, so that you can understand and guide them.

Since candidates might find the CCAT Level 11 test intimidating, they are advised to start their preparations a few weeks before the scheduled test day. Allowing a child to have enough time to go through and familiarize themselves with the material will increase their chances of doing well in the test. Try to practice with your child regularly for a few hours as they have to learn gradually without feeling pressured or stressed. A general rule of thumb is to avoid waiting until the last minute to rush your child through the material.

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