Cognitive Ability Test guides
Every Cognitive Ability Test guide on one page, in the order you will need them.
- Next test
- 6 – 10 December 2026 Add the date to your calendar
- Questions and time
- 100 questions · 125 minutes
- Pass mark
- No pass mark; scores are used to compare applicants
- Exam fee
- SAR 200 (early registration), SAR 250 (late registration)
Start with 10 free questions to find what needs more work. No sign-up, with answer explanations.
Try 10 free questions and see your levelBefore you register
- Registering for the Cognitive Ability Test: Steps, Fees, Dates and IDHow to register on ETEC's e-services portal, the fees (SAR 200 early, SAR 250 late), paper versus computer-based testing, the 2026 dates, changing or deleting your booking, accepted ID, result validity and the number of attempts.Last updated:
- Who Needs the Cognitive Ability Test? Target Jobs and How Your Score Is UsedWho sits the Cognitive Ability Test (administrative jobs on the general scale, for appointment or promotion, except health and education jobs), which bodies use it, why there is no pass mark and how the score is used to compare applicants, preparation tips and how this site helps.Last updated:
While you study
- Cognitive Ability Test Content: The Four Abilities, Their Weights and Question TypesFormat of the Cognitive Ability Test (100 questions in 5 sections, 2 hours 5 minutes), the four abilities with their official definitions and weights (verbal 30%, quantitative 35%, reasoning 20%, spatial 15%), common question types in each, and study tips.Last updated:
- Cognitive Ability Test Study Plan: What to Study by Days LeftA Cognitive Ability Test study plan by time left: more than 30 days, about two weeks, the last week and the day before, with the four abilities ordered by weight, about 75 seconds per question without a calculator, and where many candidates lose marks.Last updated: