At Criteria, we’re committed to helping organizations make smarter, faster, and fairer hiring decisions. Today, we’re excited to introduce our latest innovation in cognitive aptitude testing - the Criteria Think Reason Solve (CTRS) assessment suite.
Designed to be fast, accessible, and scientifically rigorous, CTRS is set to redefine how employers measure the skills that matter most: critical thinking, problem-solving, and the ability to learn and adapt.
What is the Criteria Think Reason Solve Test?
CTRS is an adaptive assessment that measures cognitive aptitude using a streamlined, candidate-friendly approach. The modular nature of the CTRS test allows you to focus the assessment on the specific skills and abilities that are most important to your organization.
Whether you’re hiring for a technical role, a managerial position, or an entry-level job, cognitive aptitude remains one of the most reliable predictors of job success. The CTRS suite is built to deliver precise, actionable insights quickly and fairly so you can identify top talent with confidence.
Now Available: CTRS Express (CTRSE)
The first CTRS assessment available now is the CTRS Express. The adaptive design means the difficulty of each question adjusts based on the candidate’s responses, ensuring a more accurate and engaging experience for every applicant.

CTRSE is our fastest cognitive assessment yet, taking an average of five minutes to complete. It features 12 multiple-choice questions, each with a one-minute time limit, and is available in four languages: English (US), French (Canadian), Portuguese (Brazilian), and Spanish (Latin American).
What Does CTRSE Measure?
CTRSE provides a comprehensive measure of overall cognitive aptitude, drawing from a refreshed pool of validated questions. The assessment covers:
- Critical thinking
- Abstract reasoning
- Mathematical ability
These skills are essential for learning new information, solving problems, and making effective decisions on the job. Research consistently shows that cognitive aptitude tests like CTRS are 1.6 times as predictive as unstructured interviews and 4 times as predictive as experience alone when it comes to future job performance.
How Does CTRS Stand Out?
- Faster, Adaptive Testing: The adaptive algorithm pinpoints each candidate’s proficiency more efficiently, reducing test fatigue and improving accuracy.
- Accessibility First: CTRS is fully compatible with screen readers and can be taken on any device – mobile, tablet, or desktop. A screen-reader friendly toggle is available for candidates who require accommodations (currently available in English).
- Candidate-Friendly Design: Shorter test times and tailored question difficulty make for a more positive candidate experience.
- Robust Validation: Developed and validated by our team of I/O psychologists, CTRS draws on decades of research and real-world data to ensure reliability and fairness.
Reporting and Insights
After candidates complete the CTRSE, you’ll receive:
- A Candidate Summary Report: A high-level overview of results across all completed Criteria assessments.
- A Candidate Score Report: Detailed percentile rankings and performance insights, including how each candidate compares to established score ranges for a wide variety of roles—from accounting and engineering to sales and healthcare.
What’s Coming Next: CTRS and UCTRS
While CTRSE is available now, we’re already working on expanding the CTRS suite to offer even more flexibility:
- CTRS (Modular Version): This version will allow for greater customization, enabling you to tailor the assessment to measure the specific skills you need for your roles.
- UCTRS (Universal Version): The UCTRS is a language-independent version of the test, ideal for assessing international candidates or for candidates whose first language is not English.
We’ll be sharing more details about these upcoming versions soon, so stay tuned!
Ready to Try CTRSE?
The Criteria Think Reason Solve Express (CTRSE) is available now, offering a fast, flexible, and scientifically validated way to assess cognitive aptitude. We’re excited to help you discover your next great hire—smarter, faster, and fairer than ever before.
To learn more about CTRSE or to get started, reach out to your Criteria representative today. And keep an eye out for updates as we roll out the full CTRS and UCTRS versions soon!
Criteria Think Reason Solve: Fast. Modular. Accessible. The future of cognitive aptitude assessment is here.