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Cognitive Ability Test, COTAN

Most cognitive ability tests are designed for highly-educated, Dutch-speaking candidates. Anyone outside that narrow norm scores lower. Not because they can do less, but because the test is built into one cultural and linguistic corner. That is a diversity issue that shows up in your hire statistics. The MCT-M from NOA-VU was designed differently. Eight subtests that measure intelligence with meaningless figures, number sequences and adapted instructions. For intermediate and pre-vocational education, fully available in five languages and partially in seven more. COTAN-reviewed. For recruiters running volumes in blue collar, healthcare, logistics or public sector, a different game.

Time

variable

Type

Cognitive ability test (IQ)

Form

Online assessment

Perfect for:
Volume hiring (blue collar, healthcare, logistics, retail, hospitality), Diverse and inclusive hiring, Reintegration programmes, Career guidance and educational counselling, Hiring non-Dutch-speaking candidates and refugees, Roles at intermediate vocational education level, Public sector and municipalities with diversity targets
Volume hiring (blue collar, healthcare, logistics, retail, hospitality), Diverse and inclusive hiring, Reintegration programmes, Career guidance and educational counselling, Hiring non-Dutch-speaking candidates and refugees, Roles at intermediate vocational education level, Public sector and municipalities with diversity targets
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Welten company logo with stylized pink and navy blue diagonal stripes.Quooker brand logo in red text.Home of HR logo with pink abstract shape above dark blue text.DPD logo with red 3D cube icon and lowercase black letters 'dpd'.Continu Professionals logo featuring blue stylized text and an abstract figure with an extended arm.Talent & pro logo with the tagline 'value in people'.Oxfam Novib logo with a green circle and stylized black figure inside.Graph illustrating the progression from an initial point to an advanced stage with steps labeled as launched and maturing, showing growth in capabilities.
Welten company logo with stylized pink and navy blue diagonal stripes.Quooker brand logo in red text.Home of HR logo with pink abstract shape above dark blue text.DPD logo with red 3D cube icon and lowercase black letters 'dpd'.Continu Professionals logo featuring blue stylized text and an abstract figure with an extended arm.Talent & pro logo with the tagline 'value in people'.Oxfam Novib logo with a green circle and stylized black figure inside.Graph illustrating the progression from an initial point to an advanced stage with steps labeled as launched and maturing, showing growth in capabilities.
Welten company logo with stylized pink and navy blue diagonal stripes.Quooker brand logo in red text.Home of HR logo with pink abstract shape above dark blue text.DPD logo with red 3D cube icon and lowercase black letters 'dpd'.Continu Professionals logo featuring blue stylized text and an abstract figure with an extended arm.Talent & pro logo with the tagline 'value in people'.Oxfam Novib logo with a green circle and stylized black figure inside.Graph illustrating the progression from an initial point to an advanced stage with steps labeled as launched and maturing, showing growth in capabilities.

3 Reasons we love this assessment

01
COTAN-reviewed
MCT-M is COTAN-reviewed, the Dutch quality benchmark from the Committee for Test Affairs Netherlands (NIP). For public sector, tenders and procurement criteria, often a hard requirement. With this test you meet that bar without compromising on accessibility for candidates with intermediate education.
02
Twelve languages, one test result
Fully available in Dutch, English, German, French and Spanish. Partially in Turkish, Chinese, Ukrainian, Russian, Arabic, Tigrinya and Farsi. For recruiters hiring among non-Dutch-speaking candidates, refugees or international labour migrants, a test option you won't find elsewhere.
03
Culturally fair design
During development, cultural dependencies were deliberately minimised. Many subtests use meaningless figures and number sequences instead of language-bound items. Instructions are clear and concrete. Diversity isn't built in via a quota, but through the structure of the test itself.
Technical Details
Developed by NOA-VU. Available exclusively as an online assessment via Selection Lab.
Explore

Information

Eight subtests, four factors

MCT-M consists of eight subtests that together measure four core abilities: logical reasoning and spatial insight, numerical abilities, verbal abilities and perceptual speed. You can administer a selection of subtests, tailored to the role. No mandatory full battery.

Languages and versions

Full test administration available in five languages, various subtests in seven more. For candidates with higher education, the MCT-H exists as a sister test within the same NOA-VU model, for consistent measurement across education levels within one organisation.

Practice beforehand, fairer result

Candidates can practice online beforehand with sample questions. That narrows the gap between candidates who already have experience with this kind of test and candidates who are seeing it for the first time. Equal starting positions, not equal results.

Norm groups for education level and background

Various representative norm groups compare the candidate to people at a similar education level (intermediate or pre-vocational) or with a similar migration background. With expert reports you get scores in both words and charts, with the measurement aim of each subtest explained.

Measurement
Objectives

The Big Five Personality Model assesses key personality traits that influence behavior and performance:

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Logical reasoning and spatial insight

Discovering connections between images and spatial orientation. Measured via three subtests: exclusion (logical thinking with images), components (combining shapes) and mirror images (flipping pictures).

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Numerical abilities

Arithmetic skill and the ability to reason with numbers. Measured via two subtests: arithmetic skill and number sequences (logical thinking with numbers).

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Verbal abilities

Knowing the meaning of Dutch words and seeing connections between words. Measured via two subtests: word relations (comparing words) and word analogies (logical thinking with words).

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Perceptual speed

Distinguishing differences quickly and accurately. Measured via the 'checking' subtest. For roles where error-free work under time pressure matters (administration, cashiering, production, quality control), an important predictor.

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