Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) Assessment Tests, Hiring Process & Interviews Online Preparation – 2024

What Is the Chicago Transit Authority?

The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) is the agency that operates mass transit in Chicago, Illinois. The company was founded in 1947 and now has 140 bus routes and eight rail routes that help transport nearly 1.5 million people around Chicago and the surrounding suburbs each day.

CTA’s mission is to cultivate a diverse workplace where employees are always:

• Courteous
• Innovative
• Motivated
• Professional
• Reliable
• Results-oriented

These values are at the heart of CTA’s work, and they are committed to fostering an environment where their employees can live up to these values.

Working at CTA

Employees at CTA work in one of the six main business areas:

• Maintenance
• Administration
• Infrastructure
• Technology
• Operations
• Law

They also enjoy generous health benefits that include medical, dental, and vision coverage as well as disability and life insurance.

There are many hiring initiatives that CTA offers to interest job seekers, including:

• Veterans program
• Second chance program
• Bus operators
• Internship programs
• Legal internship program
• One Summer Chicago high school internship program

What Is Chicago Transit Authority’s Recruitment Process?

CTA Online Application

No matter where you are in your career, the CTA hiring process begins with an online application. You can search for open positions on the CTA website and apply by the deadline. You will need to answer some basic pre-employment questions during this process, including experience and contact information. You will also have the chance to upload a resume and cover letter with your application.

Phone Interview

After a member of human resources reviews your application, they will invite you to complete an initial telephone interview. This conversation will consist mainly of clarifying questions about your application and experience. They may ask you to go into more detail about what you have submitted, so be sure to study your resume ahead of time.

This initial interview is also a great time to ask the assessor any questions you may have about the role you are applying for or CTA in general. However, it is essential to do your research on the company to show interest and initiative. Only ask questions that you cannot find the answer to on your own.

CTA Psychometric Tests

The next part of the recruitment process is the assessments. Many positions at CTA require various entrance exams that assess your cognitive abilities and aptitudes. Here are some tests that you may encounter:

• Verbal Reasoning Test: The verbal reasoning test assesses your ability to understand written language.
• Mathematical Test: The mathematical test will examine your ability to perform basic mathematical functions such as solving equations and interpreting graphs.
• Abstract and Figural Reasoning Test: This assessment is a non-verbal exam that will ask you to draw conclusions from a diagram or pattern.
• Mechanical Reasoning Test: This exam will test your knowledge of basic mechanical properties and concepts.
• Reading Comprehension Exam: The reading comprehension exam will provide paragraphs of information from which you must draw factual conclusions.
• Personality Test: The personality test will help CTA decide if you are a good cultural fit for the company and if your values align with theirs.
• Situational Judgment Test: The situational judgment test (SJT) will present you with a simulated workplace scenario, and you must respond with how you would react in the situation.
• Skill-Based Assessments: You may also encounter various skill-based assessments depending on the role, such as a Microsoft Excel test or a typing test.

Though not every candidate will encounter all of the tests mentioned above, it is good to practice them to prepare for all possibilities.

Final Interview

Candidates who do well on the assessments will get the opportunity to do an in-person interview. This interview will be more detailed than the initial phone screening and will ask behavior-based questions to understand how you act in work situations.

The interviewer may also ask technical questions and personality-related questions at this time.

Some applicants may also do multiple interviews. Be sure to prepare numerous examples and experiences to draw upon for responses, so you are not repeating the exact same answer to each assessor.

How to Prepare for the CTA Assessment?

CTA is looking for people who are motivated, results-oriented, and reliable. The best way to show the hiring team that you embody these qualities is to prepare for each stage of the hiring process.

Doing well on the various assessments is crucial to your success in the recruitment process. CTA administers numerous exams and uses these results to compare the different candidates and help decide which candidate is the best choice for the role.

To do your best on every exam, practice ahead of time. Great online resources are available, such as practice tests and exam tips, to help you study for the various reasoning tests, skills-based assessments, and personality tests that CTA gives their applicants.

Taking the time to prepare for these exams will increase your chances of doing well.