Cognitive Capacity Scale

The Cognitive Capacity (CC) Scale is a metric used by the T'vaqi government to determine a citizen's intelligence and ideal career path. Each T'vaqi citizen is administered a Cognitive Capacity test on their Examination Day once they reach legal adulthood.

Scores

The CC Scale is linear, with 0 as the lowest value and 40 as the highest. A higher score corresponds to a higher intelligence rating. CC Scores can be separated into five distinct groups, commonly referred to as Castes. Aside from its influence on a citizen's worthiness of employment, a citizen's Caste affects numerous other aspects of their life. It is generally frowned upon to marry outside of one's Caste.

A score of 10 or below indicates that the test-taker is mentally deficient or has not received a proper education during their childhood. The vast majority of individuals with scores in this range become miners due to a lack of available career paths, with the exception of those with exceptionally wealthy parents.
A score of 11 to 15 indicates a below-average intelligence. Individuals who receive a score in this range will experience difficulty finding employment.
A score of 16 to 24 indicates an average intelligence.
A score of 25 to 34 indicates an above-average intelligence. Individuals scoring in this range are eligible and expected to enroll in the T'vaqi High Institute of the Sciences or Arts.
A score of 35 or above indicates exceptional intelligence. Individuals scoring in this range are eligible to become Magisters, and will likely become influential and respected figures. Such scores are rare; an estimated 1 in 2,500 adults receive a score in this range.

History

The CC Scale was initially developed by T'vaqi mathematician Hrso Vinshasi in 243 TT. The first edition of the system was a 128-question test covering a variety of subjects, most commonly related to mathematics and general science. Modified signal puncher technology was developed by Vinshasi to store the test-taker's results and output a score. Vinshasi placed most of the exam's weight on the test-taker's answers, though also included the time it took to answer each question as a factor. Specific details regarding the current edition of the Cognitive Capacity Exam are only known to the Bureau of Academic Achievement, a Magister-run government group. It is generally known that the current exam consists of 16 sections, with most divided into subsections. It is rumored that the stress levels of the test-taker are monitored during the exam and included during the final scoring calculations. As it is illegal to share specific details^[1] of the exam to others, many claims regarding the nature of the test are difficult to definitively prove or disprove. The incorporation of the system into T'vaqi society was one of the last reforms of the Second Unification of T'vaqi, and coincided with a nationwide shift towards more rigorous education standards. The widespread adoption of the CC Scale placed additional importance on intelligence in modern T'vaqi society.

[1] Including (but not limited to) answers, the number of questions, testing locations, supplied testing materials, and the availability of water.