PI Cognitive Assessment - Free Practice Test

The Predictive Index Cognitive Assessment is a pre-employment test, developed and administered by Predictive Index, that evaluates a candidate's cognitive abilities, particularly their potential to learn new information. Administered in 12 minutes (with 50 questions, averaging 15 seconds each), it's part of a broader assessment process that also includes the PI Behavioral Assessment based on 17 Personality Types to provide a more holistic view of a candidate's suitability for a role.

The PI Cognitive Assessment is comprised of 3 main topics placed in random order throughout the test:

1. Numerical Reasoning: These questions measure your ability to work with numbers, analyze data, and interpret mathematical information. The test often includes around 15 to 20 questions of this type.
2. Verbal Reasoning: These questions evaluate your language skills, particularly your ability to understand written text, make logical deductions, and assess the implications of statements. Expect around 15 to 20 questions under this category.
3. Abstract Reasoning: These questions assess your ability to identify patterns, make connections, and deduce relationships among various elements. This portion typically consists of 10 to 15 questions.

In the Predictive Index practice test below are 12 PI Cognitive Assessment sample questions and answers covering each topic separately and providing valuable tips along the way.

Check out our video, where we'll go over PI cognitive assessment questions, features, and preparation tips:

This section delves into your numerical aptitude, evaluating your proficiency in essential areas like basic arithmetic, recognizing patterns in numerical sequences, and tackling mathematical problems. Strong arithmetic skills, a solid understanding of mathematical principles, and the ability to identify patterns within numbers will be your key assets in navigating this assessment.

Numerical questions in the PI Cognitive Ability Assessment are mostly moderate in difficulty and with enough time – most examinees will answer a certain number of questions correctly. However, an average of 14 seconds per question – you must be able to answer questions quickly and accurately. Thorough practice in real-time, with additional focused practice and guides, are key to success in the test, and all can be found in our PI Cognitive PrepPack.

We will now move on to the next question type in the Predictive Index Cognitive Ability test: verbal questions. Similar to numerical questions, verbal questions vary in difficulty and are time-consuming, as can be seen in the following examples.

Verbal Reasoning questions will challenge your vocabulary, grammar, and reading comprehension. To excel, equip yourself with a strong arsenal of words, the ability to grasp diverse writing styles, and the critical thinking skills necessary to analyze and interpret textual information effectively.

Even when making an informed guess, logical reasoning questions in cognitive assessments ,nearly always require far more time to understand, assess, and respond. Therefore – you should save time on questions that can be answered faster, like analogies and synonyms, and use that time for questions that require more time like logical questions.

Lastly, the final questions in the PI Cognitive Assessment are the Abstract Reasoning questions. Often regarded as the most challenging and time-consuming in the test, they require special attention and the ability to recognize visual patterns, which vary and may be very challenging. Let’s continue.

These abstract reasoning questions don't rely on words or numbers but rather challenge you to identify patterns, relationships, and underlying rules using shapes and symbols. To conquer this section, you'll need strong spatial reasoning, sharp logical thinking, and the ability to spot patterns and connections within abstract data. It's like solving a visual puzzle with your reasoning skills as the key!

Next in series

Abstract Reasoning questions require, more than other subjects, practicing varied questions to become familiar with different patterns ahead of the test. Some questions may be simple, while others will be far more challenging and require the ability not only to identify the pattern but also to do so quickly enough, eliminating answers in the process to avoid wasting too much time on each question. 

You can find guides and hundreds of questions, both in full simulations and in focused practice, with detailed explanations, in our PI Cognitive PrepPack.

Need to also take a personality test? Check out our Caliper Personality, Hogan Assessment, Hogan Personality Inventory Test (HPI) or our Pre-Employment Personality Tests.

Or try out our free practice tests: Caliper Assessment, Hogan (HPI) Practice Test, or Gallup StrengthsFinder Test.

The PI Cognitive Assessment calculates your score based on the number of correct answers you provide and your percentile ranking, which make a raw score. The percentile ranking indicates how high your score is compared to the scores of a large pool of other candidates. The exact score you need to pass to the next stage of the hiring process is determined by the position you apply for.

On average, the PI Cognitive Assessment score is 20 out of 50 correct answers, which is equivalent to a scaled score of 250. A score of 40 out of 50 is considered very high and is higher than approximately 98% of all test takers.

Beyond a simple score, the PI Cognitive Assessment paints a rich picture of a candidate's cognitive abilities. It goes beyond raw numbers, offering percentile rankings and tailored score ranges, providing a nuanced understanding of what each individual brings to the table. This multifaceted insight empowers employers to make informed hiring decisions that perfectly match talent with organizational needs. It's not just about filling roles; it's about placing individuals in positions where they can truly thrive and excel.

Learn more about your PI Cognitive Assessment Score. 

The Predictive Index Assessment can be a daunting and highly competitive test, but with the right preparation, you can ace it! Here are some tips to help you study and practice:

1. Understand the Test Format: Familiarizing yourself with the test format will ensure you are confident and know exactly what to expect on test day. 
2. Practice Under Timed Conditions: Simulate the real test environment by accessing our PI Cognitive Assessment PrepPack. Our tailored practice includes relevant questions with a time constraint similar to the one you will face on the actual test, this way you can measure your progress and point out your weak spots. 
3. Revisit and Sharpen Your Skills: Make sure to strengthen your arithmetic, basic algebra, vocabulary, and critical analysis. These skills will be important to answer some of the test questions. Our PrepPack includes practice tests to improve your numerical and verbal skills.

JobTestPrep helps you through every step of the way with accurate sample questions and detailed explanations. Our comprehensive cognitive assessment practice PrepPack was tailored to ensure you are familiar with the test format, questions difficulty, and time constraints. Get the most accurate prep with our PI Cognitive Assessment Practice, which includes a PI Diagnostic test, 30+ practice tests for every section of the test, and various simulation tests that consist of 50 questions that must be solved in 12 minutes. 

A huge variety of cognitive ability tests are used in the hiring process of the job market's leading employers. the PI Cognitive Assessment for example is often used by Maersk to select candidates and predict their job performance. Other similar pre-employment cognitive ability tests are the CCAT, Wonderlic, or you can also visit our Cognitive Ability Practice Test page.

Companies using PI: Maersk | Ikea | DBS Bank | GIC | Nestle

Find more cognitive ability assessing tests on our comprehensive Free Aptitude Tests Page.