The PI Cognitive Assessment is a challenging speed test that uses a variety of 9 question types and randomly selects questions out of a pool to maintain a very high level of cognitive challenge.
However, by knowing this test’s unique scoring method inside out, there is a very solid technique that could give you 40% more time to solve the test.
This detailed guide will show you exactly how, with a full-length PI practice test , a drill-down into the score you need , so to finally unpack the 40% Extra Time Technique.
Have a question on the PI Cognitive Assessment? Contact Us!
Shlomik Silbiger
Test geek and founder of Aptitude-Test-Prep.com
The Predictive Index (PI) cognitive assessment is a pre-employment cognitive ability test, designed to measure a candidate’s ability to acquire new knowledge. The test will always be accompanied by the PI Behavioral Assessment.
Similar to many other cognitive ability tests, the main challenge of the PI Cognitive Assessment is the short time span given to solve questions – 50 questions in 12 minutes, an average of 15 seconds per question.
However, using the solid 40% Extra Time Technique, that number can reach around 25 seconds.
In the Free Practice section, you will find a full-length PI mock test. Combine it with the PI Scoring Guide in the Scoring section to know how you compare with your required PI Job Target Score.
Finally, learn how to GET that score in the Preparation section.
The PI Cognitive Assessment (PICA) is a standard multiple-choice test that contains 9 question types over 3 categories:
Question topics and types will constantly change in order to assess your ability to “shift” your mindset, a common feature in cognitive ability tests that is also used in the classic Thurstone Test.
Here is a brief overview of all 9 PI question types, including one sample question for each.
All sample questions below were taken from the Free Practice. Answers and explanations are given in the Answers section.
A sequence of numbers following a mathematical pattern. You are required to choose the right number to complete the pattern.
Show Sample QuestionWhat is the next number in the sequence below?
This type of question is unique to the PI test. You need to choose the number that has the lowest value out of 4 options.
Show Sample QuestionWhich number has the lowest value?
Simple word problems covering basic math operations, averages, and percentages.
Show Sample QuestionFour students have an average score of 86. A fifth student joined the class with a score of 96. What will be the new average?
You are given a pair of shapes that have a certain relationship. You need to choose the shape that follows the same relationship with a third shape.
Show Sample Question
You are presented with a sequence of shapes. These shapes follow a certain pattern leading from one shape to the next. You need to choose the shape that correctly continues the pattern.
Show Sample Question
You are presented with two shapes sharing a common feature. You then need to choose the shape that does not share the same feature out of 4 given options.
Show Sample Question
Abstract reasoning questions are often the type of questions where practice can make the biggest impact on your score. We recommend JobTestPrep’s excellent PI prep course to come prepared for the challenge. Read more in the Preparation section.
You will need to find the word whose meaning is the opposite of a given word.
Show Sample QuestionWhich of the following is the opposite word of ‘complex?
You are given a pair of words that have a certain relationship. You need to choose the word that follows the same relationship with a third word.
Show Sample QuestionWind is to air as stream is to
You are presented with several assumptions you should regard as true. Based on these assumptions, you should decide whether a given conclusion is correct, incorrect, or that it cannot be determined based on the given information.
Show Sample QuestionIf the assumptions are true, is the conclusion:
Note that the name “Professional Learning Indicator (PLI) is an older name of the current PICA, and they both refer to the same test.
PI Cognitive Assessment Test Preparation
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One of the unique features of the PI Cognitive test is the question selection mechanism. Questions are randomly selected from a pool of 315 items, around 30-50 for each question type.
That method is known as LOFT (linear-on-the-fly testing).
LOFT method helps PI create tests that are, on one hand, equal in difficulty for all test-takers, and on the other hand, give each candidate a unique test version.
However, while the number of combinations is virtually infinite, the number of ITEMS is not that big.
30-50 questions per topic is definitely something you can cover in several days of practice, and while you may not improve in solving ALL possible questions that may come up, you certainly can get closer.
Your journey with the PI test starts with your test invitation, that looks something like this:
After you follow the link you enter PI’s testing website, where you will read the instructions and solve a few sample questions (only 3 of the 9 types).
Before the actual assessment, you will be shown several basic instructions by PI:
Once you are done with the instructions and samples, you will take the assessment.
Generally, this is how your PI test screen is going to look like:
Full Disclosure: We are affiliated with JobTestPrep. Clicking the links helps us provide you with high-quality, ad-free content.
This free practice test is an authentic PI Cognitive Assessment mock test. It contains 50 questions covering all 9 PI question types.
Timing is crucial, so set a timer for 12 minutes and STOP when the time is up. You may use the printable PDF answer sheet and answer key.
All answers and explanations can be found in the Answers section.
Once completing the test, you will be able to know how you compare with your PI Job Target Score through the PI Scoring Guide in the Scoring section.
Some Type D clocks are not valuable.
If the assumptions are true, is the conclusion:
Which number has the lowest value?
Jam is to jar as salt to
Which of the following is the opposite of the word “hard-working”?
What is the next number in the sequence below?
You have 6,000 products in your warehouse. You must deliver 20% of them in four days. If you plan to deliver the same number of products every day, how many products will you send per day?
If the assumptions are true, is the conclusion:
What is the next number in the sequence below?
87 tasks have been assigned to you and your team. On Monday, you completed 13 tasks. On Tuesday you completed 22 tasks. On Wednesday you completed 18 tasks, and on Thursday you completed 25 tasks. Today is Friday morning. How many tasks remain?
Which of the following numbers has the lowest value?
Which of the following is the opposite of the word “definite”?
Weak is to power as despaired is to
What is the next number in the sequence below?
Which of the following is the opposite of the word ‘reckless’?
What is the next number in the sequence below?
Author is to book as composer is to
Which number has the lowest value?
If the assumptions are true, is the conclusion:
If 20 plates cost as much as 30 cups, how many cups could you buy for the price of 14 plates?
If the assumptions are true, is the conclusion:
What is the next number in the sequence below?
Which of the following is the opposite of the word “pricey”?
If 6 cars take 15 days to make, how many days does it take to make 8 cars?
You are a member of a QA team of 12 members. Each quality assurance test takes approximately 15 minutes for any team member to complete. The team is missing 4 members. If you have 640 tests to perform, how many hours will each team member work?
Word is to letter as sentence is to
Andy has 12 marbles more than Bob. Bob has 6 marbles more than Chris. Andy has 36 marbles. How many marbles does Chris have?
Which of the following is the opposite word of ‘gentleman?
If the assumptions are true, is the conclusion:
Which number has the lowest value?
Wine is to grapes as flour is to
What is the next number in the sequence below?
Wind is to air as stream is to
What is the next number in the sequence below?
Which of the following is the opposite word of ‘complex?
Which number has the lowest value?
Four students have an average score of 86. A fifth student joined the class with a score of 96. What will be the new average?
This guide is going to give you a step-by-step process to:
We hope to give you a realistic image on what type of preparation you need, if any.
The 5 steps are:
Before you even start the assessment, the employer defines a Cognitive Job Target – namely, a cognitive PI score required for the job. That is a number on a PI internal scale of 100-450.
The following table presents the predefined Job Scale Scores for a variety of professions:
John needs to take a PI Cognitive Assessment for the role of a VP.
According to the Job Target Scores Table, the required score for a candidate in general management is 280.
The employer may or may not increase or decrease the Cognitive Job Target Score by up to 30 points, depending on the requirements of the specific position.
To be on the safe side, always assume that this modification is +30.
We’ll add 30 points to the basic score John needs – 310.
Should I Pass My Modified Job Target Score?TL;DR – It is naturally best to aim as high as you can. However, you should know that this extra effort will likely have no effect on your chances with the employer.
The PI test’s scoring method dictates that if your employer has set a Job Target Score of, say, 300, both a candidate with a score of 300 and a candidate with a score of 400 will be marked as a perfect cognitive match for the job.
What will determine which of them is selected are their PI Behavioral Test scores.
Employers CAN, if they wish, take a deeper dive into your test scores and see your percentile and section scores, but PI actively discourages them from doing so, and recommends relying mainly on PI Behavioral test scores to make a decision.
This is how the employer sees PI Cognitive scores when comparing candidates. Look closely at candidates 1 and 2:
As you can see from the bell curve, candidate 2 has a MUCH higher cognitive test score than candidate 1, but both got a perfect 10 cognitive match score. And, due to a very low behavioral match score, candidate 2 is likely to be disqualified.
Use the following table to convert your raw score in the full-length, 50-question Free Test to the PI’s 100-450 scale.
Score Conversion Table" width="777" height="504" />
As you can see, scoring 40 out of 50 questions will put you on the top 2% of scorers. So, when someone tells you that “it’s an average of 15 seconds per question”, that’s really not the case.
It’s actually 18 seconds per question.
And actually-actually, it’s probably closer to 25, as you’ll soon see.
Let’s say John has answered 20 questions correctly on the Free PI Sample Test, which is about the average score. According to the Score Conversion Table, that is a scaled score of 250.
Compare your score with the Job Target Score.
This is how your employer is going to see it when taking a closer look into your profile:
John’s score of 250 is substantially lower than 310, which will likely yield a low cognitive match score for him.
Once you know the score you ACTUALLY need to pass the test, you will be able to substantially increase the time you can allow yourself to solve a question.
In the example below we unpack this with our fictional candidate John’s numbers, effectively increasing his solving time by 40%.
If we go back to the Score Conversion Table, we can see that the score John needs – 310, is 26 correct answers – just 6 more than his original score of 20.
Now, think about it this way.
What if, to begin with, John would have approached his PI test as if the last 20 questions did not exist?
That would give John nearly 25 seconds per question(!) – 40% more than what he thought he had, plus 4 questions to spare.
Since on the PI Cognitive test, the score depends ONLY on the number of correct answers, John has nothing to lose from not even looking at the last 20 questions.
If John combines this with focusing on the types of questions that he, personally, finds easier, he has a very solid strategy for acing this test.
Now that you know what score you need, go ahead and get it! Start practicing!
A good score on the PI Cognitive Assessment is your Target Job Score + 30, clear and simple.
The average score in the PI Cognitive Assessment is 19-20 correct answers, which is equivalent to a PI Scaled Score of 250.
This section provides full answers and explanations for the PI Cognitive Assessment Full-Length Mock Test.
The conclusion is correct.
All Type C clocks are square + Some Type D clocks are the same shape as Type C clocks = Some Type D clocks are square.
Since Square clocks are not valuable, then there are, necessarily, some Type D clocks that are not valuable.
The correct answer is 4 – 1/9.
Let’s look at all the answers:
You see that we try minimizing straightforward calculations in lowest value questions. That is because in the context of the PI cognitive test, it is a waste of time. The best way to quickly solve these questions is by using iterations of comparisons.
If that is unclear, don’t worry, it will become clearer as we solve additional examples.
The correct answer is 3.
With every step, two things happen:
The correct answer is 3.
In both original shapes, as well as in shapes 1,2, and 4, all angles are equal. Only in answer option 3 are angles not all equal.
The correct answer is 2.
A jar is the vessel in which jam is stored. A bag is the vessel in which salt is stored.
The correct answer is 3.
Idle means “lazy”, which is the opposite of “hard-working”.
The correct answer is 3.
The shapes in the sequence gain one side on every step – triangle (3 sides), rectangle (4 sides), pentagon (5 sides). Therefore, the next shape in the sequence should have 6 sides.
The correct answer is 2 – 111.
Looking at the sequence of differences:
The difference between every two terms (numbers) starts as 7 and is then multiplied by 2 in each step. Therefore, the difference to the next term should be 28 x 2 = 56.
The correct answer is 2 – 300.
The problem can be narrowed down to the following equation:
(6,000 x 0.2) / 4 = 300
The correct answer is 4.
In the analogous shape, all arrows are rotated 180 degrees relative to the original.
The conclusion is correct.
The transition here is pretty straightforward. If both companies A and B produce product X, and Product Z is never produced by companies producing product X, then, necessarily, companies A and B do not produce it.
The correct answer is 4 – 36.
The difference between every two terms increases by 1 in every step:
Therefore, the next difference should be 7.
The correct answer is 1.
The analogous shape is rotated 90 degrees counterclockwise relative to the original.
The correct answer is 2.
In the original shapes, as well as in shapes 1, 3, and 4, the shadow of the shape is to the bottom right. Only in shape 2 is it to the top left.
The correct answer is 3 – 9.
87 – 13 – 22 – 18 – 25 = 9.
The correct answer is 1 – 0.2.
Remember that 0.2 = 1/5.
Let’s look at all the answers:
The correct answer is 2.
In the analogous shape, the original colors change as follows:
The correct answer is 1 – uncertain.
Definite means “clear”, or “exact”, and therefore the word “uncertain” means the opposite.
The correct answer is 2 – hope.
Someone who is weak lacks power, as someone who is despaired lacks hope.
The correct answer is 4.
In every step, an additional triangle is added. The direction of the entire shape varies and does not follow any specific pattern. Therefore, the next shape in sequence should contain 5 triangles.
The correct answer is 3 – 38.
In this instance, looking at the sequence of differences will not yield any valuable insights. However, we can note that each term equals the sum of the two previous terms, plus 1:
Therefore, the next term equals:
The correct answer is 2 – cautious.
‘Reckless’ means irresponsibly daring, careless. Therefore, the word ‘cautious’ means the opposite.
The correct answer is 3.
In both original shapes, as well as in shapes 1, 2, and 4, there are 7 blackened tiles. Only in shape 3 there are 8 blackened tiles.
The correct answer is 4.
The analogous shape duplicates the original as a mirror image across the horizontal axis. Note that answer option 3, for instance, duplicates a mirror image across the vertical axis, and is therefore wrong.
The correct answer is 2 – 7.
This sequence is a simple arithmetic sequence (2, 3, 4, 5, 6) with the addition of the following rule:
That means that the next term will be positive and is therefore 7.
The correct answer is 1 – symphony.
An author writes (or creates) a book, as a composer writes a symphony.
The correct answer is 4 – 10/9.
All numbers in the question are improper fractions (fractions that are larger than 1).
As such, the number with the lowest value is the number which is closest to 1. Since 1/9 is the smallest fraction of all 4 options (1/3, 1/6, 1/8, 1/9), the number 10/9 is closest to 1.
The conclusion is incorrect.
The conclusion is immediately negated by the data in statement 2: Some employees who attend both conferences are in Store 2.
The correct answer is 4 – 21.
If 20 plates cost as much as 30 cups, then each plate costs 1.5 times a cup.
14 plates x 1.5 = 21 cups.
The conclusion Cannot be determined based on the information available.
While we know that both managers of the main branch AND managers from other branches work in Boston, we know nothing about managers from other branches working in New York.
The correct answer is 4 – 19.
The sequence of differences starts with 1 and doubles on every step:
Therefore, the difference between the last term and the next should be 8.
The correct answer is 2.
In this simple rotation pattern, the shape rotates 90 degrees clockwise on every step.
The correct answer is 2 – cheap.
‘Pricey’ means ‘expensive’ or ‘costly’. Therefore, ‘cheap’ is the opposite word.
The correct answer is 1 – 20.
On average, it takes 2.5 days to make a car:
Therefore, making 8 cars will take 20 days:
The correct answer is 2.
Both original shapes, as well as in shapes 1, 3, and 4, have 4 sides. Only shape 2 has 5 sides.
The correct answer is 3 – 20 hours.
The equation that describes the problem is:
640 / (8 x 4) [the total number of tests (640) divided by the number of tests the now undermanned team performs in an hour (4 tests per employee, times 8 employees)].
The correct answer is 1 – word.
A word is a collection of letters as a sentence is a collection of words.
Note that the word ‘paragraph’ may fit, but in the opposite direction:
A word is a collection of letters – A paragraph is a collection of sentences.
The opposite direction makes this answer incorrect. It is a common trick that tends to confuse inexperienced test-takers.
The correct answer is 1 – 18.
Let’s formulate the equations:
Plugging II) into I) and A = 36:
The correct answer is 2 – rascal.
‘Rascal’ means a crook, a dishonest person, which is the opposite of ‘gentleman’.
The conclusion is correct.
Therefore, all managers are outstanding employees.
Simplifying statements is a very technical process that can greatly help in coming to a quick, intuitive solution that is also correct.
The correct answer is 1.
In both original shapes, as well as in shapes 2, 3, and 4, no two adjacent tiles are colored the same.
The correct answer is 1.
The two circles move independently, according to the following pattern:
Note that on step 4, both circles are in the same location, so the black circle covers the grey circle (it could have been the other way around, as well).
The correct answer is 3 – 1/4 – 1/5.
When we have several options of subtraction drills, the lowest value will be when the minuend is smallest, and subtrahend is greatest. Since ¼ is the smallest of all four minuends, and 1/5 is the greatest of all four subtrahends, this drill will yield the lowest value.
The correct answer is 4 – wheat.
Wine is made of grapes as flour is made of wheat.
The correct answer is 3 – 36.
In this simple sequence, each term is the square of the respective natural number:
Therefore, the next term will be 6^2 = 36.
The correct answer is 2 – water.
Wind is moving air, as stream is moving water.
The correct answer is 4 – 62.
Looking at the sequence of differences, a very familiar pattern emergers:
These numbers form a Fibonacci sequence (each term is the sum of the previous two). Therefore, the next difference will be the next term in the Fibonacci sequence – 21.
The correct answer is 3 – elementary.
‘Elementary’ means ‘basic’, ‘simple’, and is therefore the opposite of ‘complex’.
The correct answer is 3 – 0.15.
In this question, it is recommended to use the estimation technique, since 1/9 ~ 0.11, which is a number that is easy to work with.
The correct answer is 2 – 88.
This is a trick question which attempts to ‘lure’ you into performing some complex calculations, whereas the actual solution is very simple.
To numerically solve this question, the proper calculation is:
However, we can look at this in the following way:
As such, the simpler calculation is:
86 + 10/5 = 86 + 2 = 88 (which is exactly the same result as the exercise marked *).
To prepare for the PI Cognitive Assessment, we strongly recommend JobTestPrep’s Preparation Pack.
Below we give all the reasons why this is the best prep option available today.
Full Disclosure: We are affiliated with JobTestPrep. Clicking the links helps us provide you with high-quality, ad-free content.
The first step in the PI Cognitive Ability Preparation is the diagnostic test. That test will tell you exactly what your weaker areas are, so you can make the most out of the limited time you have to practice.
Each practice test on JobTestPrep’s preparation pack accurately simulates the actual PICA:
According to your results on the Diagnostic Test, you will be able to strengthen your areas of weakness with additional practice drills. Every drill focuses on a specific question type in the PI Cognitive Ability test.
As we’ve previously mentioned, the PI Cognitive Ability Test will nearly always come alongside the PI Behavioral Assessment. JobTestPrep is currently the only resource that offers an accurate, comprehensive preparation for the behavioral portion.
Ready to ace your PI Cognitive Assessment? Start practicing!
