PI Cognitive Assessment Guide + Free Full-Length Test

More than nearly any other assessment, familiarity with the technicalities of the PI Cognitive test can make a major score difference.

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!

Basic Details

50 questions

Numerical, Abstract, Verbal

12 minutes

Multiple-Choice

PI Cognitive Test Interface

Shlomik Silbiger

Test geek and founder of Aptitude-Test-Prep.com

What Is the PI Cognitive Assessment?

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.

Test Structure and Question Format

The PI Cognitive Assessment (PICA) is a standard multiple-choice test that contains 9 question types over 3 categories:

PI Cognitive Assessment 9 Question Types

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.

Numerical

Number Series

A sequence of numbers following a mathematical pattern. You are required to choose the right number to complete the pattern.

Show Sample Question

What is the next number in the sequence below?

Number Value

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 Question

Which number has the lowest value?

Math Word Problems

Simple word problems covering basic math operations, averages, and percentages.

Show Sample Question

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?

Abstract

Visual Analogies

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

PI Cognitive Visual Analogies

Visual Series

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

PI Cognitive Visual Series

Common Features

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

PI Cognitive Common Features

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.

Verbal

Antonyms

You will need to find the word whose meaning is the opposite of a given word.

Show Sample Question

Which of the following is the opposite word of ‘complex?

Analogies

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 Question

Wind is to air as stream is to

Verbal Analysis

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 Question

If the assumptions are true, is the conclusion:

  1. Correct
  2. Incorrect
  3. Cannot be determined based on the information available.

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 What Do You Get?

JTP PI Cognitive Prep Sample

Or get more details on the Preparation section.

Full Disclosure: We are affiliated with JobTestPrep. Clicking the links helps us provide you with high-quality, ad-free content.

PI Cognitive Random Question Selection

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.

Test Interface

PI Cognitive Test Invitation Email

Your journey with the PI test starts with your test invitation, that looks something like this:

PI Cognitive Test Invitation

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).

Test Instructions and Technical Details

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.

The PI Cognitive Test Screen

Generally, this is how your PI test screen is going to look like:

PI Cognitive Test Interface

PI Cognitive Assessment Test Preparation What Do You Get?

JTP PI Cognitive Prep Sample

Or get more details on the Preparation section.

Full Disclosure: We are affiliated with JobTestPrep. Clicking the links helps us provide you with high-quality, ad-free content.

Free PI Cognitive Assessment Practice

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.

Question 1

Some Type D clocks are not valuable.

If the assumptions are true, is the conclusion:

  1. Correct
  2. Incorrect
  3. Cannot be determined based on the information available.

Question 2

Which number has the lowest value?

Question 3

PI Cognitive Assessment Visual Series Sample 1

Question 4

PI Cognitive Assessment Common Feature Sample 1

Question 5

Jam is to jar as salt to

Question 6

Which of the following is the opposite of the word “hard-working”?

Question 7

PI Cognitive Assessment Visual Series Sample 2

Question 8

What is the next number in the sequence below?

Question 9

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?

Question 10

PI Cognitive Assessment Visual Analogies Sample 1

Question 11

If the assumptions are true, is the conclusion:

  1. Correct
  2. Incorrect
  3. Cannot be determined based on the information available.

Question 12

What is the next number in the sequence below?

Question 13

PI Cognitive Assessment Visual Analogies Sample 2

Question 14

PI Cognitive Assessment Common Feature Sample 2

Question 15

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?

Question 16

Which of the following numbers has the lowest value?

Question 17

PI Cognitive Assessment Visual Analogies Sample 3

Question 18

Which of the following is the opposite of the word “definite”?

Question 19

Weak is to power as despaired is to

Question 20

PI Cognitive Assessment Visual Series Sample 3

Question 21

What is the next number in the sequence below?

Question 22

Which of the following is the opposite of the word ‘reckless’?

Question 23

PI Cognitive Assessment Common Feature Sample 3

Question 24

PI Cognitive Assessment Visual Analogies Sample 4

Question 25

What is the next number in the sequence below?

Question 26

Author is to book as composer is to

  1. symphony
  2. video
  3. sculpture
  4. performance

Question 27

Which number has the lowest value?

Question 28

If the assumptions are true, is the conclusion:

  1. Correct
  2. Incorrect
  3. Cannot be determined based on the information available.

Question 29

If 20 plates cost as much as 30 cups, how many cups could you buy for the price of 14 plates?

Question 30

If the assumptions are true, is the conclusion:

  1. Correct
  2. Incorrect
  3. Cannot be determined based on the information available.

Question 31

What is the next number in the sequence below?

Question 32

PI Cognitive Assessment Visual Series Sample 4

Question 33

Which of the following is the opposite of the word “pricey”?

  1. expensive
  2. cheap
  3. valuable
  4. negligible

Question 34

If 6 cars take 15 days to make, how many days does it take to make 8 cars?

Question 35

PI Cognitive Assessment Common Feature Sample 4

Question 36

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?

  1. 30 hours
  2. 25 hours
  3. 20 hours
  4. 15 hours

Question 37

Word is to letter as sentence is to

Question 38

Andy has 12 marbles more than Bob. Bob has 6 marbles more than Chris. Andy has 36 marbles. How many marbles does Chris have?

Question 39

Which of the following is the opposite word of ‘gentleman?

Question 40

If the assumptions are true, is the conclusion:

  1. Correct
  2. Incorrect
  3. Cannot be determined based on the information available.

Question 41

PI Cognitive Common Features

Question 42

PI Cognitive Visual Series

Question 43

Which number has the lowest value?

  1. 1/2 – 1/6
  2. 1 – 1/8
  3. 1/4 – 1/5
  4. 1/3 – 1/7

Question 44

Wine is to grapes as flour is to

Question 45

What is the next number in the sequence below?

Question 46

Wind is to air as stream is to

Question 47

What is the next number in the sequence below?

Question 48

Which of the following is the opposite word of ‘complex?

Question 49

Which number has the lowest value?

Question 50

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?

The PI Scoring Guide, or The 40% Extra Time Technique

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:

  1. Calculate Job Target Score.
  2. Job Target Score modification (+30).
  3. Find your PI cognitive score.
  4. Compare
  5. Lower the Number of Questions to Solve.

Step #1 – Calculate Basic Job Target Score Table

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:

PI Cognitive Assessment Target Scores

Practical Example – Step #1:

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.

Step #2 – Job Target Score Modification

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.

Practical Example – Step #2:

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:

PI Cognitive Match Scores

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.

Step #3 – Convert Your Raw PI Cognitive Score to the PI Scaled Score

Use the following table to convert your raw score in the full-length, 50-question Free Test to the PI’s 100-450 scale.

PI Cognitive Assessment <a href=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.

Practical Example – Step #3:

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.

Step #4 – Compare

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:

PI Cognitive Target to Score Comparison

Practical Example – Step #4:

John’s score of 250 is substantially lower than 310, which will likely yield a low cognitive match score for him.

Step #5 – Lower the number of Questions to Solve

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%.

Practical Example – Step #5:

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!

What Is a Good Score on the PI Cognitive Test?

A good score on the PI Cognitive Assessment is your Target Job Score + 30, clear and simple.

What Is the Average Score on the Cognitive Test?

The average score in the PI Cognitive Assessment is 19-20 correct answers, which is equivalent to a PI Scaled Score of 250.

Free Test Answers and Explanations

This section provides full answers and explanations for the PI Cognitive Assessment Full-Length Mock Test.

Question 1

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.

Question 2

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.

Question 3

The correct answer is 3.

With every step, two things happen:

Question 4

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.

Question 5

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.

Question 6

The correct answer is 3.

Idle means “lazy”, which is the opposite of “hard-working”.

Question 7

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.

Question 8

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.

Question 9

The correct answer is 2 – 300.

The problem can be narrowed down to the following equation:

(6,000 x 0.2) / 4 = 300

Question 10

The correct answer is 4.

In the analogous shape, all arrows are rotated 180 degrees relative to the original.

Question 11

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.

Question 12

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.

Question 13

The correct answer is 1.

The analogous shape is rotated 90 degrees counterclockwise relative to the original.

Question 14

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.

Question 15

The correct answer is 3 – 9.

87 – 13 – 22 – 18 – 25 = 9.

Question 16

The correct answer is 1 – 0.2.

Remember that 0.2 = 1/5.

Let’s look at all the answers:

Question 17

The correct answer is 2.

In the analogous shape, the original colors change as follows:

Question 18

The correct answer is 1 – uncertain.

Definite means “clear”, or “exact”, and therefore the word “uncertain” means the opposite.

Question 19

The correct answer is 2 – hope.

Someone who is weak lacks power, as someone who is despaired lacks hope.

Question 20

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.

Question 21

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:

Question 22

The correct answer is 2 – cautious.

‘Reckless’ means irresponsibly daring, careless. Therefore, the word ‘cautious’ means the opposite.

Question 23

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.

Question 24

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.

Question 25

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.

Question 26

The correct answer is 1 – symphony.

An author writes (or creates) a book, as a composer writes a symphony.

Question 27

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.

Question 28

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.

Question 29

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.

Question 30

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.

Question 31

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.

Question 32

The correct answer is 2.

In this simple rotation pattern, the shape rotates 90 degrees clockwise on every step.

Question 33

The correct answer is 2 – cheap.

‘Pricey’ means ‘expensive’ or ‘costly’. Therefore, ‘cheap’ is the opposite word.

Question 34

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:

Question 35

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.

Question 36

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)].

Question 37

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.

Question 38

The correct answer is 1 – 18.

Let’s formulate the equations:

Plugging II) into I) and A = 36:

Question 39

The correct answer is 2 – rascal.

‘Rascal’ means a crook, a dishonest person, which is the opposite of ‘gentleman’.

Question 40

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.

Question 41

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.

Question 42

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).

Question 43

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.

Question 44

The correct answer is 4 – wheat.

Wine is made of grapes as flour is made of wheat.

Question 45

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.

Question 46

The correct answer is 2 – water.

Wind is moving air, as stream is moving water.

Question 47

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.

Question 48

The correct answer is 3 – elementary.

‘Elementary’ means ‘basic’, ‘simple’, and is therefore the opposite of ‘complex’.

Question 49

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.

Question 50

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 *).

Preparation

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.

PI Cognitive Diagnostic Test

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.

JTP PI Diagnostic Sample

Authentic Mock Tests

Each practice test on JobTestPrep’s preparation pack accurately simulates the actual PICA:

JTP PI Cognitive Prep Sample

What Do You Get?

Additional Practice by Topic

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.

JTP PI Cognitive Additional Practice Tests

PI Behavioral Prep

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.

PI Behavioral JTP Example

Ready to ace your PI Cognitive Assessment? Start practicing!