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Cognitive ability tests are widely used by employers to predict job performance and serve as an indicator of general cognitive ability. Cognitive tests may differ in format, but they typically contain 20-50 multiple-choice questions that measure core elements of cognitive ability and must be answered under a tight time limit.
On this page, you will find accurate examples of cognitive ability test questions that represent the questions you could find in some of the industry's leading cognitive ability tests, including ASVAB, PI, Wonderlic, CCAT, WorkKeys, NOCTI, Bryq, Raven's and P&G. Each question is followed by a full answer with useful information and tips for you to learn from, just like what you would find in JobTestPrep's many cognitive ability preparation packs.
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By combining questions of varying complexity from several fields with a stressful time limit, the cognitive ability test challenges the candidate's problem solving and processing speed abilities, and provides the employer with a measurement of general cognitive ability - a central component of intelligence.
Cognitive testing is such a popular hiring process tool because it is one of the most valid predictors of job success. By giving the employer a preview of a candidate’s cognitive abilities, the cognitive ability test increases the chances that the hiring process will be successful – to the benefit of the organization as well as the candidate.
Although there is a wide variety of cognitive ability tests that differ in format and difficulty, they generally all set out to measure the same fields:
In this section, you will find 20 cognitive ability example questions simulating those you would find in the most respected cognitive ability tests in use today. Read each question carefully and select the answer you think is correct, and then read the full answer that follows. Good luck!
Verbal Analogy: find the relationship between the pair of words below, and identify the most similar relationship in the answer options.
REPLETE is to FAMISHED as:
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The answer is C.
REPLETE means “full with,” and FAMISHED means “very hungry.” If a person is FAMISHED, they are not REPLETE with food. In a specific context, these two adjectives directly contradict one another.
If something is BLATANT it is very obvious, while if something is MASKED it is hidden. If something is MASKED, it is not BLATANT – these two words also directly contradict each other, and is, therefore, the correct answer.
Incorrect Answers
A – SHROUD means “to cover,” and HASTEN means “to do something quickly.” These two words do not have a strong relationship.
B – PLAUSIBLE means “reasonable,” and PLACATE means “try to please.” These two words do not have a strong relationship.
D – COMMENCE means to begin, and a person GRADUATEs upon completing a course of study. Often, GRADUATION ceremonies are referred to as COMMENCEment ceremonies. These two words are related but do not contradict one another.
E – A person who is DEPRESSED may not be SUCCESSFUL, but these two words do not directly contradict each other.
Number Series: identify the hidden pattern in the series of numbers below, and use it to predict the next / missing number:
8 | 3 | 9 | 10 | 17 | ?
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The answer is: 25.
Answer explanation: This series is a variation of the famous Fibonacci sequence: each term equals the sum of the two previous terms minus 2.
Abstract Reasoning - the numbers in the figures below have the same mathematical relationship to one another.
What number should replace the question mark in the figure below?
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The correct answer is: 2.
When solving this type of question it is important to understand the pattern that the three circles exhibit and the numerical relationship between them.
Focus on the quarter that the question mark appears in and check to see if there is a common relationship that repeats itself between that quarter and the other quarters of each of the circles.
In this example, the circles share the following pattern: (Top cell) minus (Diagonal-bottom-cell) = 1.
e.g. left circle: 6 (top-left) – 5 (bottom-right) = 1, 9 (top-right) – 8 (bottom-left) = 1; right circle: 0 (top-left) – (-1) (bottom-right) = 1.
According to the reasoning above the (top-left) cell – (bottom-right) cell = 1. Therefore, the (bottom-right) cell = 2.
Deductive Reasoning - These cognitive test questions measure your ability to analyze sentences and reach a logical conclusion. Some of the questions are numerical, and some are verbal, and the conclusion is generally reached by applying general rules.
If the first two statements are true, is the final statement true?
Most snakes are green.
Most snakes are quick.
At least one snake is both green and quick.
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The correct answer is A - Yes.
The way to solve this type of question is to examine the ratios and see if there could be an overlap between the two groups - if most of the snakes are green and most of the snakes are quick, we can deduce that there has to be at least one green snake that is also quick.
This happens because the subgroups of "green" and "quick" each constitute more than 50% of the entire snake population (most of the snakes means more than 50%) and consequently must overlap.
Numerical Reasoning: Percentages and Word Problems. Percentage problems can take the form of word problems and are usually structured in the following way: "(this) is (a percentage) of (that)", which translates to = (to a decimal) × (that)".
If there are 32 students in the classroom and 12.5% of them own at least one pet, how many students do not own any pets?
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The correct answer is 28.
It helps to memorize the most common fractions that represent each type of percentages/decimals.
For example:
1\4 = 0.25 = 25%
1\8 = 0.125 = 12.5%
If there are 32 students in the class and only 12.5% of them own at least one pet then all that is left is to divide 32\8 to know that 4 students own a pet and 28 do not.
Verbal Reasoning: Vocabulary
Clout most closely means -
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The correct answer is prestige.
The word clout has two meanings: (1) A heavy blow, especially with the hand (2) The power to influence, usually regarding politics or business.
Prestige is close in meaning to the second definition of clout and is therefore the correct answer.
Numerical Reasoning: Word Problems
Shelley has 7 dresses, 8 pairs of shoes, and 7 necklaces. If she wears one combination of clothes per day. How many days can she go without wearing the same outfit?
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The answer is 392.
This is a classic combinations question. In order to solve the problem, you must figure the correct number of choices in each category. We have 3 categories:
Dresses= a choice between 7 options.
Shoes = a choice between 8 options.
Necklaces = a choice between 7 options.
The overall number of combinations equals to a multiplication of the number of options within each category: 7*7*8=392
Verbal Reasoning: Synonym / Antonym
IMPERIOUS is the opposite of:
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The correct answer is subservient.
Imperious means "domineering in a haughty manner; dictatorial; overbearing," so the antonym is subservient. Arrogant is a similar word but not a synonym. Quiet, stormy, and gloomy are not related.
Therefore, the correct answer is subservient.
Questions 2-8 are the type of cognitive questions you will face in the Wonderlic Test. For a full length Wonderlic practice test, click here.
Abstract Reasoning - Spatial
Which of the following boxes should replace the question mark (?) to complete the pattern?
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The arrows move 90 degrees counterclockwise, and the colors change between black, grey and white in cycles of three.
Based on the progression of the arrows, the following arrow in the series must be gray and pointing downwards.
Logical Reasoning - Syllogisms are a type of deductive reasoning where a conclusion is drawn from two premises provided to you in the question.
Assume the first two statements are true:
All athletes are hard workers.
Alice is not an athlete.
Alice is not a hard worker.
Is the final statement:
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You can deduce from the first statement that all athletes are hard workers, but you do not have any information about non-athletes.
Therefore, according to the second statement, you cannot conclude anything regarding Alice, who is not an athlete.
The final statement is uncertain.
Numerical reasoning - Word Problems
In a popular music station, songs are played fully and uninterrupted (i.e., no commercial breaks).
The popular music broadcast "Hits All Around Us" lasts 2 hours and 15 minutes, in which two-song lengths are played – songs that last 3 minutes and songs that last 6 minutes.
How many songs will be played during the broadcast?
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Two hours and 15 minutes are 135 minutes in total.
The most songs that can be played are 45 (45 songs X 3 minutes each = 135 minutes).
The last songs that can be played are 23 (22 songs X 6 minutes each + 1 song X 3 minutes = 132 + 3 = 135)
Verbal Reasoning - sentence completion. Choose the word that, when inserted in the sentence to replace the blank, best fits the meaning of the sentence.
Electronic information and automated systems are essential to ____ all major federal operations.
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The sentence refers to electronic information that is fundamental to (something) all major federal operations. The sentence's general idea implies that electronic information is essential to practically / nearly / almost all primary federal operations.
Therefore, the only word accurately reflecting that meaning in the sentence's context is "virtually".
Abstract Reasoning - these types of cognitive questions require finding hidden patterns or rules in shapes. There are many types of abstract reasoning questions in cognitive tests, in which you need to pay attention to different elements. In the following question, you must pay attention to shape and movement.
Which of the following boxes should replace the question mark (?) to complete the pattern?
Correct!
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In this series, alternating vertical lines or vertical chains of circles are added to each figure, depending on the previous figure.
The middle circle in the vertical chain is always black. Since the last figure in the series contained an additional vertical chain of circles, the next figure should include an additional vertical line.
The figure appearing in answer option A is the only one that fits.
Letter Series - What would be the next group of letters in the following series?
zone --> ynnd --> xmnc --> wlnb --> ?
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The pattern in this question is that all the letters move one letter backward in the alphabet except the letter "n" which stays constant. Therefore the answer is vkna.
Tip - at first glance, this type of cognitive ability question seems confusing. It is in fact no different than a number series! To help you solve these questions quickly, write down the ABC with a corresponding number beneath each letter (A-1, B-2 etc.). This will help you identify the pattern.
Cognitive question examples 9-14 are the type of questions you will encounter in the CCAT Test. To practice more questions, try our Free CCAT Practice Test.
Logical Reasoning - In the following question you will be presented with a fact and a pursuant conclusion. It is up to you to decide if the conclusion can be proven or not.
FACTS: If Jason is late to the meeting, Kevin will have to work late. Lois will not cook dinner for Kevin unless Kevin gets home from work on time. If Lois does not cook dinner for Kevin, Kevin will order pizza for dinner. Lois cooked dinner for Kevin.
CONCLUSION: Jason was late to the meeting.
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The facts disprove the conclusion
If Jason is late to the meeting then Kevin will not get home from work on time because he will have to work late. Lois will cook dinner for Kevin only if Kevin gets home from work on time Thus, if Lois cooked dinner for Kevin, Jason could not have come late to the meeting.
Verbal Reasoning - Odd One Out. In this type of cognitive question, you need to select the word that stands out in regard to its meaning.
Which word does not belong on this list?
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The correct answer is archaic
Archaic is a word used to describe something that belongs to an earlier period of time, while the other words are used to describe sad and gloomy states of mind or facial expressions.
Abstract Reasoning - Odd One Out
Choose the odd one out:
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The correct answer is C.
The logic: In all of the options except for option three, there is a vertical line which separates these boxes into two, equal, symmetrical halves which mirror one another. If these boxes were pieces of paper which were folded vertically, the items in the boxes would be matching and perfectly identical. The right and left halves are mirror-images of one another. This is not the case for option three. In option 3, there is no mirroring effect between the halves. Both hearts have to be either on the top or on the box's bottom for there to be symmetry.
You have probably noticed that the amount, shape and color of the items are insignificant features and are simply distracters.
Numerical Reasoning - Word Problems
When a smartphone is connected to a charger the battery charge increases by 4.5% per minute. When applications are in use the battery decreases by 3% per 2.5 minutes.
What is the percentage of charging rate per minute if the phone is connected to a charger while several applications are in use?
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The correct answer is 3.3%.
In order to tackle this question we will first need to understand that there are two opposite "forces" in this question - charging and discharging (i.e. application usage) of the battery. The charger works in a "positive direction" and the applications in a "negative direction".
Now we can address the given information:
Charger's work rate: 4.5/1 (4.5% charge per minute)
Applications' work rate: -3/2.5 = -1.2/1 (1.2% discharge per minute)
Thus, the total charging rate ("sum of forces"): 4.5/1 – 1.2/1 = 3.3/1, meaning: 3.3% per minute.
Logical Reasoning
Assumptions:
Most technicians work on the first floor.
All accountants work on the second floor.
No secretaries work on the third floor.
Conclusion: Rose, a technician, works on the third floor.
If the assumptions are true, is the conclusion:
Correct!
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According to the first assumption, most technicians work on the first floor. This means that there is at least one technician who does not work on the first floor. Thus, Rose may or may not work on the third floor.
Therefore, the conclusion Cannot be determined based on the information
Abstract Reasoning - Next in Series
Which block completes the following sequence:
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The correct answer is D.
The two black sections of the circle move around it clockwise in a different pattern: the section on the upper left side of the circle moves two sections each step. The second section (upper right side in the first frame) stays in the same spot for a step and then moves two sections in the next two steps.
When the two sections land on the same spot, they appear as one, such as in the third frame.
In the next frame of the sequence, the first section should appear on the upper right side of the circle, so answers (A), (B), and (E) can be ruled out. The second section should stay where it is, which leaves the answer (D).
Cognitive questions 15-20 are the types of questions commonly found in the PI cognitive assessment. To practice more questions like these, try our free Predictive Index Practice Test.
Cognitive tests present two major obstacles: short time frames, and questions that include known tricks and distracters. Luckily, you can overcome these two obstacles with the right practice.
JobTestPrep's cognitive test preparation packs offer a comprehensive review of all the question types seen on contemporary employers' cognitive ability tests. Practicing the full range of numerical, verbal, deductive, spatial, and logical reasoning questions under strict time frames can greatly assist in improving your scores.
We also provide detailed answer explanations, helping you to understand the logic behind each question. Furthermore, our insightful score reports can help you assess your own cognitive abilities, strengths, and weaknesses.
Start preparing today with one of our specialized prep packs!
Cognitive tests can be daunting, and the stress that accompanies them due to the high stakes that are involved can make them even more so. However, there are a number of tips and hacks that can help you improve your cognitive test score before even beginning to practice!
While cognitive ability tests generally measure similar fields, they can vary significantly in length, time limit, and difficulty. Below are some of the most popular cognitive tests being used today, click on the link to learn more about how each one measures cognitive abilities:
Many tests include cognitive ability sections along with other topics. You can find army-related cognitive ability sample questions on our Free ASVAB Practice and Free AFOQT Practice Test.
While not a cognitive test, interviews play a significant part in the hiring process for most employers. The most notorious one is the pre-recorded video interview.
Cognitive tests measure your cognitive abilities - but how are the scores used to decide which candidate gets the job?
There are two main scoring methods to compare cognitive ability scores:
Relative score - your score is placed on a bell curve along with the scores of other candidates so that your score is compared to theirs and a certain cutoff point is decided. For example, an employer might decide that only the top 10% of the scores move on to the next step of the hiring process.
Absolute score - a threshold is set by the employer in advance, and your cognitive ability score needs to pass it. For example, getting more than 30 questions right in the Wonderlic Test.
For more scoring methods, you can observe our ASVAB Scores guide.
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