- PI Cognitive Introduction Test with personalized feedback
- 5 Full PI Cognitive Simulations
- 43 PI Cognitive Practice Tests
Of all question types: Numerical, Verbal, Abstract/Visual - 11 Study Guides & Video Tutorials
- Additional PI Behavioral Assessment Practice and Guide
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What is the PI Cognitive Assessment Test?
The Predictive Index (PI) cognitive assessment is a demanding 12-minute test that has 50 questions of several types: numerical, verbal, and abstract reasoning, assessing your cognitive ability. Specifically, it is used to predict job candidates' ability to make decisions, learn, and adapt to different roles and situations.
This test was formerly known as the PLI Test (predictive index learning indicator).
To get a quick overview of the PI cognitive assessment test questions, features, and preparation tips, watch this video:
Predictive Index also provides the PI behavioral assessment to predict job performance, commonly given complementary to the cognitive assessment. PI's Cognitive Assessment is often used by Maersk to select candidates for different positions.
What Kind of Questions Should You Expect?
The Predictive Index Cognitive Assessment consists of multiple-choice questions that assess three types of cognitive abilities: numerical reasoning, verbal reasoning, and abstract reasoning. Each type of ability is examined by several question types, resulting in eight types of questions. Click the links below to skip straight to free sample questions:
PI Numerical Reasoning questions
- Number Series
- Math problems
- Word Analogies
- Antonyms
- Formal Logic
PI Abstract Reasoning questions
- Visual Series
- Visual Analogies
- Odd One Out
PI Cognitive Assessment Sample Questions
Numerical Reasoning Questions
Numerical reasoning questions, in other words, math questions, require performing basic calculations. You'll be required to solve these either mentally or using scrap paper since calculators are not allowed.
Ann, Matt, and Zack are working for a cleaning company. Together, they can clean a house in 2 hours. If Ann does the job alone, she can finish it in 5 hours. If Matt does the job alone, he can finish it in 6 hours. How long will it take Ann and Zack together to complete the job?
Verbal Reasoning
Verbal reasoning questions will test both your vocabulary and ability to analyze new information and draw conclusions.
Read the facts and determine if they prove the conclusion 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.
choose the correct answer:
Abstract Reasoning Questions
Abstract reasoning questions will examine your ability to mentally rotate images and to analyze and identify visual patterns.
Choose the correct shape:
Free PI Cognitive Assessment Resources
To get familiar with all the PI question types, we recommend first trying to solve PI's official published sample questions. These 20 questions are a great starting point for your practice:
The Official predictive index Sample Questions (updated to 2022).
To get a feeling of the actual Predictive Index cognitive assessment, try our free timed practice test. it contains 12 questions, takes a few minutes, and contains feedback and full answers for every question:
Our Free PI Cognitive Assessment Sample Test
Looking for comprehensive practice questions and answers in one place? get our full preparation pack with 843+ more practice questions, full PI assessment practice tests, answers, and solving tips. As part of our pack, you'll also get additional practice for the PI behavioral assessment, at no extra cost.
What Is a Good Score on The PI Cognitive Assessment?
PI Cognitive Assessment scores are calculated based on the number of questions you get right, and the relative percentile score- how many people (out of a large, similar pool of candidates) scored below you.
The score you need depends on the position you’re applying for and on other candidates’ scores. For reference, a score of 20/50 correct answers is the average PI cognitive assessment score (that is 250 in terms of the scaled score). So, a score of 40/50 correct answers is considered a very high score- in fact, it is a higher score than ~98% of all test taker's scores. Getting a score higher than that would increase your chances of getting hired.
How to Prepare for the PI Cognitive Assessment?
- Practice the most relevant questions
Research has shown that cognitive ability test results improve greatly when practicing the required task in different variations.
Practicing questions that accurately resemble the PI cognitive questions would help you reach the highest score possible even with short practice.
- Personalize your practice
To make the most out of your PI cognitive assessment practice, you should start by identifying your weaknesses and strengths. Then, instead of getting exhausted from solving all types of practice questions, focus your effort on those question types that are most difficult for you, in which you have the highest potential to improve.
- Focus On Speed
The main challenge on the PI cognitive assessment is TIME.
Answering 50 questions in 12 minutes means you'll have approx. 14 seconds per question.
However, many questions take a lot longer than that to solve when encountered for the first time. So how is that possible?
Practicing accurate PI cognitive assessment questions and answers would help you solve questions more quickly, even when encountered for the first time. This is because you'll learn to quickly identify those details you need to solve each type of question.
Why Practice with JobTestPrep?
Our full Predictive Index practice pack was created by experienced experts to accurately resemble the questions you’ll face on the actual test. It includes personalized feedback to help you focus on your weaker subjects, full practice tests, and thorough answers with tips. This practice has helped hundreds of candidates get the score they need and pass the PI assessment, even with just a couple of days practice.
5 Tips to Boost Your PI Cognitive Assessment Score
Use these tips to skyrocket your PI assessment test score:
- Take the test on your first language
You can choose the language in which you’ll take the test. Choose your first language, in which your verbal skills- reading speed and understanding, are the highest. - Don’t be afraid to guess
Answering questions wrong doesn’t cost you points; you can only gain points on this test. Therefore, even if you’re not sure, try and take your best guess. - Manage your time
As mentioned, time is the most important and challenging aspect of this test.
- Aspire to SEE all 50 questions to “collect” as many questions you’re confident at as possible.
- As you go through questions, first answer those you’re most confident in.
- Don’t spend more than 25 seconds per question. If you feel stuck, take a guess and try to go back to the question later-on.
- Answer ALL questions, even if you’re not sure of the answer. For questions you are not sure about, write down the question number so that you can go back to it later.
- Get familiar with the personality assessment
In many cases, candidates are given a supplementary personality test. If this is the case for you, read more about the behavioral test on our Predictive Index Behavioral Assessment page. - Reduce stress
The PI cognitive test time pressure can make it quite stressful. There are a couple of important ways to deal with this stress:
- Get familiar with the test questions, that is by PRACTICING sample questions and full PI Cognitive Assessment practice tests.
- If you’re taking the test online, make sure to find a comfortable environment in which you feel relaxed and undistracted.
- Before taking the actual test, take a break from practicing for as much time as you need, so that you feel fresh before starting the test.
- When facing questions, make sure to fully read the instructions. If you feel overwhelmed at the beginning of the test, take a guess, and start with a simple question to boost your confidence.
FAQs
Getting a question wrong doesn’t cost you points. Since you can only gain points by answering questions, it is better to guess even if you’re not sure of your answer.
Most people DO NOT answer all 50 questions in 12 minutes. In fact, only 1% of the population answers more than 40 questions correctly.
You should aim to answer as many questions as you can. This means taking a guess even if you’re not sure of the answer, and especially when you feel like you’re stuck. You can always go back to earlier questions, so try to first move forward and solve questions you feel confident at.
The overall purpose of the test is to provide the employer with a broad holistic evaluation of the cognitive capacity of incoming job applicants.
The test aims to reveal how your brain functions in terms of attention, speed, memory, and visualization.
These skills are necessary to ensure that you are capable of handling certain roles and their complexities.
Over 7,600 people look to us for PI Cognitive Assessment practice material every month from all around the world.
We also know that the test is accessible in over 70 languages and is offered in over 50 countries worldwide.
So... we can safely assume that about 5 times the people that come to us take the test. Around 35,000 every month.
This is good news, because it means that only a 5th of test-takers take the time to prepare. Preparation gives a huge edge in test performance over the competition who decided to just wing it.
The PI is a standard Cognitive Ability Test and isn't considered especially difficult in this category.
However, cognitive ability tests are designed to be challenging, and the PI Cognitive Assessment is no exception.
The challenge lies in the test's format, which requires you to answer a large number of questions in a very short time span.
The challenge is staying calm and not sacrificing accuracy for speed (i.e., answering quickly but incorrectly).
We have helped tens of thousands of job seekers before you to prepare for this type of test, and we can help you too!
Check out our tailored PI practice pack if you're serious about preparing.
Even though the PI Cognitive Assessment shares some common features with IQ tests, it does not examine your IQ level.
Its purpose is to check your adaptability and assess your ability to handle complex problems deemed necessary for certain jobs.
The test measures your ability to do the following:
- Understand complex ideas
- Adapt effectively to a new environment
- Learn from experience
- Reason
- Overcome obstacles
The PI Cognitive Assessment is backed by science and meets the standards of both the APA (American Psychological Association) and the SIOP (Society of Industrial & Organizational Psychology).
You will most likely receive an email with a link to a PI Learning Indicator online testing platform containing instructions for your specific test.
Some employers choose to conduct the test in a controlled environment at their offices or at a testing center. If you have to take the test at a testing center, you'll be notified and given a date and location.
Yes you can, and you should. After all, your future employment depends on it.
The test provider, the Predictive Index, discuses the benefits of preparation on its website:
"Experience shows that if someone is used to these types of assessments, he or she will be able to get consistently closer to his or her ‘capacity’ or maximum score.
In other words, it is actually ideal when an assessment taker is trained or familiar with the PI item types, as it gives the company the best possible insight into the candidate’s true potential."
You can reach your full capacity within just a few days by preparing with our specially tailored PI test simulations and practice drills.
This way, by the time you take the test you'll be very familiar with the questions and format.
