PI Cognitive Assessment Free Practice Test, Sample Questions & Expert Tips

The correct answer is A - 1⁄3 × 1⁄5

There are two ways to solve this question. The first is to calculate each answer and compare the results.

When multiplying fractions, multiply the top numbers, called numerators, and then multiply the bottom numbers, called denominators.

• 1⁄3 × 1⁄5 = 1⁄15
• 1⁄3 × 1⁄4 = 1⁄12
• 1⁄2 × 1⁄4 = 1⁄8
• 1⁄2 × 1⁄5 = 1⁄10

All the answers have 1 as the numerator. When fractions have the same numerator, the fraction with the larger denominator is smaller. Since 15 is the largest denominator, 1⁄15 is the smallest result.

Another way to solve the question is to look at the answer choices without fully calculating them.

Each answer is made by multiplying either 1⁄2 or 1⁄3 by either 1⁄4 or 1⁄5.

Since 1⁄3 is smaller than 1⁄2, and 1⁄5 is smaller than 1⁄4, the smallest result will come from multiplying the two smaller fractions:

1⁄3 × 1⁄5

The correct answer is A – 1⁄2 − 1⁄6.

To answer this question, we can use elimination. Instead of fully solving every option right away, we can look for an answer choice that gives us a useful comparison point.

• Let’s start with B: 1⁄4 + 1⁄4

When the denominators are the same, we can simply add the top numbers:

1⁄4 + 1⁄4 = 2⁄4 And 2⁄4 simplifies to 1⁄2.

So now we know that B equals 1⁄2. We can use this as a benchmark.

Now look at C: 1⁄3 + 1⁄5

Since both fractions are positive, adding them together gives a result that is a little more than 1⁄2:

1⁄3 + 1⁄5 = 5⁄15 + 3⁄15 = 8⁄15

And 8⁄15 is larger than 1⁄2, so C can be eliminated.

• Now look at D: 3⁄4 − 1⁄5

To subtract these fractions, we use a common denominator of 20:

3⁄4 = 15⁄20
1⁄5 = 4⁄20

So:

15⁄20 − 4⁄20 = 11⁄20

Since 11⁄20 is more than 1⁄2, D can also be eliminated.

• Now check A: 1⁄2 − 1⁄6

Rewrite 1⁄2 as sixths:

1⁄2 = 3⁄6

So:

3⁄6 − 1⁄6 = 2⁄6

And 2⁄6 simplifies to 1⁄3.

Since 1⁄3 is smaller than 1⁄2, and the other remaining options are larger than 1⁄2, the smallest answer is A – 1⁄2 − 1⁄6.

The correct answer is B - at least 23

Two hours and 15 minutes are 135 minutes in total.

To find the lowest possible number of songs, we should use as many 6-minute songs as possible, since longer songs mean fewer songs overall.

If 22 songs of 6 minutes are played:

22 × 6 = 132 minutes

There are 3 minutes left, so one more 3-minute song can be played.

Therefore, the fewest possible number of songs is:

22 + 1 = 23 songs

So, during the broadcast, there will be at least 23 songs.

The highest possible number of songs would be achieved by playing only 3-minute songs:

135 ÷ 3 = 45 songs

So the “at most 44” and “at most 42” options are not correct.

The correct answer is A - 3

Step 1
In order to solve this problem we will first find out Zack's work rate (indicated as Z).
We know the total work rate of all three people together: 1/2 (1 house in 2 hours), Ann's work rate is 1/5 (1 house in 5 hours), and so on. Each person contributes his share to that total rate, meaning:
Ann + Matt + Zack = total
1/5 + 1/6 + 1/Z = 1/2
=> 1/Z = 1/2 – 1/5 – 1/6          /*30  (the Lowest common denominator)
=> 30/Z = 15 – 6 – 5 = 4         /*Z
=> 30 = 4Z
=> Z = 7.5
Thus, Zack's work rate: 1/7.5

Step 2
The total time it will take Ann and Zack to clean a house:
1/t = 1/5 + 1/7.5                         /*15
15/t = 3 + 2 = 5                           /*(t/5)
=> t = 3 hours.

The correct answer is B - 65.

The series in this question advances according to the pattern: *2 -1
whereby: :

• 1st term = 3 and then: preceding term*2-1
• 2nd term = 3*2-1 = 5
• 3rd term = 5*2-1 = 9
• 4th term = 9*2-1 = 17
• 5th term = 17*2-1 = 33
• 6th term = 33*2-1 = 65

Another way to look at the logic of this series is that the difference between two adjacent terms doubles as the series progresses: 

The correct answer is (A) – 19.

This series is composed of prime numbers (i.e., divisible only by 1 and themselves) in ascending order.

For candidates who can easily identify the prime number series, this question is a "freebie". But for those who weren't, it can be a huge time-waster. This is why it's recommended to familiarise yourself with a few of the most common numerical series, such as prime numbers, odd and even numbers, square numbers, cube numbers, multiples, and the Fibonacci sequence.

The correct answer is A.

Snow is one kind of precipitation, just as rice is a kind of carbohydrate.

CALORIE is there to confuse you, because carbs are often thought of as high-calorie foods. This question demonstrates why improving your vocabulary ahead of the test can be useful; If a candidate doesn't know the meaning of PRECIPITATION, this question may trick them.

The correct answer is B.

EPHEMERAL means fleeting or temporary. It is therefore the opposite of PERMANENT. 

So, we are looking for a word that's the opposite of CAPRICIOUS. 

CONSISTENT matches the requirement: Something is capricious if it changes erratically, which is the opposite of consistent.

• UNPREDICTABLE is a trap - it's a synonym for capricious, but we were looking for an antonym.
• RIGID is also a trap because it's similar in meaning to CONSISTENT, but it's overly strong. Rigid is more extreme than simply consistent.
• Lastly, REGULARITY seems correct, but it's the wrong part of speech. PERMANENT is an adjective, while REGULARITY is a noun. If the answer choice had said "REGULAR," it could have been correct.

The correct answer is B.

Brash is being confident and aggressive in a rude or unpleasant way. Its antonym is polite - having or showing good manners or respect for other people.

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 and stormy are not related.

Therefore, the correct answer is subservient.

The correct answer is B - 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.

The correct answer is B - the facts disprove the conclusion

 If the TV show starts at 8 PM, David has to finish all of his homework in order to be allowed to watch the TV show and David spends 3 hours completing his homework, then David had to be home by 5 PM at the very latest.

The correct answer is D.

The above series has two characteristics that change: The interior shape and the exterior shape.

• The pattern of the outside shapes is - circle, square, and triangle.
• The pattern of the inside shapes is - square, triangle, and circle.

Thus, following this pattern, the answer is a square with a triangle inside.

The correct answer is A.

Think of each figure in the series as comprising four independent square-shaped quarters.

In each step, one square (composed of black and white triangles) changes its orientation. The changes occur counterclockwise: in the first step, the upper-left square changes orientation; in the second, the bottom-left square changes orientation; and so forth.

The change can occur in either direction, indicating a degree of freedom. However, the change must differ from the previous orientation.

• Option 1 is the only option that maintains the two principles described above (per each step):
  A single change takes place
• The change occurs in a specific location (triangle).

Solving Tip – It may be easier to refer to the question mark as the fourth object from the right, in contrast to the regular reference as the second object from the left. As the fourth object, you can try to detect the pattern by inspecting the three right figures first, making an assumption concerning the fourth figure, and then validating the assumption with the help of the leftmost figure.

The alternative is less intuitive and demands a shift in direction– trying to recognize a pattern of change from figures 3 to 5 and then validating the assumption backwards towards figures 2 and 1. However, it is important that you choose a method you find both useful and comfortable to use.

The correct answer is D.

The relationship between figure X and figure Y is as follows: only lines that appears in one of figure X's two rectangles but not the other appear in figure Y's single rectangle.

So, the correct answer must have the same relationship with figure Z.

The correct answer is C.

The relationship between figure X and figure Y is as follows: figure Y is figure X flipped vertically.

The correct answers are 3 and 5.

All frames have a six-sided polygon and 3 white circles. All circles are located in proximity to a corner. However, some are located next to the concave part of the angle, and others are located next to the convex part.

In other words, Frames 3 and 5 have one circle located "behind" a corner, rather than where the corner is "Pointing" at.