PI Cognitive Assessment: Detailed Guide

The PI (Predictive Index) Cognitive Assessment was developed in 2010 to evaluate three cognitive abilities – numerical, verbal, and abstract – to help employers assess the rate at which a person can learn.

This test is often used in recruitment as a screening test for roles that need critical thinking as well as the ability to react quickly to change.

In this guide, you will learn more about what the test is like, the questions you will face, and the best way you can prepare for the assessment.

What Is the PI Cognitive Assessment?

The Predictive Index Behavioral Assessment is one of the most well-established and scientifically proven measures of behavior tendencies in the workplace – and the company behind it has also created both the Cognitive Assessment and the Job Assessment to offer employers different ways of evaluating suitability for a role.

The premise of Predictive Index is based around the experience of Arnold Daniels, a flight navigator in WWII who had a team that logged more than 30 missions without a single combat casualty. His experience in creating effective teams led him to study workplace psychology at Harvard once the war was over.

The PI Cognitive Assessment is a quick test that measures cognitive ability – known to be one of the best predictors of job performance. It’s a challenging test that needs fast thinking – and lots of practice and preparation to succeed.

PI Cognitive Assessment Structure and Content

Test Format

The PI Cognitive Assessment is a timed test, where you will have just 12 minutes to answer as many questions as possible. There are 50 randomized questions in the assessment.

There are three different types of questions, all based on cognitive abilities rather than learned knowledge or anything job-specific.

These categories are:

• Verbal Reasoning
• Numerical Reasoning
• Abstract Reasoning

Time Pressure

One of the most important parts of this assessment is the very tight time limit. Rarely will any candidate complete all 50 questions in the allocated time; they would have to answer a question every four seconds or thereabouts to reach that total.

The time pressure reflects the changing needs of a fast-paced role, and a successful candidate is one who can answer questions on different subjects efficiently, moving quickly from one area to another and not spending too long thinking.

Types of Questions on the Predictive Index Cognitive Assessment

Numerical Reasoning

Numerical ability is not just about being able to complete math problems, it is also about using numerical data to reach logical conclusions.

In the numerical questions, you might be asked to solve a word problem, complete an equation, or use data from tables or graphs to answer a question.

These will be based on high-school math knowledge; you might not need advanced calculus to answer them, but you do need to make sure that you have a good grasp of things like percentages, fractions, and decimals, as well as basic arithmetic.

Verbal Reasoning

Verbal reasoning questions will evaluate your understanding of written information. Questions in this area might consist of sentence completion and synonym selection. Or you might be presented with a passage of text to read and understand before being asked a question about the content.

You will need a good grasp of language, spelling, and grammar to answer these questions.

Abstract Reasoning

Abstract reasoning questions are often the least familiar for test takers, and they are a great way to evaluate a candidate’s rate of learning – which is why they are used in this assessment.

You will be given a drawing, a series of figures or shapes, or something nonverbal to work with. You will need to predict the next in the series, or maybe the odd one out, or a shape that is missing from the multiple-choice options presented.

Predictive Index Cognitive Assessment Example Questions

Verbal Reasoning

This section assesses the candidate’s ability to understand and analyze written information.

Example Question 1:

Choose the word that best completes the sentence:

‘The officer had to be ______ when addressing the community concerns to maintain trust.’

a) apathetic
b) authoritative
c) diplomatic
d) combative 

The correct answer is: c) diplomatic

This question tests the candidate's ability to choose a word that fits contextually within the sentence.

Example Question 2:

What is the main idea of the following statement?

‘Community policing is an approach that fosters a partnership between law enforcement agencies and the communities they serve.’

a) Community policing is outdated.
b) Law enforcement does not need community input.
c) Law enforcement and communities should work together.
d) Community policing is only about enforcing laws.

The correct answer is: c) Law enforcement and communities should work together.

This question assesses the candidate’s ability to identify the main idea in a written statement.

Numerical Reasoning

This section evaluates the candidate’s ability to understand and work with numerical data.

Example Question 1:

A police department responded to 120 calls in one week. If they responded to 15 calls on Tuesday, how many calls did they respond to on the other days?

a) 100 calls
b) 105 calls
c) 110 calls
d) 115 calls

The correct answer is: b) 105 calls

This question tests basic subtraction skills (120 – 15 = 105).

Example Question 2:

If a patrol car travels at an average speed of 60 miles per hour, how long will it take to cover a distance of 180 miles?

a) 2 hours
b) 3 hours
c) 4 hours
d) 5 hours

The correct answer is: b) 3 hours

This question evaluates the candidate’s understanding of the relationship between speed, distance, and time (Distance = Speed × Time; Time = Distance/Speed).

Abstract Reasoning

This section assesses the candidate’s ability to recognize patterns, logical sequences, and relationships between shapes and figures.

Example Question 1:

Which shape completes the series?

The correct answer is: c) 

This pattern introduces changes in both size and rotation, providing a classic sequence for cognitive assessments. The correct answer (c) would follow the sequence by having a large, unrotated square in the fifth position.

Example Question 2:

If the first figure is a triangle, the second figure is a square, and the third figure is a pentagon, which figure comes next in this sequence?

a) Hexagon
b) Circle
c) Octagon
d) Triangle

The correct answer is: a) Hexagon

This question evaluates the ability to recognize a pattern based on the number of sides of the shapes.

Preparation Tips for the PI Cognitive Assessment

Familiarize Yourself With the Test Format

As these tests are all about speed, one of the best things you can do is to prepare using similar practice tests.

While you cannot necessarily learn these natural abilities and aptitudes, you can improve your score. You can do this by becoming more familiar with the types of questions being asked and answering them as quickly as possible.

You can also use the practice predictive index cognitive assessment answers to determine your weak areas, which will help you to focus your study.

Practice Numerical and Verbal Skills

Cognitive skills are things we use every day without really thinking about it, but focused daily practice can make a difference.

While you can look online for recruitment specific tests and revision materials, there are many ‘brain training’ apps that are specifically designed to help you enhance your numerical and verbal skills – all from the convenience of your smartphone.

Improve Time Management

Time is critical in this test, and one of the best ways you can improve your score is to work to a time limit when you are practicing.

The Predictive Index Cognitive Test is only marked on correct answers and there is no penalty for a wrong answer, so don’t be tempted to waste time with a tricky question – just make your best guess and move on.

Stay Calm Under Pressure

This is a test designed to put you under pressure. You are not expected to answer all the questions in the test; in fact, that is something that very rarely happens.

All you need to do is focus on answering as many questions as you can – correctly. Make sure you are still taking the time to read the questions properly, so you don’t miss the right answer.

What to Expect on the Predictive Index Cognitive Assessment Day

Before the Test

Predictive Index Cognitive Assessment practice tests and preparation will help you feel more confident in the run up to test day. This includes using predictive index cognitive assessment answers from your practice test to determine your weak areas, which will help you to focus your study.

Many people feel nervous, but it is important that you get adequate rest, make sure you have had a healthy meal and are hydrated.

If you are taking the Predictive Index Cognitive Test remotely, make sure you are somewhere that you won’t be disturbed so that you can concentrate.

During the Test

Read each question carefully. Time management is the most important part of this test; the questions themselves are not meant to be the most challenging part – but you need to move efficiently through the assessment.

Make a best guess if the question is hard and keep going – 12 minutes is not a lot of time to answer.

After the Test

Your score is used by the prospective employer or recruitment team as part of a wider application process to evaluate your suitability for the role you have applied for.

Your score will show them whether you have the capacity for learning and the cognitive ability that they are looking for. The recruiter will let you know what the next steps are based on your results.

Frequently Asked Questions

How is the PI Cognitive Assessment scored?

You are scored on the test based on the number of correct PI Cognitive Assessment answers you give in the 12-minute time limit.

There are no penalties for wrong PI Cognitive Assessment answers, so if you don’t know it is safe to guess and move on.

Can I retake the PI Cognitive Assessment if I don’t pass?

As the PI Cognitive Assessment is used as part of the recruitment process for many different roles, it depends on the recruiter’s rules as to whether you will be allowed to retake the assessment. It’s best to speak with the recruiter to find out more.

How can I best improve my time management for the test?

Practice makes perfect – and the best way to improve your time management is to take similar tests with a timer.

The more comfortable you are with moving quickly through different activities and changing your mindset from verbal to numerical to abstract, the easier you will find it on the day.

Are calculators allowed during the numerical reasoning section?

You’re not allowed to use a calculator for the numerical questions. They are not challenging in terms of the math content.

So as long as you have a good grasp on the basics of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division, as well as percentages, fractions, and decimals, you should be okay.

What is considered a good score on the PI Cognitive Assessment?

A good score on the Predictive Index Cognitive Test will depend on what the recruiter is asking for. The average score is about 20, with a score of 40 being considered within the 98th percentile and an exceptionally good score.

Final Thoughts

Recruitment teams use tools like the PI Cognitive Assessment as a simple, unbiased method of evaluating the suitability of a candidate for a role where fast thinking and strong cognition are important.

The test is fast, with multiple types of questions to be answered, which means you need to have a good grasp of numerical, verbal, and abstract reasoning skills, as well as the ability to work quickly under pressure to be successful.

As with many of these assessments, you can give yourself the best opportunity for success by preparing thoroughly, taking Predictive Index Cognitive Assessment practice tests, and really understanding what the recruiters are looking for in a successful candidate.