PI Cognitive Assessment Guide + Free Full-Length Test

Test Interface

PI Cognitive Test Invitation Email

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

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).

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Test Instructions and Technical Details

Before the actual assessment, you will be shown several basic instructions by PI:

• You must complete the test in one sitting.
• PI recommends taking the test on a computer and not a mobile device.
• No points are reduced for wrong answers.
• The use of calculators is not allowed.

Once you are done with the instructions and samples, you will take the assessment.

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The PI Cognitive Test Screen

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

• There will be 10 screens, each containing 5 questions.
• The top bar will track the number of pages completed.
• You will be able to track the time in minutes only (not seconds).
• Each question will have 4 answer options (except for Verbal Analysis with 3 answer options).
• You can move back and forth between pages.
• You do not have to complete all questions on a page to move on to the next.

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.

Good luck!

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Assumptions:

• All Type C clocks are square.
• Square clocks are not valuable.
• Some Type D clocks are the same shape as Type C clocks.

Conclusion:

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.

Which number has the lowest value?

1. 1/3
2. 2/3 – 1/6
3. 1/3 – 1/9
4. 1/9

Jam is to jar as salt to

1. bar
2. bag
3. cup
4. sugar

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

1. tired
2. meticulous
3. idle
4. done

What is the next number in the sequence below?

6, 13, 27, 55

1. 110
2. 111
3. 152
4. 82

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?

1. 1500
2. 300
3. 150
4. 75

Assumptions:

• Company A and Company B produce products X and Y.
• Product Z is never produced by companies that produce product X.

Conclusion:

• Product Z is never produced by companies A and B.

If the assumptions are true, is the conclusion:

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

What is the next number in the sequence below?

11, 14, 18, 23, 29

1. 37
2. 34
3. 32
4. 36

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?

1. 14
2. 7
3. 9
4. 11

Which of the following numbers has the lowest value?

1. 0.2
2. 1/4
3. 0.5 – 1/5
4. 3/5

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

1. uncertain
2. weak
3. clea
4. quiet

Weak is to power as despaired is to

1. might
2. hope
3. truth
4. fairness

What is the next number in the sequence below?

7, 2, 10, 13, 24

1. 33
2. 37
3. 38
4. 41

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

1. bold
2. cautious
3. dangerous
4. foolish

What is the next number in the sequence below?

-2, 3, -4, 5, -6

1. -7
2. 7
3. -5
4. 8

Author is to book as composer is to

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

Which number has the lowest value?

1. 4/3
2. 7/6
3. 9/8
4. 10/9

Assumptions:

• All employees in Store 1 attend the sales conference.
• Some employees in Store 1 attend the marketing conference. Some employees who attend both conferences are in Store 2.

Conclusion:

• All employees who attend the sales conference and also attend the marketing conference are in Store 1.

If the assumptions are true, is the conclusion:

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

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

1. 28
2. 10
3. 24
4. 21

Assumptions:

• Some managers from the main branch work in New York and the rest work in Boston.
• Managers from various branches work in Boston.

Conclusion:

• Some managers from the main branch work in the same city as managers from other branches.

If the assumptions are true, is the conclusion:

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

What is the next number in the sequence below?

4, 5, 7, 11

1. 13
2. 15
3. 17
4. 19

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

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

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

1. 20
2. 5
3. 5
4. 18

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

Word is to letter as sentence is to

1. word
2. paragraph
3. text
4. read

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

1. 18
2. 6
3. 36
4. 24

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

1. rodent
2. rascal
3. snake
4. orbit

Assumptions:

• There is no manager that did not attend the sales workshop.
• Everyone who has attended the sales workshop is an outstanding employee.

Conclusion:

• All managers are outstanding employees.

If the assumptions are true, is the conclusion:

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

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

Wine is to grapes as flour is to

1. sugar
2. bread
3. earth
4. wheat

What is the next number in the sequence below?

1, 4, 9, 16, 25

1. 34
2. 36
3. 40
4. 52

Wind is to air as stream is to

1. river
2. water
3. breeze
4. flow

What is the next number in the sequence below?

12, 15, 20, 28, 41

1. 56
2. 58
3. 66
4. 62

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

1. compound
2. diverse
3. elementary
4. false

Which number has the lowest value?

1. 2/9
2. 2/3 – 4/9
3. 15
4. 1/3

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?

1. 87
2. 88
3. 5
4. 5

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

This guide is going to give you a step-by-step process to:

• Take your raw score from the Free PI Test and find your PI test score and percentile.
• Compare your PI Cognitive score with your required Job Target Score (the score you need for a perfect cognitive match).
• Learn the PI preparation and test-taking technique to give you 40% more solving time.
• Now that you have your desired score, we highly recommend using JobTestPrep’s accurate PI Cognitive prep course to get it. Read more about it in the Preparation section.

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.

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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:

Source.

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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.

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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.

Source.

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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:

Source.

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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%.

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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.

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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:

• A: 1/9 < 1/3, so D < A.
• C: 1/3 – 1/9 = 3/9 – 1/9 = 2/9, so D < C.
• D: 2/3 – 1/6 > 1/3 (since 1/3 = 2/3 – 1/3), so D < B.

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:

• The arrow rotates 90 degrees counterclockwise (When the arrow is horizontal, it is hidden behind the rectangle).
• The black rectangle moves one step to the right.

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:

• 13 – 6 = 7
• 27 – 13 = 14
• 55 – 27 = 28

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.

55 + 56 = 111.

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:

• 14 – 11 = 3
• 18 – 14 = 4
• 23 – 18 = 5
• 29 – 23 = 6

Therefore, the next difference should be 7.

29 + 7 = 36.

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:

• B: 0.2 < 0.25 (1/4), so A < B.
• C: 0.5 – 1/5 = 0.4 – 0.2 = 0.3, so A < C.
• D: 1/5 < 3/5, so A < D.

Question 17

The correct answer is 2.

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

• Black turns white.
• Grey turns black.
• White turns grey.

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:

• 10 = 7 + 2 + 1
• 13 = 2 + 10 + 1
• 24 = 10 + 13 + 1

Therefore, the next term equals:

13 + 24 + 1 = 38.

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:

• Terms in odd places are negative.
• Terms in even places are positive.

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).

• 4/3 is 1 + 1/3
• 7/6 is 1 + 1/6

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.

Therefore:

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:

• 4 + 1 = 5
• 5 + 2 = 7
• 7 + 4 = 11

Therefore, the difference between the last term and the next should be 8.

11 + 8 = 19.

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:

15 / 6 = 2.5

Therefore, making 8 cars will take 20 days:

8 x 2.5 = 20.

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)].

640 / 32 = 20.

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:

1. A = 12 + B
2. B = C + 6.

Plugging II) into I) and A = 36:

36 = 12 + C + 6

C = 18.

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.

• The 1^st assumption can be simplified to: All managers attended the sales workshop.
• The 2^nd assumption can be simplified to: Only outstanding employees attended the sales workshop.

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:

• The black circle moves one step clockwise on every step.
• The grey circle moves one step counterclockwise on every step.

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:

• 1^2 = 1
• 2^2 = 4
• 3^2 = 9
• 4^2 = 16
• 5^2 = 25

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:

• 15 – 12 = 3
• 20 – 15 = 5
• 28 – 20 = 8
• 41 – 28 = 13

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.

41 + 21 = 62.

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.

• A: 2/9 ~ 0.22, so C < A.
• B: 2/3 – 4/9 = 6/9 – 4/9 = 2/9 ~ 0.22, so C < B.
• D: 1/3 ~ 0.33, so C < D.

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:

((4 x 86) + 96) / 5 *

However, we can look at this in the following way:

• The score of the new student is 96 = 86 + 10.
• As such, when calculating the new average, the additional 10 points over the other students’ average score of 86 will be “evenly distributed” between everyone.

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.

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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.

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Authentic Mock Tests

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

• Same types of questions
• Time limit
• Level of difficulty

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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.

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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.