The Predictive Index Cognitive Assessment (PICA) is a widely used pre-employment test designed to measure a candidate’s cognitive ability and capacity for problem solving.
Employers use the assessment to evaluate how quickly candidates can learn new information, identify patterns, and solve unfamiliar problems. The test is commonly used for roles that require analytical thinking, decision-making, and the ability to process information under time pressure.
Preparing for the Predictive Index cognitive assessment can significantly improve your performance. One of the most effective preparation methods is practicing with sample questions that mirror the style and difficulty of the real exam.
This Predictive Index Cognitive Assessment practice test provides sample questions that simulate the reasoning challenges found in the real assessment.
Practicing these questions can help you:
- become familiar with the test format
- improve your speed and accuracy
- build confidence before taking the real test
What Is the Predictive Index Cognitive Assessment?
The Predictive Index Cognitive Assessment, sometimes referred to as the PI Cognitive Test or PLI assessment, measures a candidate’s ability to learn, adapt, and solve problems quickly.
Unlike traditional knowledge-based tests, the PI cognitive assessment focuses on reasoning ability rather than prior knowledge.
The test evaluates three key cognitive areas:
- Numerical reasoning – solving mathematical problems quickly
- Verbal reasoning – interpreting written information
- Abstract reasoning – identifying patterns and logical relationships
Because the test is extremely time-pressured, employers use it to identify candidates who can process information efficiently and perform well under pressure.
Predictive Index Cognitive Assessment Test Format
Understanding the format of the Predictive Index cognitive assessment is essential for effective preparation.
Typical structure of the test:
- 50 questions
- 12-minute time limit
- mixture of numerical, verbal, and abstract reasoning questions
Candidates must answer questions quickly, often with only 15–20 seconds per question.
Because of this time pressure, practicing timed questions is critical for success.
Predictive Index Cognitive Assessment Practice Questions
Below are 20 Predictive Index cognitive assessment practice questions designed to reflect the style and difficulty of the real PI test.
These questions will help you familiarize yourself with the types of problems that commonly appear in the assessment.
For additional practice questions and answers tailored to the PI Cognitive Assessment, we recommend exploring our-
6 Predictive Index Cognitive Assessment (PLI) Practice Tests
If you wish to practice this test with a timer, check out this Youtube video that features the same questions with an 18-second timer for each one
FREE PI Cognitive Assessment QUESTIONS
- Assumptions:
All A items are green.
Some B items are the same color as A items.
Green items are not for commercial use.
Conclusion:
Some B items are not for commercial use.
If the assumptions are true, is the conclusion
A) Correct
B) Incorrect
C)Cannot be determined based on the information available
2. Which number has the lowest value?
A) 1/6
B)1/3–1/6
C)2/3–1/7
D)1/3–1/4
3.
Which of the figures below comes next in the sequence of figures shown above?
4.
The two figures above share a common feature. One of the figures below does NOT share this same feature.
5. Water is to cup as flowers are to
A) garden
B) roses
C) petals
D)vase
6. Which of the following is the opposite of the word “extensive”?
A) comprehensive
B)symbolic
C) essential
D) restricted
7.
Which of the figures below comes next in the sequence of figures shown above?
8. What is the next number in the sequence below?
4 11 25 53
A)109
B)105
C)96
D)87
9. You are responsible for mailing 80,000 letters. You must mail 25% of the total letters over the next five days. If you plan to mail 1/5 of this amount each day, what is the total amount that you plan to mail each day?
A)4000
B)2000
C)20000
D)5000
10.
11. Assumptions:
Customer 1 and Customer 2 each buy products X and Z.
Product Y is never sold to customers who buy product Z.
Conclusion: Product Y is never sold to customers 1 and 2.
If the assumptions are true, is the conclusion
A) Correct
B) Incorrect
C)Cannot be determined based on the information available
12. What is the next number in the sequence below?
3 7 12 18 25
A)31
B)28
C)29
D)33
13.
14.
The two figures above share a common feature. One of the figures below does NOT share this same feature.
15. You have invited 94 people to a meeting. Of those people, 11 from the North cannot attend, 7 from the South cannot attend, 3 from the East cannot attend, and 11 from the West cannot attend. How many people should you expect to attend the meeting?
A)62
B)64
C)59
D)32
16. Which of the following numbers has the lowest value?
A)0.45
B)3/5
C)1/4
D)0.35
17.
18. Which of the following is the opposite of the word “conclusive”?
A) positive
B) finite
C) ambiguous
D) unusual
19.Tired is to sleep as hungry is to
A)starving
B)eat
C)food
D)cook
20.
For additional practice questions and answers tailored to the PI Cognitive Assessment, we recommend exploring our-
6 Predictive Index Cognitive Assessment (PLI) Practice Tests
If you seek a test simulation closely mirroring the real exam experience, consider visiting our course. Engaging in full-length tests aids in acclimating to time constraints, ultimately improving your score in PICA.
ANSWERS
- Based on the provided assumptions, the conclusion is: A) Correct
2. Correct Answer D)
To find the number with the lowest value among the options provided, let’s compare them one by one.
###Comparing the Options: A) 1/6
B) 1/3–1/6
C) 2/3–1/7
D) 1/3–1/4
###Analyzing Option B: For option B, when we subtract 1/6 from 1/3, we get (1/3) — (1/6) = (2/6) — (1/6) = 1/6. Hence, option B simplifies to 1/6, making it equivalent to option A.
###Analyzing Option C: For option C, when we subtract 1/7 from 2/3, we get (2/3) — (1/7) = (14/21) — (3/21) = 11/21.
###Analyzing Option D: For option D, when we subtract 1/4 from 1/3, we get (1/3) — (1/4) = (4/12) — (3/12) = 1/12.
###Concluding Comparison: Comparing the simplified forms of each option: A) 1/6
B) 1/6
C) 11/21
D) 1/12
Option D, 1/12, has the lowest value among the options provided.
Therefore, the correct answer is:
D) 1/3–1/4
3. Correct Answer B )
There are two rules in this pattern
Rule 1: White elements alternate between having 1 and 0 lines in between them.
So the next figure in the series will have white elements having 0 lines in between them, only B satisfies this
Let’s confirm our answer with Rule 2
Rule 2: Black elements alternate their positions, in the first and third figures black square, is near to white triangle while in Figure 2 white triangle is near to black triangle.
B also satisfies this condition.
A and C satisfy rule 2 but they do not satisfy rule 1.
4. Correct Answer B)
Common Feature: One four-sided sided figure attached to One other figure
Options A, C, and D — All have this common feature
Option B has one four-sided figure attached to 2 other figures.
5. Correct Answer D)
The relationship between “water” and “cup” suggests containment or a vessel used to hold something. Following this analogy:
Water is contained in a cup.
Applying the same logic to the options:
A) Garden — A garden is a space where flowers grow, but it doesn’t directly relate to containment in the same way a cup does.
B) Roses — Roses are a type of flower, but they don’t represent containment.
C) Petals — Petals are part of a flower, but they don’t represent containment either.
D) Vase — A vase is a container typically used to hold flowers. So, just as water is to a cup, flowers are to a vase.
Therefore, the correct answer is:
D) Vase
6. Correct Answer D)
The opposite of the word “extensive” means something that is not broad but rather limited or narrow in scope. Let’s examine each option:
A) Comprehensive — This means covering or including everything, which is similar to extensive, so it’s not the opposite.
B) Symbolic — This refers to something representing or symbolizing something else, which is unrelated to the concept of extent or scope.
C) Essential — This refers to something necessary or fundamental, which is also unrelated to the concept of extent or scope.
D) Restricted — This means limited or confined, which is the opposite of extensive, making it the correct choice.
Therefore, the correct answer is:
D) Restricted
7. Correct Answer B)
In this sequence, in every alternate iteration, a one-sided arrow is added and in the next iteration the same arrow will have both sides as arrows
8. Correct Answer A)
To identify the next number in the sequence provided, let’s analyze the pattern of the sequence:
4, 11, 25, 53
By examining the differences between consecutive numbers:
11–4 = 7
25–11 = 14
53–25 = 28
We notice that the differences between consecutive terms are increasing by a factor of 2 each time (7, 14, 28).
To find the next difference, we multiply the last difference by 2:
28 * 2 = 56
Now, to find the next number in the sequence, we add this difference to the last number:
53 + 56 = 109
Thus, the next number in the sequence is 109.
Therefore, the correct answer is:
A) 109
9. Correct Answer A)
To find out how many letters you plan to mail each day, let’s break down the process:
Total number of letters to be mailed = 80,000
You plan to mail 25% of the total letters over the next five days. Therefore, the number of letters you plan to mail each day is:
25% of 80,000 = (25/100) * 80,000 = 20,000 letters
Since you plan to mail 1/5 of this amount each day:
1/5 * 20,000 = 4,000 letters
So, the total amount that you plan to mail each day is 4,000 letters.
Therefore, the correct answer is:
A) 4000
10. Correct Answer B)
The analogy between the first two figures is both of them have corners and center squares as greyed and others as white, which means both of them have the same type of squares as greyed.
Applying the same analogy, the third figure has corner squares and middle squares as white and rest as greyed out.
So the correct option should also have corner and middle squares as white and rest as grey. Only Option B fits the bill here —
11. Correct Answer A)
Let’s analyze the conclusion based on the given assumptions:
Assumptions:
- Customer 1 and Customer 2 each buy products X and Z.
- Product Y is never sold to customers who buy product Z.
Conclusion:
- Product Y is never sold to customers 1 and 2.
Given that Product Y is never sold to customers who buy Product Z, and both Customer 1 and Customer 2 buy Product Z, the conclusion logically follows that they would not purchase Product Y.
Therefore, the conclusion is:
A) Correct
12. Correct Answer D)
Now, let’s find the next number in the sequence:
Sequence: 3, 7, 12, 18, 25
To find the pattern, let’s look at the differences between consecutive terms:
7–3 = 4
12–7 = 5
18–12 = 6
25–18 = 7
We observe that the differences between consecutive terms are increasing by 1 each time.
To find the next number:
25 + 8 = 33
Therefore, the next number in the sequence is:
D) 33
13. Correct Answer C)
Here , Relation between the first and second figure above is — figure 2 is formed when figure 1 is rotated by 90 degrees and internal element color is changed from black to white.
Hence the analogy is — rotate the entire figure by 90 degrees anticlockwise and change the color of internal element.
For the required figure below —
Applying the analogy above — after 90 degrees anticlockwise rotation and changing the color of internal element , we will get Option C
14. Correct Answer C)
15. Correct Answer A)
To find the number of people who should be expected to attend the meeting, let’s subtract the number of people who cannot attend from the total number of invitees:
Total number of invitees = 94
Number of people who cannot attend:
- From the North: 11
- From the South: 7
- From the East: 3
- From the West: 11
Total number of people who cannot attend = 11 + 7 + 3 + 11 = 32
Now, to find the number of people who should attend the meeting: Total number of invitees — Number of people who cannot attend = 94–32 = 62
Therefore, you should expect 62 people to attend the meeting.
So, the correct answer is:
A) 62
16. Correct Answer C)
Now, let’s identify the number with the lowest value:
A) 0.45
B) 3/5
C) 1/4
D) 0.35
To compare these numbers, let’s convert them to a common form:
A) 0.45
B) 3/5 = 0.6
C) 1/4 = 0.25
D) 0.35
Now, it’s evident that 0.25 is the lowest value among the given options.
Therefore, the correct answer is:
C) 1/4
17. Correct Answer B)
Here, the Relation between the first and second figure above is — figure 2 is, both inner and outer elements of the figures have opposite colors.
Applying the same rule to —
we will get Option B)
18. Correct Answer C)
Opposite of “conclusive”: The word “conclusive” means decisive or serving to settle an issue. Its opposite would be something that is not decisive or clear. Let’s analyze the options:
A) Positive — This is not the opposite of “conclusive.” “Positive” can imply certainty or affirmation, which aligns with the idea of something being conclusive.
B) Finite — This means having limits or bounds, which is not the opposite of “conclusive.”
C) Ambiguous — This means unclear or having more than one interpretation, which is the opposite of “conclusive.”
D) Unusual — This means not common or out of the ordinary, which is not the opposite of “conclusive.”
Therefore, the correct answer is:
C) Ambiguous
19. Correct Answer A)
Analogy: Tired is to sleep as hungry is to: When someone is tired, they typically need to sleep to alleviate their tiredness. Similarly, when someone is hungry, they typically need to do something related to eating to alleviate their hunger. Let’s analyze the options:
A) Starving — This aligns with the level of hunger being described, making it the correct choice.
B) Eat — This is the action taken when someone is hungry, but it’s not directly analogous to “sleep” in the given analogy.
C) Food — This is what someone who is hungry desires, but it’s not the action they would take analogous to “sleep” in the given analogy.
D) Cook — This is an action related to preparing food, but it’s not directly analogous to “sleep” in the given analogy.
Therefore, the correct answer is:
A) Starving
20. Correct Option C)
Here, black circle moves from left lower corner , then right lower corner , then right upper corner. Following the same sequence , it will be next at left upper corner —
Only Option C satisfies that rule , hence C) is the correct option.
Take a Timed Predictive Index Practice Test
If you want to experience the real pressure of the Predictive Index cognitive assessment, try our timed practice test.
This simulation recreates the pace and structure of the actual assessment so you can practice solving questions under realistic conditions.
👉 Take the free Predictive Index practice test here
How to Prepare for the Predictive Index Cognitive Assessment
Success on the PI cognitive assessment depends largely on speed and familiarity with question types.
Effective preparation strategies include:
• practicing timed reasoning questions
• improving mental math and pattern recognition
• learning to skip difficult questions quickly
• building familiarity with numerical, verbal, and abstract reasoning tasks
Consistent practice helps candidates increase their problem-solving speed and accuracy, which is essential for performing well in such a time-pressured assessment.
Predictive Index Cognitive Assessment FAQ
What is a good score on the Predictive Index cognitive assessment?
A good score depends on the role and employer expectations. Generally, higher scores indicate stronger problem-solving ability and faster learning potential.
How difficult is the Predictive Index test?
The test is not necessarily difficult conceptually, but the strict time limit makes it challenging. Many candidates struggle because they cannot complete all questions within the time available.
Can you prepare for the Predictive Index test?
Yes. Practicing reasoning questions and timed aptitude tests can significantly improve performance.
Final Note
The Predictive Index cognitive assessment rewards candidates who can think quickly and recognize patterns efficiently.
Practicing sample questions like those above can help you build the speed and confidence required to perform well on the test.
