The PI Behavioral Assessment is a personality test that assesses where you are on the scale when it comes to 4 major and 1 minor personality traits that are important in the workplace. This is similar to the Big Five theory which assess 5 personality traits on a broader scale. This preparation pack includes 3 example tests and 2 study guides to get you familiarized with personality type questions. Our personality prep is based on the Big Five, and while the style of question is different, this preparation is included in our pack as a bonus to help acquaint you with personality style questions and give you an idea of where your strengths and weaknesses may lie.
Tests: 11 Questions: 730
The PI Cognitive Assessment, previously know as the PLI or Predictive Index Learning Indicator test, is a cognitive assessment exam that is used by employers worldwide, administered to measure potential employees’ skills and abilities against those required for the given position. It empowers employers to feel confident that they are hiring capable, strong, skilled, top talent to fill open positions and help their companies grow.
A standard version of the exam would contain 50 questions, which are to be answered within a 12 minute time period. This assessment was designed to help employers learn more about job applicants than would typically be gleaned from a standard resume. Anyone can make themselves look good on paper; the PI Cognitive Assessment puts qualifications to the test.
What Should You Expect?
There are three topics, numerical reasoning, verbal reasoning, and non-verbal reasoning. Each of these have their own subcategories. Let’s give them a quick rundown.
- Numerical Reasoning: This part of the test consists of number series, math problems, and word problems. Number series questions typically ask you to find a connection or pattern within a numerical sequence and fill in missing numbers, testing for logical reasoning skills. Math problems are more general and used to simply test aptitude. Word problems are typically math related questions that test your reading comprehension by asking a math question in the form of a short text.
- Verbal Reasoning: Here, applicants answer questions having to do with analogies, formal logic, and antonyms. Analogies are another form of word problem, used to test your ability to find relationships between ideas. Formal logic questions present you with assumptions and a conclusion, testing for logic and reasoning skills. Antonyms also test reasoning and comprehension skills.
- Non-Verbal Reasoning: The goal here is to test spatial awareness, logical reasoning, and inductive reasoning. Spatial awareness questions would typically present you with images and ask for you to identify one that does not belong or have a similar feature to the others. Nonverbal analogies present you with images and ask you to look for relationships. Inductive questions present you with images, ask you to find the pattern between them, and then identify the next in the sequence.
The overall goal of this test is more geared towards the learning process, rather than the questions themselves. When considering how to prepare for the test, this is the most important point of focus. While yes, the answers to your questions are important, the process is more important.
How to Prepare for the PLI Test
As with all learning, practice and study is what actually works. It is important to approach this test with confidence and familiarity. Get to know the subject matter so the test is not surprising when you are faced with ‘the real thing’, so to speak. Take as many practice tests as you can to prepare.
We offer practice tests on all the subjects listed above to help you succeed. Start getting to know what kinds of questions to expect. Learn about your weaker subjects so you can focus on studying those more.
Timed testing inherently puts additional pressure on the test taker. Whether the questions seem easy or difficult, it’s completely natural to worry about running out of time. Train yourself pacing. Start timing yourself to give you an idea of how long these types of tests will take you naturally and look for points to improve your timing. Practice with a timer and improve your comfort of being timed as well as improve your time allowed per question.
Don’t Get Stuck
We find it best to train yourself not to get stuck on one question. That’s one of the most common ways people end up wasting time. If you come across a question that takes more than 10 seconds (give or take) to comfortably answer, skip it, move on, and come back to it later with your leftover time. Not only will this help you along through the rest of the assessment, but it will also allow you the opportunity to look at the question again with fresh eyes. You’ll also feel less pressure under your 12 minute time limit because you’ve already completed the rest and just have the few you skipped to address.
It’s All About the Learning Process
50 questions in 12 minutes is challenging, and that’s exactly the point. Remember what we mentioned earlier, the test is about the learning process. The answers themselves are not the priority. The test is intended to see how fast you learn- whether you are a fast learner, slow learner, or steady learner. The way we learn is indicative of how we would handle everyday work challenges. After all, we’re not going to always have the answer to every question at work. We’re not going to be able to solve every problem. However, just like this test, the job is a process. What’s important is how you approach it, how you adapt.
Practice, Practice, Practice
In order to practice and familiarize yourself with the test material, you can purchase our preparation package, which includes sample PLI assessments with questions that simulate the real thing. Our package is uniquely designed to put you in the right mindset, under the right conditions so you’ll enter your real assessment feeling confident, calm, prepared, and ready to absolutely succeed.
When preparing for your PLI, you may notice that a lot of the practice questions are taking you down avenues you have not been down academically in many years. Becoming familiar with these subjects, focusing on and improving on your weak points, learning to work with and not against your time limit, and of course, adapting your behavior to your challenges are the keys to succeeding on your PLI assessment, taking you one step closer to the position of your dreams.
PI Cognitive Assessment FAQs
- How does the PI Cognitive Assessment correlate with job performance?
The PI Cognitive Assessment is designed to predict how well a candidate will perform in a role by measuring cognitive abilities essential for learning, problem-solving, and adapting to new situations, which are directly linked to on-the-job success. - Can my PI Cognitive Assessment score improve with experience in a specific job role?
While the test measures your innate cognitive abilities, which tend to be stable over time, familiarity with job-related tasks can make you more efficient in your role, potentially leading to better practical performance even if your cognitive score remains the same. - How do companies typically use the PI Cognitive Assessment results in the hiring process?
Companies often use the PI Cognitive Assessment results to screen candidates early in the hiring process or as one of several criteria in making final hiring decisions, particularly for roles requiring quick thinking and adaptability. - Can I see my PI Cognitive Assessment results after taking the test?
Access to your results typically depends on the employer’s policy. Some employers may share your scores with you, along with feedback on what the results mean for your potential role within the company. - How does the PI Cognitive Assessment accommodate different learning styles?
The PI Cognitive Assessment is designed to be neutral regarding learning styles, focusing on core cognitive abilities rather than specific knowledge or experience, making it fair for individuals with different educational backgrounds. - What happens if a candidate scores exceptionally high or low on the PI Cognitive Assessment?
Extremely high or low scores on the PI Cognitive Assessment provide employers with insights into a candidate’s potential fit for certain roles. High scores might indicate suitability for complex, dynamic roles, while low scores might suggest roles that are more structured and routine. - How do companies integrate PI Cognitive Assessment results with other selection tools?
Many companies integrate the PI Cognitive Assessment results with behavioral assessments, interviews, and technical skill tests to form a comprehensive view of a candidate’s suitability for a role, ensuring a well-rounded evaluation process. - Can the PI Cognitive Assessment be tailored to specific job roles?
Yes, employers can customize the interpretation of the PI Cognitive Assessment results to align with the cognitive demands of specific job roles, ensuring that the assessment is relevant to the particular challenges of the position. - Is there a difference between the PI Cognitive Assessment and the PLI (Predictive Learning Indicator)?
The PI Cognitive Assessment was previously known as the Predictive Learning Indicator (PLI). The test has since been rebranded but maintains the same focus on assessing cognitive abilities crucial for workplace success. - What feedback do companies typically provide after a PI Cognitive Assessment?
Depending on the company’s policy, candidates might receive feedback on their cognitive strengths, areas for development, and how their cognitive profile aligns with the demands of the job they applied for.