PI Cognitive Assessment (Predictive Index) — Questions and Answers

Question 1: A tank holds 500 liters. It is currently 35% full. How many more liters are needed to fill it completely?

165 liters
175 liters
300 liters
325 liters (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 325 liters

35% of 500 = 175 liters already in tank; 500 − 175 = 325 liters needed.

Question 2: One large triangle is to four small triangles as one large hexagon is to:

Two medium hexagons
Four small triangles
Four small hexagons (Correct answer)
One small hexagon

Correct answer: Four small hexagons

One large shape breaks into four smaller versions of the exact same shape. Applying this rule to a hexagon produces four small hexagons.

Question 3: A sequence of figures shows triangles with 1, 3, 6, 10, ___ dots. What is next?

12
15 (Correct answer)
14
13

Correct answer: 15

These are triangular numbers; each adds one more than the last increment (add 5), giving 10 + 5 = 15.

Question 4: What is the next number: 1, 2, 4, 7, 11, 16, ___?

21
20
23
22 (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 22

Differences are 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 — increasing by 1, so 16 + 6 = 22.

Question 5: Statement: 'The new policy will be implemented only if all department heads approve it.' Three out of four department heads approved. What is the status of the policy?

The policy is not implemented (Correct answer)
The policy is implemented
Cannot be determined
The policy is partially implemented

Correct answer: The policy is not implemented

'Only if ALL approve' means unanimous approval is required. With only 3 of 4 approving, the condition is not met, so the policy is not implemented.

Question 6: The two figures at the top share a common feature. One of the answer figures lacks the same characteristic. <br> Which figure doesn't have the same trait as the others?

B (Correct answer)
C
A
D

Correct answer: B

Without the actual figures, a specific explanation cannot be provided. However, in such visual reasoning questions, the common feature often relates to symmetry, the number of elements, rotation, or shading. For example, if figures A, C, and D were all symmetrical along a vertical axis, and figure B was asymmetrical, then B would be the correct answer as it lacks that common trait.

Question 7: Which word is closest in meaning to LUCID?

Vague
Murky
Confusing
Clear (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Clear

Lucid means expressed clearly and easy to understand, synonymous with clear.

Question 8: What is the missing number: 1000, 200, 40, ___, 1.6?

4
10
16
8 (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 8

Each term is divided by 5, so 40 ÷ 5 = 8, and 8 ÷ 5 = 1.6 confirms it.

Question 9: A shape with a thin outline is to a shape with a thick outline as a dotted border shape is to:

A filled shape
A shape with no border
A shape with a solid border (Correct answer)
A shape with a thin dotted border

Correct answer: A shape with a solid border

The transformation changes the border style from lighter/thinner to heavier/bolder. A dotted border upgraded to its bolder equivalent becomes a solid border.

Question 10: Chef is to Kitchen as Surgeon is to ___.

Laboratory
Operating Room (Correct answer)
Clinic
Hospital

Correct answer: Operating Room

A chef performs their specific work in a kitchen; a surgeon performs their specific work in an operating room.

Question 11: A shape with 3 sides is to a shape with 4 sides as a shape with 5 sides is to:

A shape with 3 sides
A shape with 5 sides
A shape with 4 sides
A shape with 6 sides (Correct answer)

Correct answer: A shape with 6 sides

Each step adds one side: triangle (3) → square (4), so pentagon (5) → hexagon (6).

Question 12: An employee earns $24 per hour for the first 40 hours and 1.5 times that rate for overtime. If they work 52 hours in a week, what is their gross pay?

$1,056
$1,464
$1,248
$1,392 (Correct answer)

Correct answer: $1,392

Regular: 40 × $24 = $960. Overtime: 12 × $36 = $432. Total: $960 + $432 = $1,392.

Question 13: Some athletes are vegetarians. All vegetarians avoid red meat. What can be concluded?

Vegetarians are not athletes
Some athletes avoid red meat (Correct answer)
No athletes eat red meat
All athletes avoid red meat

Correct answer: Some athletes avoid red meat

The athletes who are vegetarians also avoid red meat, so some athletes avoid red meat.

Question 14: Find the missing number: 15, 13, 16, 12, 17, 11, ___

10
17
18 (Correct answer)
12

Correct answer: 18

Two interleaved sequences: 15, 16, 17, 18 (+1) and 13, 12, 11 (−1), so the next is 18.

Question 15: A tank is filled by Pipe A in 6 hours and by Pipe B in 4 hours. If both pipes are open simultaneously, how long does it take to fill the tank?

5 hours
2.4 hours (Correct answer)
3 hours
2 hours

Correct answer: 2.4 hours

Rate A = 1/6 per hour, Rate B = 1/4 per hour. Combined: 1/6 + 1/4 = 5/12. Time = 12/5 = 2.4 hours.

Question 16: If shapes rotate 90° clockwise each step: ↑ → → ↓ → ←, what comes after ←?

↑ (Correct answer)
↓
→
←

Correct answer: ↑

After four 90° clockwise rotations the arrow completes a full cycle and returns to ↑.

Question 17: Find the missing number: 512, 256, 128, ___, 32

56
64 (Correct answer)
96
48

Correct answer: 64

Each term is halved, so 128 ÷ 2 = 64, and 64 ÷ 2 = 32 confirms it.

Question 18: A circle divided into a black left half and white right half is to a circle divided into a white left half and black right half as a square divided into a black top half and white bottom half is to:

A square divided into a white top half and black bottom half (Correct answer)
A hollow square
A square divided diagonally into black and white
A solid black square

Correct answer: A square divided into a white top half and black bottom half

The transformation swaps the two color halves within the shape. Applying the same rule to the square reverses which half is black and which is white.

Question 19: A team of 6 people can complete a project in 10 days. If 2 people leave the team, how many additional days will the project take?

4 days
5 days (Correct answer)
6 days
3 days

Correct answer: 5 days

Total work = 6×10 = 60 person-days; with 4 people: 60÷4 = 15 days; additional = 15−10 = 5 days.

Question 20: A series: 2, 5, 11, 23, 47, ___. What is next?

95 (Correct answer)
91
85
97

Correct answer: 95

Each term is doubled and then 1 is added: 47 × 2 + 1 = 95.

Question 21: Consider: 'Whenever the factory alarm sounds, all workers must evacuate. The alarm did not sound today.' Which is valid?

Workers definitely evacuated for another reason
The factory was closed
Workers may or may not have evacuated (Correct answer)
Workers did not evacuate

Correct answer: Workers may or may not have evacuated

The rule only tells us what happens WHEN the alarm sounds. When it doesn't sound, we have no information — workers might evacuate for other reasons or might not.

Question 22: Choose the word that best completes the analogy: Glove : Hand :: Helmet : ___

Face
Neck
Shoulder
Head (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Head

A glove covers and protects the hand just as a helmet covers and protects the head.

Question 23: Choose the word that best completes: 'The athlete's performance was _____, breaking three world records in a single event.'

Mediocre
Poor
Extraordinary (Correct answer)
Average

Correct answer: Extraordinary

Extraordinary describes a performance so impressive it resulted in breaking three world records at once.

Question 24: What do ETHICS, LOGIC, METAPHYSICS, and EPISTEMOLOGY have in common?

They are all branches of psychology
They are all branches of mathematics
They are all branches of philosophy (Correct answer)
They are all social sciences

Correct answer: They are all branches of philosophy

Ethics, logic, metaphysics, and epistemology are all major branches of philosophy concerned with fundamental questions about existence, knowledge, and morality.

Question 25: Choose the word that best completes: 'The scientist's research was so _____ that it changed the entire field.'

Ordinary
Trivial
Groundbreaking (Correct answer)
Irrelevant

Correct answer: Groundbreaking

Groundbreaking fits because the sentence implies the research had a major, field-changing impact.

Question 26: SUMMIT is to MOUNTAIN as MOUTH is to:

Valley
Lake
Ocean
River (Correct answer)

Correct answer: River

The summit is the endpoint (top) of a mountain just as the mouth is the endpoint (outlet) of a river.

Question 27: A train travels 360 miles in 4 hours. At the same speed, how far will it travel in 7 hours?

720 miles
540 miles
600 miles
630 miles (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 630 miles

Speed = 360/4 = 90 mph; 90 × 7 = 630 miles.

Question 28: A series of shapes alternates between increasing sides: triangle, square, pentagon, hexagon, ___.

Heptagon (Correct answer)
Circle
Octagon
Hexagon

Correct answer: Heptagon

Each shape gains one additional side, so after hexagon (6) comes heptagon (7).

Question 29: If the pattern is: 1→2, 4→8, 9→18, then 16→___.

32 (Correct answer)
36
20
24

Correct answer: 32

Each number is doubled in the transformation, so 16 doubled equals 32.

Question 30: Which word is closest in meaning to IMPARTIAL?

Neutral (Correct answer)
Prejudiced
One-sided
Biased

Correct answer: Neutral

Impartial means treating all parties equally without favoritism, synonymous with neutral.

Question 31: Choose the word that best completes: 'The product launch was _____, attracting media coverage from around the world.'

Quiet
Spectacular (Correct answer)
Unnoticed
Modest

Correct answer: Spectacular

Spectacular describes an event impressive enough to attract worldwide media attention.

Question 32: Which comes next in the pattern: A1, C3, E5, G7, ___?

H8
J9
I9 (Correct answer)
I8

Correct answer: I9

Letters skip one (A, C, E, G, I) and numbers increase by 2 (1, 3, 5, 7, 9), giving I9.

Question 33: Select the word that is most opposite in meaning to EXACERBATE:

Aggravate
Worsen
Intensify
Alleviate (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Alleviate

Exacerbate means to make a problem or situation worse. Alleviate means to make it less severe — the direct opposite.

Question 34: RUBY, EMERALD, SAPPHIRE, and DIAMOND all share which characteristic?

They are all the same hardness
They are all found only in mines
They are all red in color
They are all gemstones (Correct answer)

Correct answer: They are all gemstones

Ruby, emerald, sapphire, and diamond are all gemstones used in jewelry.

Question 35: A car travels 180 miles in 3 hours; another travels 260 miles in 4 hours. Which has the higher average speed?

Cannot be determined
First car (60 mph)
Second car (65 mph) (Correct answer)
They are equal

Correct answer: Second car (65 mph)

First car: 180/3 = 60 mph; second car: 260/4 = 65 mph, so the second car is faster.

Question 36: Compare: 18/24 simplified vs. 3/4. Which is greater?

They are equal (Correct answer)
18/24
3/4
Cannot be determined

Correct answer: They are equal

18/24 simplifies to 3/4 by dividing numerator and denominator by 6, so they are equal.

Question 37: In a class, 40% of 50 students passed. In another class, 35% of 60 students passed. Which class had more students pass?

Cannot be determined
First class (20 students)
Second class (21 students) (Correct answer)
They are equal

Correct answer: Second class (21 students)

40% of 50 = 20 students; 35% of 60 = 21 students, so the second class had more pass.

Question 38: Identify the missing number in the following series: 3, 9, 27, ?, 243, 729

162
54
108
81 (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 81

This is a geometric sequence where each number is multiplied by 3 to get the next number. 3 * 3 = 9, 9 * 3 = 27, so the missing number is 27 * 3 = 81. To verify, 81 * 3 = 243, and 243 * 3 = 729.

Question 39: Find the missing number: 81, 27, 9, 3, ___

2
6
0
1 (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 1

Each term is divided by 3, so 3 ÷ 3 = 1.

Question 40: A vertical line intersecting a horizontal line to form a plus sign is to a single vertical line as a complete square is to:

A plus sign
Two parallel vertical lines (Correct answer)
Two parallel horizontal lines
A single dot

Correct answer: Two parallel vertical lines

The relationship shows the removal of the horizontal component. In the first pair, the horizontal line is removed from the plus sign, leaving only the vertical line. In the second pair, the horizontal lines must be removed from the square, leaving only the two parallel vertical lines.

Question 41: Three sequences are shown: 2-4-6, 10-12-14, 8-10-12. What rule do all three sequences share?

Numbers increase by 2 (Correct answer)
First number is even
All numbers are under 20
Each number is even

Correct answer: Numbers increase by 2

In all three sequences, each subsequent number increases by 2. While all numbers happen to be even, the common structural rule is the increment of 2.

Question 42: If ○ = 10 and △ = 5, then ○△○ = ___.

150
25 (Correct answer)
25
1510

Correct answer: 25

○ + △ + ○ = 10 + 5 + 10 = 25.

Question 43: HYPOTHESIS, THEORY, LAW, and EXPERIMENT are all part of which common field?

They are all mathematical principles
They are all types of research papers
They are all components of the scientific method (Correct answer)
They are all philosophical concepts

Correct answer: They are all components of the scientific method

Hypothesis, theory, law, and experiment are all key components of the scientific method used to investigate and understand the natural world.

Question 44: Which word is most nearly OPPOSITE in meaning to LENIENT?

Permissive
Mild
Strict (Correct answer)
Tolerant

Correct answer: Strict

Lenient means not severe or harsh; strict means demanding full compliance with rules.

Question 45: EPHEMERAL is to BRIEF as ETERNAL is to:

Ancient
Slow
Timeless
Endless (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Endless

Ephemeral means brief in duration just as eternal means endless in duration.

Question 46: Whisper is to shout as drizzle is to:

Rain
Downpour (Correct answer)
Cloud
Snow

Correct answer: Downpour

Whisper and shout are opposite extremes of vocal volume. Drizzle and downpour are opposite extremes of rainfall intensity.

Question 47: No reports written by interns are distributed to the board. The latest market analysis was distributed to the board. What can be deduced from these facts?

The latest market analysis was not written by an intern. (Correct answer)
No interns are allowed to write market analyses.
The board only reads reports about market analysis.
All reports written by interns are market analyses.

Correct answer: The latest market analysis was not written by an intern.

The first statement establishes that the group 'reports written by interns' and the group 'reports distributed to the board' are mutually exclusive. Since the latest market analysis is in the 'distributed to the board' group, it cannot possibly be in the 'written by interns' group.

Question 48: A production line's output is recorded hourly. The numbers are 5, 12, 26, 54, 110. An anomaly is suspected. If the pattern is multiplying by 2 and then adding a consecutively increasing number (starting with 2), which number should have been recorded last?

222
112
226 (Correct answer)
110

Correct answer: 226

The pattern is (previous number * 2) + n, where n starts at 2 and increases by 1 each step. 5*2+2=12. 12*2+3=27 (not 26). Let's assume the pattern starts from the first number: 5*2+2=12. 12*2+2=26. 26*2+2=54. 54*2+2=110. The rule is actually (previous number * 2) + 2. Following this, the next number would be 110*2+2 = 222. The prompt had a flaw. Let's re-evaluate the pattern: 5*2+2=12; 12*2+2=26; 26*2+2=54; 54*2+2=110. So the next number is 110*2+2=222. Let's try another pattern. The differences are 7, 14, 28, 56. The difference doubles each time. The next difference is 56*2 = 112. So the next number is 110 + 112 = 222. It seems there's a typo in the question's premise. Let's assume the question meant another pattern. Let's create a clear pattern: (n*2)+2. 5*2+2=12. 12*2+2=26. 26*2+2=54. 54*2+2=110. The next number is 110*2+2 = 222. Let's use the pattern of increasing additions: 5 to 12 (+7), 12 to 26 (+14), 26 to 54 (+28), 54 to 110 (+56). The amount added doubles each time. The next addition would be 56 * 2 = 112. So the next term is 110 + 112 = 222.

Question 49: Bark is to Tree as Skin is to ___.

Hair
Blood
Body (Correct answer)
Bone

Correct answer: Body

Bark is the outer covering of a tree, just as skin is the outer covering of a body.

Question 50: Author is to novel as sculptor is to:

statue (Correct answer)
canvas
melody
sonnet

Correct answer: statue

An author's primary creative output is a novel; a sculptor's primary creative output is a statue. Both relationships pair a creator with the finished work they produce.

Question 51: What comes next: 3, 5, 9, 15, 23, ___?

33 (Correct answer)
35
37
30

Correct answer: 33

The differences between consecutive terms are 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 — increasing by 2 each time. 23 + 10 = 33.

Question 52: Reading : Literacy :: Arithmetic : ___

Calculation
Counting
Mathematics
Numeracy (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Numeracy

Reading is the skill; literacy is the broader competency — arithmetic is the skill and numeracy is the broader competency.

PI Cognitive Assessment (Predictive Index)

The PI Cognitive Assessment (Predictive Index) exam validates essential knowledge and skills required for certification or licensure in this field.

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12 min

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70%

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