Top Predictor of Job performance
PI Cognitive Assessment
The only scientifically validated cognitive assessment designed to predict job performance and learning speed in 12 minutes
TRUSTED BY 10,000+ COMPANIES TO DELIVER OUTSTANDING RESULTS
What is The Predictive Index Cognitive Assessment?
The Predictive Index Cognitive Assessment is a 12-minute assessment of an individual’s general cognitive ability. The PI Cognitive Assessment was built and validated exclusively for use in the workplace, providing insight into a person’s capacity to learn, adapt, and grasp new concepts. The PI assessment indicates how fast an individual can be expected to acquire new knowledge.
50 Cognitive Reasoning Questions
in just 12 Minutes
- Measures a candidate’s learning potential at work
- Scores reflects speed and accuracy
- Assessment shows ability to handle complex cognitive demands
How does The Predictive Index Cognitive Assessment work?
Step 1
Measure how candidates handle complexity
Candidates complete a quick, 50 question cognitive assessment. Their score shows how effectively a candidate can think through problems, absorb new information, and manage the mental complexity required by the role—key drivers of on-the-job success.
Step 2
Make hiring decisions backed by science
Pair the PI Cognitive and Behavioral Assessments to evaluate a candidate’s ability to handle the role’s complexity and how they’re likely to show up at work. See how adding the Behavioral Assessment leads to 40% improvement in job satisfaction.
What does The Predictive Index Cognitive Assessment measure?
Is the Cognitive Assessment scientifically validated?
Measure cognitive ability with precision using assessments built on decades of I-O psychology research and extensive validation studies, backed by over 70 years of science and millions of data points
PI assessments are proven to predict job performance with accuracy, based on 383+ validity studies conducted across industries and job types.
Every PI assessment is monitored for fairness and bias to ensure equitable hiring decisions that meet the latest industry and legal standards.
PI assessments meet rigorous standards of workplace testing, including certifications from independent reviewers and alignment with EEOC and SIOP best practices.
See how the PI Cognitive Assessment increased speed to proficiency
After implementing the Predictive Index Cognitive Assessment, Encore Companies slashed the time to proficiency from 90 to 60 days. Encore Companies also credits the cognitive assessment with helping identify candidates with a higher likelihood of success in their role.
Frequently asked questions
The PI Cognitive Assessment is a 12-minute, 50-question timed test designed to measure a candidate’s ability to learn, adapt, and solve problems in a work environment. Unlike traditional IQ tests, our assessment evaluates cognitive agility—how quickly someone can process new information—which is a leading predictor of ramp time and long-term success in many roles.
This assessment evaluates three areas of general mental ability: verbal reasoning, numerical reasoning, and abstract reasoning. It does not require job-specific knowledge, formal education, or any test preparation. Instead, it’s designed to fairly measure learning agility in a role-neutral, non-academic format. View sample questions here.
The assessment measures key cognitive traits: learning speed, problem-solving, adaptability, and the ability to handle complexity. These skills directly impact performance in roles where ramp time, change management, or complex thinking are required.
Cognitive ability is one of the most reliable predictors of job success. Many hiring teams struggle to assess critical thinking and adaptability through interviews alone. This assessment offers objective data to identify fast learners and reduce the risk of hiring candidates who may not perform well in cognitively demanding roles.
The PI Cognitive Assessment is role-neutral, non-academic, and validated to be fair across age, gender, ethnicity, and language. It complies with EEOC and GDPR standards. It doesn’t measure memory or education—only learning ability, which remains relatively stable across age groups.
No, candidates cannot cheat or use AI on the Predictive Index Cognitive Assessment. The Assessment uses a linear- on-the-fly (LOFT) design to ensure each candidate receives a unique set of items. Additionally, the cognitive assessment incorporates anti-cheating measures during the 12-minute tests, such as blurring the screen and blocking copy-paste if a candidate navigates away. These non-disruptive security enhancements ensure that candidate scores are a true and valid reflection of their abilities.
PI’s Cognitive Assessment includes localized questions, supports proctored and unproctored formats, and meets global compliance standards like GDPR. It is validated across thousands of global clients, including organizations in regulated industries. Our tests support reasonable accommodations through the ADA such as offering 18-minute and 24-minute variations of the assessment