PI Cognitive Assessment

How to use the Cognitive Assessment

This article applies to all users in the PI2 platform

PI2 is the latest version of the Predictive Index software.
If you are using a legacy version of PI, this article will
likely not match your experience.
Which product version do I have?

Cognitive data serves as one of the strongest predictors of on-the-job performance, and can serve as a valuable supplement to behavioral data. At its core, the PI Cognitive Assessment measures a person’s ability to learn, adapt, and grasp new information.

It is not an IQ test, but rather a scientifically validated measurement that can be applied alongside other traditional criteria (such as resumes and interviews) to inform the evaluation of an individual employee, candidate, or colleague, as it pertains to a particular role.

How does it work?

First, set your Cognitive Target for the role in question. The Cognitive Target is a guide for measuring someone’s ability to handle the essential demands of the role. Different jobs require different skills, just as they require different behaviors.


To set the Cognitive Target for a role, answer 16 questions on its basic requirements. Scores for the Cognitive Assessment are based solely on the number of questions a participant answers correctly.

Using the Cognitive Assessment and evaluating results

We’ll show you your candidate’s results alongside your Cognitive Target. If their results meet the target for the role, they should be able to perform the necessary requirements.

You can use the Cognitive Target for roles that require:

  • Learning new skills
  • Adjusting to new scenarios in the workplace
  • Processing information at a quicker pace

It is not recommended that you use the Cognitive Assessment for:

  • Roles that don’t have potential for advancement
  • Positions with minimal complexity
  • Instances in which a candidate’s disability compromises their access to or completion of the assessment in the allotted time.

FAQ

I can’t find a candidate’s downloadable Cognitive Report. Is that available?
We’re working on bringing a downloadable version of the Cognitive Report to PI2. However, we want to ensure we’re taking the time to deliver best-in-class data protection. This includes supporting GDPR compliance efforts and ensuring privacy for assessment takers.

We look forward to sharing updates on downloadable Cognitive Reports in the future.
Where can I find a breakdown of a candidate’s Cognitive Score?
In the legacy software, the Cognitive Report had “subscores” (Verbal, Numeric, and Abstract Reasoning) you could look at to better understand a candidate’s PI Cognitive Assessment results.

We know many clients enjoyed that level of specificity, and are exploring bringing subscores to PI2 in 2025.

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