Types of Predictive Index: PI Behavioral Assessment vs PI Cognitive Assessment

The Predictive Index (PI) is a tool widely used in the human resources departments of companies in order to optimize their selection and talent management processes. It is composed of two types of assessments that help employers better understand the behavior and skills of candidates or employees.

These two tests are the PI Behavioral Assessment and the PI Cognitive Assessment. Each has specific objectives, and together they provide a complete picture of the candidate's profile and potential fit with the company.

We explore these two types of evaluations in detail below.

PI Behavioral Assessment: What is it?

The PI Behavioral Assessment is a test designed to measure a candidate's personality and behavioral traits in the work environment. It is not a skills test, but an assessment that helps predict how a person will interact with others, how they will make decisions and what work style is most natural for them.

This test is based on four key factors:

• Dominance: Level of assertiveness and control in the workplace.
• Extroversion: Tendency to interact and communicate with others.
• Patience: Ability to maintain a stable and predictable work pace.
• Formality: Degree of compliance with established rules and structures.

Employers use this assessment to determine if a candidate's profile aligns with the needs of a specific position and the company's culture.

Best answers for PI Behavioral Assessment

In the PI Behavioral Assessment there are no "right" or "wrong" answers. Obtaining a favorable result depends on the adequacy between the candidate's answer and the values desired by the company for the job. For that reason, the best recommendations that can be given are:

• Be sincere: Do not try to guess what the company expects from the candidate, just be authentic when answering the questionnaire.
• Maintain consistency of answers: The test looks for patterns in the answers, so it is important that there are no contradictions. Are you an extrovert or an introvert? Patient or impatient? Orderly or chaotic? These are opposite qualities, so if you select one, it would not make sense to choose the opposite.

PI Cognitive Assessment: What is it?

The Predictive Index (PI) cognitive assessment is a test that measures a candidate's ability to learn, adapt and solve problems in the work environment. Unlike the Behavioral Assessment, this test does have right and wrong answers and is designed to assess cognitive skills such as logical reasoning, problem solving and learning speed.

The test consists of 50 multiple-choice questions and has a time limit of 12 minutes. It evaluates five key areas:

• Numerical reasoning (interpretation of data and basic calculations).
• Verbal reasoning (text comprehension and analogies).
• Abstract reasoning (detection of patterns and logical sequences).

This type of assessment is especially relevant for positions that require analytical and problem-solving skills in changing environments.

PI Cognitive Assessment: Sample questions

Before conducting the PI Cognitive Assessment, it is advisable to familiarize yourself with the type of questions that may appear in the assessment.

Numerical sequences

A classic example of a question consists of following numerical series. For example:
What is the correct number in the following sequence? 1, 3, 5, 7, X...

1. 8
2. 9
3. 10
4. 11

Interpretation of texts

Another common type of question is the logical interpretation of texts. Based on a statement, a question is asked that denotes reading comprehension and reasoning skills:

• Sally laughs every time the bells ring.
• The bells rang twice yesterday.

Conclusion: Sally laughed only twice yesterday.

This conclusion is:

1. Correct
2. Incorrect
3. Cannot be determined based on the information provided.

Visual comprehension and analysis

Some questions test visual analysis skills, such as:

The two figures above are constructed based on 3 of the shapes defined below. Indicate which shape does not fit the construction of the shapes above:

If you think that Predictive Index can be useful for your company, do not hesitate to contact us to get a free demo or to solve any of your doubts. The leading tool in human resources selection is waiting for you to optimize the talent of your organization!