Question 1Multiple choice
What is the OPPOSITE of the word in capitals? 'The kitchen was SPOTLESS after the party.'
The cognitive ability test format
The publisher's cognitive ability test has 50 questions and exactly 12 minutes. It is a test of problem-solving, not knowledge, and many people do not finish.
| Questions | 50 |
|---|---|
| Time | Exactly 12 minutes |
| Time per question | 14.4 seconds at an even pace |
| Calculator | None, and no dictionary or other resources |
| Answer options | Five on each sample question |
What the questions ask
The publisher lists the question types as simple math, basic logic, language comprehension, spatial reasoning and pattern identification. Its own samples ask for the earliest of five dates, an analogy, the chart that fits a list of numbers, the next number in a series and the opposite of a word in a sentence.
Questions become harder as the test goes on, so the early ones are where quick points are.
The rest of the assessment
The cognitive test is often one part of a longer hiring assessment. The publisher's current version has three sections and takes about 35 minutes: the timed cognitive test, then a 58-item motivation section and a 150-item personality section, both untimed.
Only the cognitive section has right and wrong answers.
How our practice tests match it
Each of our three timed tests has 50 original questions, five options each, on a 12-minute clock, easier first. Our mix is 15 verbal, 14 numerical, 11 logic and 10 spatial and pattern questions. The publisher does not state a mix, so that part is ours.
Try 3 questions
Question 2Multiple choice
What number comes next? 2, 6, 18, 54, ?
Question 3Multiple choice
Which time is latest? 12:10 p.m., 11:50 a.m., 1:15 p.m., 11:05 a.m., 12:45 p.m.
Next step
Questions people ask
How many questions are on the cognitive ability test?
The publisher's cognitive ability test has 50 questions, to answer in exactly 12 minutes.
Can I use a calculator?
No. The publisher's instructions say the questions are answered without a calculator, dictionary or other resources, and only a small number involve calculations.
Do I need to finish all 50 questions?
No. The publisher says many people do not finish all of the questions and test takers are not expected to.
Is the test proctored?
The publisher says the time limit makes proctoring unnecessary. Employers send the test as part of an application.