Cognitive ability test practice for employment
Abstract, diagrammatic, spatial and logical reasoning. 20 original questions, 10-minute timer, $21 one-time (or all 4 tests for $59). Complete figure matrices and series, work out what each rule box does, pick the rotated shape, and solve short logic puzzles. Every question is explained after you submit.
Practice for employer aptitude tests; not an official assessment or a hiring guarantee.
One section of your Job Readiness Score.
This is a practice test, not a validated psychometric assessment. The question formats are similar to those used in common employer aptitude tests. This is an independent practice test written by us, not an official test of any employer or test publisher and not affiliated with one. Scores are a count of correct answers, not an IQ score, and do not predict job performance.
You have access to this test on this device. Start or resume it below.
Get the cognitive ability test
Cognitive ability test
$21 one-time
- 20 questions, 10-minute timer
- 3 attempts
- Score, breakdown and explanations
All 4 tests
$59 one-time
- Cognitive ability: 20 questions, 10 minutes
- Numerical reasoning: 20 questions, 15 minutes
- Verbal reasoning: 20 questions, 10 minutes
- Psychometric test: 20 questions, 10 minutes
- 3 attempts per test
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What is in the test
- Figure matrices, series and an odd one out
- Diagram rule boxes and shape rotation
- Logic: number and letter series, a code, an ordering puzzle, a syllogism and a conditional
| Question type | Questions |
|---|---|
| Matrices | 4 |
| Series | 3 |
| Rule boxes | 3 |
| Rotation | 3 |
| Number series | 1 |
| Letter series | 1 |
| Codes | 1 |
| Odd one out | 1 |
| Ordering | 1 |
| Syllogisms | 1 |
| Conditionals | 1 |
How it works
- Buy this test for $21, or all 4 for $59.
- Confirm and start. After checkout you come back here; tick the box that access starts now, then press Start when you are ready.
- 10 minutes, 20 questions. One question at a time with a navigator, so you can skip and come back.
- Review. Your score, a breakdown by question type, and every question with the correct answer and why. Up to 3 attempts.
Other tests: Numerical reasoning test (15 minutes), Verbal reasoning test (10 minutes), Psychometric test (10 minutes).
Free cognitive ability test questions and answers
Eight worked practice questions of the kinds used in cognitive ability tests for employment: number and letter series, codes, ordering puzzles, odd one out and logic. The paid test adds figure matrices, shape rotation and rule boxes. These samples are not part of the paid test or the free 10-question test.
Question 1
What number comes next? 2, 6, 12, 20, 30, …
- 40
- 42
- 44
- 48
Show answer and explanation
Answer: B, 42. The gaps grow by 2: +4, +6, +8, +10, so the next gap is +12 and 30 + 12 = 42. (Each term is also n × (n + 1): 1×2, 2×3, 3×4 …)
Question 2
What number comes next? 3, 8, 6, 11, 9, 14, …
- 11
- 12
- 16
- 17
Show answer and explanation
Answer: B, 12. Two steps alternate: +5, −2, +5, −2, +5, so the next step is −2 and 14 − 2 = 12. When a series goes up and down, look for two alternating rules.
Question 3
Which pair comes next? AZ, BY, CX, …
- CW
- DV
- DW
- EW
Show answer and explanation
Answer: C, DW. The first letter moves forward through the alphabet (A, B, C, D) and the second moves backward from Z (Z, Y, X, W). Next is DW.
Question 4
In a code, each letter is replaced by its position in the alphabet and the numbers are added, so CAT = 3 + 1 + 20 = 24. What is DOG?
- 24
- 25
- 26
- 27
Show answer and explanation
Answer: C, 26. D = 4, O = 15, G = 7, so 4 + 15 + 7 = 26. Write the alphabet positions down quickly (or remember E = 5, J = 10, O = 15, T = 20) rather than counting each time.
Question 5
Four files are uploaded one after another. The budget file is uploaded before the payroll file. The invoice file is uploaded last. The tax file is uploaded immediately before the payroll file. Which file is uploaded first?
- Budget
- Payroll
- Tax
- Invoice
Show answer and explanation
Answer: A, Budget. Invoice is 4th. Tax must come immediately before payroll, so tax and payroll take two of places 1 to 3 next to each other. Budget must come before payroll, so the only order that works is budget, tax, payroll, invoice.
Question 6
Which number is the odd one out? 16, 25, 36, 48, 64
- 16
- 25
- 48
- 64
Show answer and explanation
Answer: C, 48. 16, 25, 36 and 64 are square numbers (4², 5², 6², 8²). 48 is not.
Question 7
Every remote employee at a firm receives a laptop. Sam received a laptop from the firm. Which statement MUST be true?
- Sam is a remote employee.
- Sam is not a remote employee.
- Sam may or may not be a remote employee.
- Sam works in the office.
Show answer and explanation
Answer: C, Sam may or may not be a remote employee.. The rule says remote employees get laptops; it does not say only remote employees do. Office staff could get laptops too, so we cannot conclude Sam is remote. Assuming the reverse of a rule is a common trap.
Question 8
A meeting repeats every 3 days. The first meeting is on a Monday. On which day of the week is the 5th meeting?
- Friday
- Saturday
- Sunday
- Tuesday
Show answer and explanation
Answer: B, Saturday. The 5th meeting is 4 × 3 = 12 days after the first. 12 days = 1 week + 5 days, and Monday + 5 days = Saturday.
Questions
How long is the cognitive ability test?
20 questions in 10 minutes, so about 30 seconds per question. The clock starts when you press Start and keeps running if you reload or close the page. At 0:00 your answers are submitted automatically.
Can I go back and change answers?
Yes. Use the question navigator to jump to any question and change your answer until you submit or the time runs out. Unanswered questions count as wrong; there is no penalty for guessing.
Do I get the same questions each attempt?
Yes. Each test has a fixed set of 20 questions, so a second or third attempt partly measures memory. Use the explanations to learn the methods, then retake it to practice your pace.
Do I need any special knowledge?
No. Every question can be answered from the information given. You do not need business, math or design knowledge.
Is this a real employer test?
No. The question formats are similar to those used in common employer aptitude tests. This is an independent practice test written by us, not an official test of any employer or test publisher and not affiliated with one. It has not been validated or normed, so treat your score as practice feedback only.
Do you show an IQ score or a percentile?
No. The cognitive, numerical and verbal tests show how many questions you answered correctly, a breakdown by question type and the time you used. The psychometric test shows a work-style profile instead of a score. There is no external norm group behind these tests, so we do not compare you with the general population. A comparison with other Remotely Scaled test-takers will be added once enough people have taken a test, and only then.
Are the questions copied from real tests?
No. Every question was written by us for these tests. We based them on the publicly described formats of common aptitude tests (question types and timing), not on any real test's questions.
What do I get when I buy?
Each test is 20 questions with a countdown timer (cognitive ability test 10 minutes, numerical reasoning test 15 minutes, verbal reasoning test 10 minutes, the psychometric test 10 minutes). You can take each test up to 3 times. After each attempt of the cognitive, numerical or verbal test you see your score, a breakdown by question type, and every question with the correct answer and a short explanation; the psychometric test gives you a work-style profile. Prices: $21 each for the cognitive, numerical and verbal tests, $29 for the psychometric test. All four together are $59 instead of $92 (you save $33).
How do I pay, and is it a subscription?
It is a one-time payment through a secure Stripe checkout, not a subscription. Prices show in euros if you are in the EU and in US dollars everywhere else. Stripe picks the checkout currency from your location, so it can differ from the one shown here. After paying you return to this site and can start right away.
Can I use my tests on another device?
Yes. After checkout we email a personal access link to the address you used. Open it on any device. If you lose it, enter your checkout email on the test page and we will send it again.
Is my data stored?
We store your purchase reference, the time you started your access, how many attempts you used and your answers for scoring. We do not store your name. Your checkout email is used by Stripe and to send your access link. See the privacy policy.
What is on a cognitive ability test for employment?
Most employer cognitive tests mix number and letter series, logic puzzles, figure patterns (matrices, rotation) and short verbal or numerical items under a tight time limit. Our test and the free samples cover these types.
Is a cognitive ability test the same as an IQ test?
No. Both measure reasoning, but our tests give a count of correct answers, not an IQ score, and they have not been validated or normed against a population.