Does Practice Actually Improve Your PI Score? What Research Shows

When candidates learn they'll be taking the PI Cognitive Assessment, a common question is: "Does practicing actually help?" The short answer, backed by decades of research, is yes — and the effect is larger than most people expect.

The Key Studies

Hausknecht et al. (2007)

This is the landmark meta-analysis on practice effects for cognitive ability tests. Analyzing data from 134,436 candidates across multiple studies, the researchers found:

• Average improvement of 0.26 standard deviations on retest
• This translates to moving from the 50th percentile to approximately the 71st percentile
• Gains were observed even without coaching or feedback — simply retaking the test produced improvement
• Practice effects were consistent across different types of cognitive tests

Scharfen et al. (2018)

This more recent meta-analysis refined the findings by examining how gains change with repeated practice:

• The largest gains occur between the 1st and 2nd attempt
• Meaningful improvement continues through the 3rd attempt
• Gains continue with each additional attempt, especially when using varied question sets
• Using similar (not identical) test forms still produces practice effects

Why Practice Works

Practice effects on cognitive tests come from three sources:

1. Test Familiarity

The first time you encounter a new question format (e.g., shape analogies or number series), part of your mental effort goes toward understanding what the question is asking. After practice, you immediately recognize the format and can focus entirely on solving the problem.

2. Strategy Development

With practice, you develop efficient approaches: checking differences before ratios in number series, stating analogy relationships as sentences, tracking one attribute at a time in figural questions. These strategies are transferable to new questions of the same type.

3. Anxiety Reduction

Test anxiety impairs cognitive performance. Research shows that familiarity with the test format significantly reduces anxiety, freeing up working memory resources for actual problem-solving.

How Much Practice Is Optimal?

The research is clear: the more you practice, the better you perform. Each session builds pattern recognition, sharpens your timing, and reduces anxiety. The key is practicing with varied, unique questions so you develop genuine reasoning ability — not just memorized answers. Aim for 10–20 practice tests per day over 3–5 days leading up to your real test.

Does the Type of Practice Matter?

Yes. Research distinguishes between:

• Identical-form practice: Taking the exact same test again (strongest effect, but not realistic for most candidates)
• Parallel-form practice: Taking different questions in the same format (strong effect — this is what good practice tests provide)
• General coaching: Tips and strategies without practice questions (weakest effect, but still helpful)

The most effective preparation combines parallel-form practice under timed conditions with review and strategy development between sessions.

What About "Coaching" vs. "Practice"?

Some research distinguishes between coaching (instruction on strategies) and practice (hands-on repetition). Both help, but practice produces larger effects. The ideal approach combines both: learn the strategies first, then apply them in realistic timed conditions.

The Bottom Line

Practice is the most evidence-based way to improve your PI Cognitive Assessment score. Two to three sessions of realistic, timed practice — followed by careful review — can meaningfully boost your performance. The research is clear: candidates who prepare outperform those who don't.