PiCAT Practice

Arithmetic Reasoning: A car travels 180 miles in 3 hours. If it continues at the same speed

how long will it take to travel 300 miles?

Mathematics Knowledge: Simplify: (𝑥² − 4𝑥 + 4) ÷ (𝑥 − 2)

𝑥 − 2

General Science (Biology): Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of living things?

Inability to adapt to environment

Electronics Information: In a series circuit with three identical resistors

the voltage drop across each resistor is:

Mechanical Comprehension: A block and tackle system with 2 supporting ropes has an ideal mechanical advantage of:

2

Arithmetic Reasoning (Percent): A shirt normally costs $40 but is on sale for 25% off. How much does the shirt cost on sale?

$30

Word Knowledge: “Obsolete” most nearly means:

outdated

Paragraph Comprehension: According to the passage

one major result of the Renaissance was:

Mathematics Knowledge (Geometry): The area of a rectangle is 48 square units. If its length is 8 units

what is its width?

General Science (Chemistry): What is the pH of a neutral solution (pure water)?

7

Electronics Information: If a circuit has a current of 2 A and a resistance of 10 Ω

what is the voltage?

Mechanical Comprehension (Forces): Which of the following best describes Newton’s 2nd Law of Motion?

Force = mass × acceleration.

Arithmetic Reasoning (Proportions): A blueprint shows a scale of 1 inch = 3 feet. If a wall is drawn as 4 inches on the blueprint

how long is the actual wall?

Word Knowledge: “Concise” most nearly means:

brief

General Science (Physics): If a car maintains a constant velocity

which statement is TRUE?

Mathematics Knowledge (Algebra): Solve for 𝑥: 2𝑥 + 3 = 11

4

Auto & Shop: The component in a car engine that ignites the air-fuel mixture is the:

spark plug

Arithmetic Reasoning (Rate Problem): If a pipe fills a tank in 6 hours

how much of the tank is filled in 2 hours?

Electronics Information: Which electronic component stores charge?

Capacitor

Mechanical Comprehension (Torque): Torque is calculated by multiplying force by:

distance from the pivot

Word Knowledge: “Inevitable” most nearly means:

unstoppable

Arithmetic Reasoning (Fractions): A recipe calls for 3/4 cup of sugar. If you want to make half the recipe

how much sugar do you need?

General Science (Biology): Which organelle is responsible for energy production in most eukaryotic cells?

Mitochondrion

Paragraph Comprehension: What is the main idea of the passage: “Many nocturnal animals have developed heightened senses of smell and hearing to compensate for low-light environments. This adaptation allows them to find prey and avoid predators in darkness.”

Some animals adapt to darkness by enhancing other senses

Mathematics Knowledge (Exponents): Simplify: (2³) × (2²)

2⁵

Arithmetic Reasoning (Interest): If you deposit $200 in a bank account that earns 5% simple interest annually

how much interest will you earn in 2 years?

General Science (Earth Science): Which layer of the Earth is composed primarily of liquid iron and nickel?

Outer core

Electronics Information (Power): If a device operates at 10 V and uses 2 A of current

how many watts of power does it consume?

Mechanical Comprehension: A gear train has a driving gear with 10 teeth and a driven gear with 20 teeth. The gear ratio is:

1:2

Word Knowledge: “Adversary” most nearly means:

enemy

Arithmetic Reasoning: If the ratio of cats to dogs in a shelter is 3:2 and there are 30 dogs

how many cats are there?

Mathematics Knowledge: Simplify: (3²)³

3⁶

General Science (Physics): When a solid changes directly into a gas (without becoming liquid)

the process is called:

Electronics Information: In a parallel circuit with two resistors

the total resistance is:

Mechanical Comprehension: If Gear A (10 teeth) meshes with Gear B (10 teeth)

the gear ratio is:

Arithmetic Reasoning (Work Rate): If one worker can paint a wall in 6 hours

and another worker can paint the same wall in 3 hours

Word Knowledge: “Perpetual” most nearly means:

constant

Paragraph Comprehension: What is the passage primarily discussing: “Researchers found that students who studied in short

frequent intervals retained information better than those who studied in fewer

Mathematics Knowledge (Geometry): A right triangle has legs of 6 and 8. What is the hypotenuse?

10

General Science (Chemistry): The smallest unit of an element that retains the element’s properties is the:

atom

Electronics Information (Ohm’s Law): A 12 V battery supplies 2 A of current. What is the circuit’s resistance?

6 Ω

Mechanical Comprehension (Gravity): Which of the following statements is TRUE regarding gravity near Earth’s surface?

All objects accelerate at the same rate

Arithmetic Reasoning (Percent Increase): An item’s price increases from $50 to $60. What is the percent increase?

20%

Word Knowledge: “Affluent” most nearly means:

wealthy

General Science (Biology): The process by which plants convert light energy into chemical energy is called:

photosynthesis

Mathematics Knowledge (Algebra): Solve for 𝑥: 3𝑥 − 1 = 8

3

Auto & Shop: What tool is used to measure the gap in spark plugs?

Feeler gauge

Arithmetic Reasoning (Simple Interest): You invest $500 at an annual simple interest rate of 4%. How much total interest is earned after 3 years?

$60

Electronics Information: A diode typically allows current to flow in:

only one direction

Mechanical Comprehension (Pulley): A single fixed pulley:

changes the direction of the force only

Word Knowledge: “Mitigate” most nearly means:

lessen

Arithmetic Reasoning (Proportions): If 4 pencils cost $1.00

how many pencils can you buy with $5.00?

General Science (Earth Science): Which layer of the atmosphere is closest to Earth’s surface?

Troposphere

Paragraph Comprehension: The main point of the passage: “Baking requires precise measurements and careful timing. Even a slight change in temperature or ingredient proportions can drastically affect the final product.” is:

Baking requires accuracy to achieve good results

Mathematics Knowledge (Factorization): Factor: 𝑥² + 5𝑥 + 6

(𝑥 + 2)(𝑥 + 3)

Arithmetic Reasoning (Word Problem): A train leaves station A at 1:00 PM at 40 mph. Another train leaves station B at 2:00 PM at 50 mph

traveling toward station A. If the stations are 180 miles apart

General Science (Physics): What is the formula for kinetic energy?

𝐾𝐸 = 1/2 𝑚𝑣²

Electronics Information (Power): If a circuit uses 15 A at 2 V

how many watts are consumed?

Mechanical Comprehension (Hydraulics): If a hydraulic press has a small piston area of 2 in² and a large piston area of 10 in²

and a force of 10 lb is applied to the small piston

Word Knowledge: “Erratic” most nearly means:

unpredictable