IBM publishes little about Kenexa reasoning test formats. This guide separates what is confirmed from what is not, and shows how to prepare the underlying skills.
IBM lists a Kenexa CAT Reasoning Abilities assessment, with sample reports named for what appear to be logical, numerical and verbal versions. IBM does not publish question counts, timings or pass marks on the pages checked. Practise the three reasoning families and follow your own invitation.
Kenexa, now part of IBM, has produced several assessment products over the years, which is why searches return so many different descriptions. The public IBM pages I could read are mostly support articles for administrators, not candidate test specifications. As a result, question counts, time limits and pass marks for Kenexa reasoning tests are not publicly confirmed by IBM. This guide says so, rather than repeating figures from forums that disagree with each other.
Employers and publishers change their processes, and what you receive can vary by role, country and year, so treat your own invitation as the final word.
| Detail | Finding as of 12 October 2026 |
|---|---|
| Reasoning tests | IBM's sample-report page lists a "CAT Reasoning Abilities Assessment" with separate sample reports. The file names suggest logical, numerical and verbal versions, but IBM's page does not spell this out. |
| Format, timing, adaptivity | Not stated on the IBM pages read. Not publicly confirmed. |
| Practice tests | For its Prove It skills tests, IBM says it provides no practice tests apart from typing practice and Microsoft tutorials; any other practice is arranged by your recruiter or test administrator. |
| If you are given a practice test | IBM warns that a practice test will never score. |
| Pass marks | Not publicly confirmed; set by the employer. |
The Prove It range is mainly about job skills such as typing and office software, and is not a reasoning test, so it is outside the scope of this page.
Several test-prep sites describe Kenexa reasoning tests as having a numerical test based on tables and charts, a verbal test judging statements as true, false or cannot say, and a logical test with shape sequences, sometimes with questions getting harder as you progress. Treat this as general background rather than fact. IBM does not confirm it, and these sites report different timings and question counts from each other.
The useful takeaway is the families of question, which are the same families found across the industry. The best way to confirm the details for your own test is the invitation and any practice link from your recruiter.
The examples below are original practice items written for this site. They are not IBM or Kenexa questions.
A shape-sequence item shows a row of figures changing in a regular way and asks which option completes it. List each attribute (shape, shade, size, position) and see which changes follow a rule from one step to the next. The abstract reasoning guide explains how to do this efficiently.
ReasonEra helps with the three families above. Upload a screenshot of a practice question, choose Quick Verify for the answer or Tutor Explanation for the reasoning, and learn why the method works. The free numerical, verbal and logical practice tests are a good first step. ReasonEra is not affiliated with IBM or Kenexa. A free account includes 3 free trials, and a 14-Day Pass costs 49 € for unlimited use for 14 days.
Employers and test publishers change their processes, so check your own invitation for the final word.
ReasonEra exists to teach the method behind each answer, but the rules of a graded test come from the employer, not from us, so read your invitation and keep ReasonEra for preparation.
Kenexa is an IBM assessment family that includes a CAT Reasoning Abilities assessment and job-skills tests. Which one you take depends on the employer.
IBM does not publish the length on the pages reviewed, so it is not publicly confirmed. Your invitation or recruiter will state the time.
IBM says it provides no practice tests for its Prove It skills tests beyond typing and Microsoft tutorials. A recruiter can arrange a practice session, and IBM notes practice sessions are never scored.
No pass mark is published. Employers set their own standards, which can differ by role.
ReasonEra offers practice for numerical, verbal and logical question types in general. It does not reproduce Kenexa items and is not affiliated with IBM.
Choose Tutor Explanation when a question stumps you, or Quick Verify when you want to test yourself.
Paddle acts as the payment provider; cancellations and refunds are covered in the Refund & Cancellation Policy.
Notes. The facts on this page come from public sources, as listed above. No employer or test publisher named here has endorsed or reviewed this page.