Glossary
Raven's Progressive Matrices
Definition
Raven's Progressive Matrices is a nonverbal reasoning test made of matrix puzzles: a grid of figures with one missing, and a set of options to complete it. John C. Raven developed it in the 1930s and first published it in 1938. It is widely used as a measure of fluid reasoning.
Want your own number? The test is 25 visual puzzles, about 12 minutes, no sign-up.
Why it matters for IQ scores
Raven's Progressive Matrices are non-verbal matrix puzzles, widely used as a measure of fluid, culture-reduced reasoning (Wikipedia: Raven's Progressive Matrices). The format proved so useful that matrix items now appear across many tests, including clinical batteries and online tests.
What a matrix puzzle asks
You see a grid, often 3x3, with the last cell missing. The figures change across rows and down columns according to a few rules: a count that goes up, a shape that cycles, a fill that alternates. Your job is to find every rule and pick the option that obeys all of them. “Progressive” refers to the items getting harder as the test goes on.
Common confusions
A matrix score is not a full IQ on its own terms, and a practice set is not the real test. Matrix puzzles test abstract reasoning and fluid intelligence well, but not knowledge or verbal skill. To try the format, take the matrices practice test or read matrix reasoning, explained. For a related nonverbal test with a different scale, see the Cattell Culture Fair test.
The forms at a glance
The classic Raven's comes in three forms: Coloured (CPM, ages 5 to 11), Standard (SPM, ages 6 and up) and Advanced (APM, ages 12 and up). Pearson lists them as untimed, taking about 15 to 30, 20 to 45 and 40 to 60 minutes (Pearson: Raven's brochure). The Standard form has 60 items in five sets of twelve (Bilker et al., 2012). The full guide, with Raven's 2: Raven's Progressive Matrices. To practice, try the matrix practice test.
Try one · Abstract Reasoning
Which tile completes the grid?
Tap the option you think is right, or show the answer.
Show the answer
The missing tile has two outlined circles (option 5).
How to solve it
- Start with the first column and name what changes from tile to tile.
- Every row and every column contains each shape (diamond, circle and square) exactly once.
- Every row and every column contains each number of shapes (two, one and three) exactly once.
- The fill (outline) stays the same in every tile.
- Check the rules on the second column, then apply them to the third.
- So the missing tile has two outlined circles.
That was 1 puzzle. The full test has 25.
Sources
- Raven's Progressive Matrices. Wikipedia. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raven%27s_Progressive_Matrices
- Pearson. Raven's Progressive Matrices brochure (CPM, SPM, APM). 2014. www.pearsonassessments.com/content/dam/school/global/clinical/us/assets/ravens/ravens-brochure.pdf
- Bilker, W. B., Hansen, J. A., Brensinger, C. M., Richard, J., Gur, R. E., & Gur, R. C. (2012). Development of abbreviated nine-item forms of the Raven's Standard Progressive Matrices test. Assessment, 19(3), 354-369. doi:10.1177/1073191112446655 pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4410094/