Raven's Progressive Matrices Test Raven's Progressive Matrices Simultaneous Rule Application 5 â Questions and Answers
Question 1: A matrix has two rules: the number of sides of the shape decreases by one per column (starting at 6 sides), AND the shape's shading rotates through a 3-step cycle per row. Row 1, Col 1 is a lightly shaded hexagon. What is Row 2, Col 3?
- A medium-shaded square (Correct answer)
- A dark-shaded triangle
- A lightly shaded square
- A medium-shaded triangle
Correct answer: A medium-shaded square
Column 3 gives a shape with 4 sides (6â2=4, a square), and row 2 advances shading one step to medium, yielding a medium-shaded square.
Question 2: If a solver correctly applies rule 1 but misidentifies rule 2 in a two-rule matrix, the probability of selecting the correct answer from 8 choices (standard APM format) is approximately:
- 1 in 8 (random chance), since the misidentified rule does not constrain the choice correctly (Correct answer)
- 1 in 2, since one rule is still correctly applied
- 1 in 4, since half the options are eliminated by rule 1 alone
- 1 in 16, since two errors compound
Correct answer: 1 in 8 (random chance), since the misidentified rule does not constrain the choice correctly
With one rule correctly applied, some distractors are eliminated, but a misidentified second rule could point to any remaining option, effectively reducing to chance among those survivors â approximating 1 in 8 overall.
Question 3: In a matrix where rule 1 adds an element each row AND rule 2 rotates all elements 45° each column, a solver sees 2 elements at 45° in row 2, column 2. What is in row 3, column 3?
- 3 elements each rotated 90° from their original orientation (Correct answer)
- 2 elements at 90°
- 3 elements at 45°
- 4 elements at 90°
Correct answer: 3 elements each rotated 90° from their original orientation
Row 3 adds one more element (total 3), and column 3 rotates all elements another 45° (total 90° from original), giving 3 elements at 90°.
Question 4: A matrix has rule A operating left-to-right and rule B operating top-to-bottom. If a test-taker scans only left-to-right to identify the pattern, what error is likely?
- They will identify rule A but miss rule B, leading to an answer that satisfies the row pattern but violates the column pattern (Correct answer)
- They will correctly identify both rules since rows contain all necessary information
- They will identify rule B but not rule A
- They will find a third spurious rule
Correct answer: They will identify rule A but miss rule B, leading to an answer that satisfies the row pattern but violates the column pattern
Scanning only one direction captures only the rule encoded in that direction; rule B can only be confirmed by also scanning top-to-bottom.
Question 5: Simultaneous rule application in Raven's matrices is thought to correlate strongly with academic success primarily because:
- Academic tasks often require tracking multiple constraints or principles at the same time to reach a correct conclusion (Correct answer)
- School tests are also presented in matrix format
- Memorizing rules is the primary academic skill
- Speed of rule identification predicts grades
Correct answer: Academic tasks often require tracking multiple constraints or principles at the same time to reach a correct conclusion
Multi-constraint reasoning â holding several rules or principles active simultaneously â is fundamental to complex problem-solving across academic disciplines.
Question 6: A matrix element's border thickness follows a row rule (thinâmediumâthick) and the element's interior pattern follows a column rule (blankâstripedâcrosshatched). The missing cell is at the intersection of the 'thick' row and 'striped' column. Which is correct?
- A thick-bordered, striped element (Correct answer)
- A medium-bordered, crosshatched element
- A thin-bordered, striped element
- A thick-bordered, blank element
Correct answer: A thick-bordered, striped element
The row rule gives thick borders and the column rule gives striped interior, so the answer is a thick-bordered, striped element.
Question 7: In a matrix where rule 1 is additive (element count +1 per column) and rule 2 is subtractive (element size â1 step per row), which answer choice should be immediately eliminated if it shows MORE elements than expected AND larger size than expected?
- Any choice that violates both rules, since correct simultaneous application means both rules must be satisfied (Correct answer)
- Only choices that violate the size rule
- No choices should be eliminated until all rules are verified
- Choices violating the more complex rule only
Correct answer: Any choice that violates both rules, since correct simultaneous application means both rules must be satisfied
An answer violating both rules simultaneously can be eliminated instantly, as correct answers must satisfy every active rule.
Raven's Progressive Matrices Test Raven's Progressive Matrices Simultaneous Rule Application 5
A matrix has two rules: the number of sides of the shape decreases by one per column (starting at 6 sides), AND the shape's shading rotates through a 3-step cycle per row.
Row 1, Col 1 is a lightly shaded hexagon.
What is Row 2, Col 3?