Raven's Progressive Matrices Test Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield Raven's Progressive Matrices Test facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. A matrix shows one separate shape per cell in row 1, two shapes in row 2, and three shapes in row 3. How many shapes appear in each cell of the missing row 3? → Three
2. A series of matrix figures shows alternating bold and thin outlines: bold, thin, bold, thin. The 7th figure in the series has which outline? → Bold
3. An RPM item has four answer options; three share an irrelevant feature (e.g., all have a dot) while one does not. What is this design technique called? → Feature clustering distractor design
4. On the Coloured Progressive Matrices (CPM), the distribution of scores among children aged 5–11 tends to exhibit which characteristic? → Positive skew with many low scores and fewer high scores in younger age bands
5. In a matrix analogy, each shape gains one additional side per row: row 1 has triangles, row 2 has squares. What shape appears in row 3? → Pentagons
6. One item in the store has a 20% price reduction. How much more must be added to the percentage to reach the original price? → 25
7. A matrix shows 8 elements in the first cell, with each subsequent cell losing 2 elements. What is the count in the 4th cell? → 2
8. Which RPM edition uses age-stratified norms to account for developmental changes in fluid intelligence? → All major RPM editions
9. A matrix has shapes in the first column, the same shapes rotated 45° in the second column, and rotated 90° in the third. What is the transformation increment? → 45-degree rotation per step
10. Which cognitive ability is MOST directly exercised when solving Raven's matrices with simultaneous rule application? → Fluid intelligence — abstract reasoning independent of prior knowledge
11. In an RPM figure, a line at 135° is described as pointing in which direction? → Diagonal from upper-right to lower-left
12. A matrix item shows three frames where an inner shape grows larger each step while the outer shape stays fixed. This tests which type of visual reasoning? → Size progression and relative scaling
13. Which version of Raven's Matrices is specifically designed for children aged 5–11 years and individuals with cognitive impairments? → Coloured Progressive Matrices (CPM)
14. A figure operation adds one dot inside a shape with each step. Step 1 has 1 dot, Step 2 has 2 dots, Step 3 has 3 dots. How many dots does Step 5 have? → 5
15. Which calculation converts a raw RPM score into a z-score, enabling comparison across different norm groups? → z = (raw score − mean) / SD
16. In a matrix, identical shapes rotate 45° clockwise per column: 0° in column 1, 45° in column 2, and ___ in column 3? → 90°
17. A figure transformation replaces every straight line with a curved line and every curve with a straight line. Applied to a circle, what is the result? → A square
18. 4-7 years. Mental/physical issues in older people. → CPM recommended group
19. What does it mean when a test is described as 'culture-fair' like Raven's Matrices? → It avoids language and culturally specific knowledge to reduce bias
20. An arrow in a matrix points up in column 1, right in column 2, and down in column 3. What directional pattern governs this sequence? → The arrow rotates 90° clockwise each column
21. The Standard Progressive Matrices (SPM) is divided into how many sets, each with increasing difficulty? → 5 sets (A–E)
22. The Standard Progressive Matrices norming data show that the distribution of scores tends to become more negatively skewed in which population? → University students and highly educated adults
23. A test-taker scores at the 95th percentile on the APM. This most accurately means: → They scored higher than 95% of the normative sample
24. Which of the following best describes the 'analogy' strategy used in RPM? → Identifying a rule in the top row and applying it to the bottom row
25. Each figure in a row is the previous figure reflected horizontally. If the first figure is a right-pointing arrow, what is the third figure? → Right-pointing arrow
26. In a progressive matrix, a shape gains one side with each step: triangle (3), square (4), pentagon (5). What shape comes next? → Hexagon
27. We standardized quantified evaluation of a characteristic. → Psychometric test
28. Which matrix structure creates the greatest cognitive load for RPM test-takers? → Two rules interacting across different dimensions with overlapping elements
29. Which of the following best describes a 'constant angle' pattern in Raven's Progressive Matrices? → All lines in the matrix share the same orientation
30. A 3×3 matrix uses decreasing quantities: Row 1: 9, 7, 5. Row 2: 7, 5, 3. Row 3: 5, 3, ?. What completes the matrix? → 1