Raven's Standard Progressive Matrices Exam — Questions and Answers

Question 1: A figure is rotated 270° clockwise. This is equivalent to a rotation of how many degrees counter-clockwise?

270°
180°
90° (Correct answer)
45°

Correct answer: 90°

270° clockwise equals 360° − 270° = 90° counter-clockwise, since they arrive at the same final orientation.

Question 2: In a 3×3 matrix, the diagonal from top-left to bottom-right always contains the same shape. The top-left is a hexagon and the center is a hexagon. What is the bottom-right?

Triangle
Square
Hexagon (Correct answer)
Pentagon

Correct answer: Hexagon

The main diagonal rule requires the same shape in all three diagonal cells, so the bottom-right must also be a hexagon.

Question 3: A continuous line-length pattern in a matrix increases each horizontal line by 2 units per column. Column 1 has a 2-unit line. What length does the missing column 3 cell display?

4 units
8 units
6 units (Correct answer)
5 units

Correct answer: 6 units

Column 1 = 2, column 2 = 4, column 3 = 6 units.

Question 4: Which type of symmetry would be present if folding a Raven's matrix along its vertical center line caused the left half to perfectly overlap the right half?

Glide symmetry
Translational symmetry
Reflective (bilateral) symmetry (Correct answer)
Rotational symmetry

Correct answer: Reflective (bilateral) symmetry

Folding along a vertical line and achieving perfect overlap is the defining test for vertical reflective (bilateral) symmetry.

Question 5: When two figures are combined in a Raven's matrix and the rule is 'union without duplication,' a shape already present in the result is not added again. Figure 1: {circle, square}. Figure 2: {square, triangle}. Result: ?

Circle, square, triangle (Correct answer)
Circle and square
Circle, square, square, triangle
Square only

Correct answer: Circle, square, triangle

The union includes all unique shapes: circle, square, and triangle; the duplicate square is not added twice.

Question 6: A 3×3 matrix uses a continuous pattern where each shape contains a number of interior dots equal to (row × column). What number of dots belongs in the cell at row 2, column 3?

4
5
6 (Correct answer)
8

Correct answer: 6

2 × 3 = 6 interior dots for that cell.

Question 7: In a progressive matrix, the inner shape of each cell is the same as the outer shape of the cell to its left. The left cell has a square outer and circle inner. What is the inner shape of the right cell?

Circle
Pentagon
Triangle
Square (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Square

The rule transfers the outer shape of the left cell to become the inner shape of the right cell, so the right cell's inner shape is a square.

Question 8: A 3×3 matrix contains numerals. Rule A: each row sums to 15. Rule B: each column sums to 15. The top row is 6, 5, 4. The middle row starts 7, 5, ?. What is the missing middle value AND what confirms it satisfies both rules?

2; because columns must decrease
4; because the rows decrease by one
5; because the center always matches the center of row 1
3; because 7+5+3=15 and the column sum is also verified to equal 15 (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 3; because 7+5+3=15 and the column sum is also verified to equal 15

Row rule: 7+5+x=15, so x=3; column rule also confirms 3 in context of the full matrix.

Question 9: In the given 3x3 matrix, a central figure undergoes a transformation in each row. The first row shows a capital letter 'F'. The second figure in the row is a horizontal reflection of the first. The third figure is a horizontal reflection of the second. The second row follows the same pattern with a letter 'R'. The third row starts with a letter 'J'. Which figure correctly completes the third row?

A capital letter 'J' rotated 90 degrees clockwise.
A capital letter 'J' reflected vertically.
The original capital letter 'J'. (Correct answer)
A capital letter 'J' reflected horizontally.

Correct answer: The original capital letter 'J'.

The pattern across each row is: Original Figure -> Horizontal Reflection -> Horizontal Reflection. A horizontal reflection of a horizontal reflection returns the figure to its original state. Therefore, the third figure in the row must be the same as the first, which is the original capital letter 'J'.

Question 10: Each row of a matrix has shapes whose sizes sum to a constant. Row 1: large + small = 10 units. Row 2: medium + medium = 10 units. Row 3 has one large shape worth 7 units. What size is the missing shape?

Medium (5 units)
Extra-small (1 unit)
Small (3 units) (Correct answer)
Large (7 units)

Correct answer: Small (3 units)

The row sum must equal 10 units; 10 − 7 = 3 units, which corresponds to the small shape.

Question 11: A matrix contains shapes where each row's cells collectively use all three shadings: white, gray, and black. Each column also contains each shading exactly once. This constraint is called:

A Latin square rule (Correct answer)
A binary rule
A cumulative rule
A gradient rule

Correct answer: A Latin square rule

A Latin square rule ensures each value (shading, shape type, etc.) appears exactly once in every row and every column.

Question 12: A matrix shows fill proportion increasing per row: row 1 is 1/4 filled, row 2 is 1/2 filled, and row 3 is ___?

1/4 filled
1/2 filled
3/4 filled (Correct answer)
Fully filled

Correct answer: 3/4 filled

Fill proportion increases by 1/4 per row, making all row 3 cells consistently 3/4 filled.

Question 13: In a Raven's matrix with point symmetry (180° rotational symmetry around the center cell), a right-facing arrow in the top-left cell corresponds to what figure in the bottom-right cell?

Downward-facing arrow
Right-facing arrow
Upward-facing arrow
Left-facing arrow (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Left-facing arrow

Point symmetry rotates every figure 180° around the center, reversing all directions — a right-facing arrow becomes a left-facing arrow.

Question 14: A 3x3 matrix operates on a cumulative rule set. Moving one cell to the right adds a specific feature, and moving one cell down adds a different feature. The starting cell (top-left) is a blank square. Moving right adds concentric circles (one for each step right). Moving down adds radial lines from the center (one for each step down). What would the figure in the bottom-right cell (row 3, column 3) look like?

A square with three concentric circles and three radial lines
A square with two concentric circles and two radial lines (Correct answer)
A square with three concentric circles
A square with two radial lines

Correct answer: A square with two concentric circles and two radial lines

To reach the bottom-right cell (3,3) from the top-left (1,1), one must move two steps to the right and two steps down. Each step right adds a concentric circle, so two steps right results in two concentric circles. Each step down adds a radial line, so two steps down results in two radial lines. Therefore, the final figure combines both transformations, resulting in a square containing two concentric circles and two radial lines.

Question 15: In a matrix, a circle stretches horizontally per column: column 1 is a circle, column 2 is a moderate oval, and column 3 is a highly elongated ellipse. What does the missing column 3 cell show?

Moderate oval
Rectangle
Circle
Highly elongated ellipse (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Highly elongated ellipse

The horizontal stretching progression always reaches its maximum elongation at column 3.

Question 16: Consider a sequence where a simple shape is transformed. The sequence is: 1. An arrow pointing up. 2. The arrow is rotated 180 degrees. 3. The resulting figure is reflected across a vertical axis. What is the final orientation of the arrow?

Pointing right.
Pointing down. (Correct answer)
Pointing left.
Pointing up.

Correct answer: Pointing down.

Step 1: Arrow points up (↑). Step 2: Rotating it 180 degrees makes it point down (↓). Step 3: Reflecting a downward-pointing arrow, which is symmetrical, across a vertical axis results in no visible change. The arrow remains pointing down.

Question 17: A matrix shows shapes with shaded segments increasing by 2 per column: 0 in column 1, 2 in column 2, and ___ in column 3?

6
4 (Correct answer)
3
2

Correct answer: 4

Adding 2 shaded segments per column gives the sequence 0, 2, 4 — so column 3 has 4 shaded segments.

Question 18: In a Raven's matrix, an element's horizontal position shifts by +1 cell per row, but its vertical position within the cell also shifts by –1 unit per step. What kind of motion is this?

Diagonal motion combining horizontal and vertical components (Correct answer)
Pure horizontal translation
Pure vertical translation
Circular arc motion

Correct answer: Diagonal motion combining horizontal and vertical components

When both horizontal and vertical components change simultaneously, the result is diagonal motion.

Question 19: A matrix with a continuous subtraction pattern shows each cell's value as the previous minus 3. The first cell of row 2 is 21. What value is in the third cell of row 2?

9
15 (Correct answer)
12
18

Correct answer: 15

21 − 3 = 18 (cell 2), 18 − 3 = 15 (cell 3).

Question 20: Each column in a matrix has a fixed fill style: column 1 is solid, column 2 is hatched, and column 3 is outline only. What fill does the missing column 3 cell show?

Solid
Outline only (Correct answer)
Hatched
Dotted

Correct answer: Outline only

Column 3 consistently displays outline-only fill throughout the entire matrix.

Question 21: A matrix has shapes that continuously change color: white in column 1, grey in column 2, and black in column 3. The missing piece is at row 3, column 3. What color is it?

Striped
Black (Correct answer)
White
Grey

Correct answer: Black

Column 3 always contains a black shape, making the missing cell black.

Question 22: A matrix row contains three cells where the line in each cell rotates 60° counterclockwise from the previous. If the first cell shows a vertical line (90°), what angle does the third cell show?

330°
Both B and C are correct (Correct answer)
−30° (same as 330°)
210°

Correct answer: Both B and C are correct

Starting at 90°, subtract 60° twice: 90° − 60° = 30°, then 30° − 60° = −30°, which equals 330°; answers B and C both represent the same angle.

Question 23: In a 3×3 matrix, the number of shapes in each cell increases by 1 reading left to right, and by 1 reading top to bottom. The top-left has 1 shape. What number of shapes appears in the bottom-right cell?

6
3
5 (Correct answer)
4

Correct answer: 5

Starting at 1 (top-left), adding 2 across and 2 down gives 1+2+2=5 shapes in the bottom-right cell.

Question 24: In a matrix, identical shapes rotate 45° clockwise per column: 0° in column 1, 45° in column 2, and ___ in column 3?

90° (Correct answer)
0°
135°
45°

Correct answer: 90°

Each column adds a 45° clockwise rotation, so column 3 shows the shape rotated a total of 90°.

Question 25: When RPM frequency data show a 'floor effect,' what does this indicate about the test and the sample?

The test has too many items of average difficulty
Many examinees scored near the minimum, limiting downward differentiation (Correct answer)
Most examinees scored near the maximum, limiting upward differentiation
The score distribution is perfectly normal for that sample

Correct answer: Many examinees scored near the minimum, limiting downward differentiation

Floor effect occurs when scores cluster at the lowest possible values, indicating the test may be too difficult for that particular sample.

Question 26: A matrix shows a continuous increasing-gap pattern: the spacing between two parallel lines grows by 1 unit per cell. Gap in cell 1 is 1 unit. What is the gap in cell 5?

6 units
4 units
5 units (Correct answer)
3 units

Correct answer: 5 units

Starting at 1 and adding 1 for each subsequent cell yields 5 units at cell 5.

Question 27: A 2x2 matrix is presented where the relationship between the top-left and top-right figures is analogous to the relationship between the bottom-left and the missing bottom-right figure. Top-left: A hollow circle positioned above a horizontal line. Top-right: The same hollow circle is now half-submerged below the line, and the submerged portion is shaded black. Bottom-left: A hollow, upright equilateral triangle is positioned above a horizontal line. Which figure completes the analogy in the bottom-right cell?

A hollow triangle half-submerged below the line, with the submerged portion shaded black. (Correct answer)
A solid black triangle positioned on top of the line.
A hollow triangle fully below the line.
A hollow triangle that is inverted and rests its point on the line.

Correct answer: A hollow triangle half-submerged below the line, with the submerged portion shaded black.

The analogy is based on an object interacting with a line. The figure in the first cell moves down to intersect the line, and the portion of the figure that crosses below the line becomes shaded. The hollow circle becomes half-submerged and the submerged half is shaded. Therefore, the hollow triangle must also move down to become half-submerged, and its submerged triangular tip must be shaded black.

Question 28: Which statistic best describes the spread or variability of RPM scores within a norming sample?

Raw score frequency
Standard deviation (Correct answer)
Mean
Percentile rank

Correct answer: Standard deviation

Standard deviation quantifies how much individual scores deviate from the mean, capturing the overall spread of the RPM score distribution.

Question 29: An arrow points to 10 o'clock on a clock face. After a 120° clockwise rotation, it points to:

2 o'clock (Correct answer)
4 o'clock
6 o'clock
8 o'clock

Correct answer: 2 o'clock

120° clockwise from 10 o'clock (which is at 300°) adds 120°, reaching 60° — the 2 o'clock position.

Question 30: A matrix tracks a moving element that jumps 2 cells to the right but wraps around: in a row of 3 cells, starting at cell 1, it goes 1 → 3 → 2 → 1. After how many steps does it return to cell 1?

6 steps
4 steps
3 steps (Correct answer)
2 steps

Correct answer: 3 steps

The sequence 1→3→2→1 completes the cycle in 3 steps, as there are 3 cells and the jump length (2) is coprime with 3.

Question 31: A matrix's shading decreases one step per row from top to bottom: row 1 is dark, row 2 is medium, and row 3 is ___?

Medium
Absent
Light (Correct answer)
Dark

Correct answer: Light

Each row decreases one shade step downward from the previous, making row 3 the lightest shade.

Question 32: In a matrix pattern, a shape with an internal line at 45° is rotated 45° clockwise each step. After 4 steps, the internal line is at:

45°
90°
180°
225° (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 225°

Starting at 45° and adding four 45° clockwise steps (180° total) brings the line to 45° + 180° = 225°.

Question 33: Consider a 2x2 matrix where the top-left cell contains a single vertical line. The rule for the row is that each subsequent cell adds a horizontal line. The rule for the column is that the entire figure in the cell below is a mirror image of the one above it. Which figure should be in the bottom-right cell?

A plus sign.
Two vertical lines and one horizontal line.
A single horizontal line.
A mirrored plus sign. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: A mirrored plus sign.

The top-left cell has a vertical line. The top-right cell adds a horizontal line, creating a plus sign. The bottom-left cell is a mirror image of the top-left, which is still a single vertical line. The bottom-right cell must be a mirror image of the top-right cell. A mirror image of a plus sign is identical to a plus sign. Therefore, the answer is a mirrored plus sign (which looks the same as a regular plus sign).

Question 34: If the RPM score distribution in a clinical sample of individuals with traumatic brain injury is compared to the normative distribution, what shift is typically expected?

The clinical distribution becomes more uniform
The clinical distribution shifts to the left (lower scores) (Correct answer)
The clinical distribution shifts to the right (higher scores)
No systematic shift is expected

Correct answer: The clinical distribution shifts to the left (lower scores)

TBI commonly impairs fluid intelligence, so the score distribution for this clinical group tends to shift toward lower values compared to normative samples.

Question 35: A right-pointing arrow is positioned at the top of a figure. When this figure is reflected across the main diagonal (the axis from top-left to bottom-right), where does the arrow appear and in what direction does it point?

On the right side, pointing upward
At the bottom, pointing left
On the left side, pointing downward (Correct answer)
At the top, still pointing right

Correct answer: On the left side, pointing downward

Reflecting across the main diagonal swaps x- and y-coordinates: the top position maps to the left position, and the rightward direction maps to the downward direction.

Question 36: When constructing a frequency distribution of RPM scores, which grouping approach is standard for presenting data in RPM manuals?

Grouping by IQ bands of 30 points
Grouping into five broad quintile bands
Presenting each individual raw score with its corresponding frequency (Correct answer)
Listing only scores above the median

Correct answer: Presenting each individual raw score with its corresponding frequency

RPM manuals typically list every possible raw score with its frequency and cumulative frequency, allowing precise percentile determination.

Question 37: In a 3x3 matrix, each cell contains a small black square and a small white circle within its four quadrants. The rule for moving across a row (left to right) is that the two shapes swap their horizontal positions. The rule for moving down a column is that the two shapes swap their vertical positions. If the top-left cell has the square in the top-left quadrant and the circle in the bottom-right quadrant, what is the configuration of the bottom-right cell?

Square in the bottom-left, circle in the top-right.
Square in the top-right, circle in the bottom-left.
Square in the bottom-right, circle in the top-left.
Square in the top-left, circle in the bottom-right. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Square in the top-left, circle in the bottom-right.

Let's trace the transformations. Moving from the top-left cell to the top-right cell involves two horizontal swaps, which results in the shapes returning to their original horizontal positions. Similarly, moving from the top-right cell to the bottom-right cell involves two vertical swaps, which returns the shapes to their original vertical positions. Therefore, the figure in the bottom-right cell is identical to the one in the top-left cell.

Question 38: Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday Which day is three days before the day immediately following the day, two days before the day three days after the day directly before Friday?

Tuesday
Thursday
Sunday
Wednesday (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Wednesday

To solve this, work backward from the end of the sentence. 'The day directly before Friday' is Thursday. 'Three days after Thursday' is Sunday. 'Two days before Sunday' is Friday. 'Immediately following Friday' is Saturday. Finally, 'three days before Saturday' is Wednesday.

Question 39: Which rotation maps a figure onto itself (appears unchanged)?

360° (Correct answer)
180°
90°
45°

Correct answer: 360°

A 360° rotation returns any figure exactly to its starting position, making it appear unchanged.

Question 40: A figure rotated 45° clockwise looks different from the original. The same figure reflected across the vertical axis also looks different. What does this indicate?

The figure has 8-fold symmetry
The figure is a square
The figure lacks both 45° rotational symmetry and vertical reflective symmetry (Correct answer)
The figure is a circle

Correct answer: The figure lacks both 45° rotational symmetry and vertical reflective symmetry

If neither the rotation nor the reflection maps the figure onto itself, the figure lacks that specific rotational and reflective symmetry.

Question 41: In the following 3x3 matrix, the third figure in each row is a result of the motion between the first and second figures. Row 1: (1) A dot in the top-left corner of a square. (2) A dot in the top-right corner. (3) A horizontal line across the top of the square. Row 2: (1) A dot in the top-left corner. (2) A dot in the bottom-left corner. (3) A vertical line down the left side of the square. Row 3: (1) A dot in the top-left corner. (2) A dot in the bottom-right corner. (3) ? Which option correctly completes Row 3?

A diagonal line from the top-left to the bottom-right corner. (Correct answer)
A circle enclosing the square.
A plus sign in the middle of the square.
A dot in the center of the square.

Correct answer: A diagonal line from the top-left to the bottom-right corner.

The rule is that the figure in the third cell represents the path traced by the dot moving from its position in the first cell to its position in the second cell. In Row 1, moving from top-left to top-right creates a horizontal line. In Row 2, moving from top-left to bottom-left creates a vertical line. In Row 3, the dot moves from the top-left corner to the bottom-right corner, which traces a diagonal line.

Question 42: Which of the following best explains why RPM norms require periodic restandardization?

Printing quality of matrices changes with new editions
Older norms overestimate performance in younger cohorts
Population score distributions shift upward over generations due to the Flynn Effect (Correct answer)
Test items wear out and become less valid over time

Correct answer: Population score distributions shift upward over generations due to the Flynn Effect

Secular score increases (Flynn Effect) mean older norms underestimate current typical performance, requiring updated standardization samples.

Question 43: A 3×3 matrix shows a continuous increasing-number-of-lines pattern: each cell gains one diagonal line left to right. Row 1 has 1, 2, 3 lines. What does the third cell of row 2 contain if row 2 starts with 4 lines?

7 lines
6 lines (Correct answer)
4 lines
5 lines

Correct answer: 6 lines

Row 2 starts at 4, increments by 1 each cell, so the third cell has 6 lines.

Question 44: A student consistently picks the answer that matches only the third row pattern, ignoring column patterns. What error type is this?

Recency bias error
Perseveration error
Confabulation error
Dimension neglect error (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Dimension neglect error

Dimension neglect occurs when a test-taker focuses on rules along one dimension (row or column) and ignores valid patterns along the other.

Question 45: A 3×3 matrix shows a circle moving diagonally from the top-left to the bottom-right. Which cell in the matrix is NOT part of this diagonal path?

Top-left cell
Top-right cell (Correct answer)
Center cell
Bottom-right cell

Correct answer: Top-right cell

The main diagonal (top-left → center → bottom-right) never passes through the top-right cell.

Question 46: In a 3×3 matrix, all column 1 figures are fully black, column 2 figures are half-shaded, and column 3 figures are unshaded. The missing figure is in row 3, column 3. Which option correctly fills it?

Fully black shape
Striped shape
Unshaded shape (Correct answer)
Half-shaded shape

Correct answer: Unshaded shape

Column 3 is always unshaded across every row, so the missing figure must have no shading.

Question 47: Which cognitive ability is most directly assessed by element combination and subtraction tasks in Raven's Progressive Matrices?

Verbal memory and recall
Arithmetic computation speed
Spatial rotation of 3D objects
Abstract reasoning and pattern deduction (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Abstract reasoning and pattern deduction

These tasks measure the capacity to infer and apply abstract rules governing how visual elements change or combine.

Question 48: In a 3x3 matrix, the cells contain geometric shapes. The rule states that each row and each column must contain exactly two black shapes and one white shape. In the third row, the first cell contains a black shape. In the third column, the first two cells contain a black shape and a white shape. What must be the color of the shape in the cell at row 3, column 3?

A shape with curved edges (Correct answer)
A shape with 4 sides
A shape with straight edges
A shape with no edges

Correct answer: A shape with curved edges

The problem operates on a frequency rule based on a feature (edge type). The rule is that each column must have two shapes with straight edges and one with curved edges. Column 1 is mentioned to contain a square and a triangle (both have straight edges). To complete the set of three according to the rule, the third, missing shape must be one with curved edges.

Question 49: A matrix tests cross-row analogy: if row 1 is to row 2 as row 2 is to row 3, and row 1 shows triangles while row 2 shows squares, what does row 3 show?

Squares
Circles
Triangles
Pentagons (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Pentagons

The analogical chain adds one side per step: triangles (3) → squares (4) → pentagons (5).

Question 50: Each row of a matrix shows a square with an internal cross pattern that gains one arm per cell. Row 1: no arms; Row 2: 2 arms; Row 3: 4 arms. The missing cell is row 3, cell 3. How many arms does it have?

8
6 (Correct answer)
4
5

Correct answer: 6

Row 3 adds 2 arms per step: 4, then 6 for the third cell.

Question 51: A sequence of figures shows a pointer that can be in one of five discrete positions, labeled 1 (far-left) through 5 (far-right). The sequence of observed positions is: 3 (center), 4 (mid-right), 5 (far-right), 4 (mid-right), 3 (center). What is the next position in this oscillating sequence?

Position 4 (mid-right)
Position 2 (mid-left) (Correct answer)
Position 5 (far-right)
Position 1 (far-left)

Correct answer: Position 2 (mid-left)

The pointer demonstrates an oscillating or swinging motion. It starts at the center (3), moves to the right extreme (5), and then returns to the center (3). The logical continuation of this pattern is for the swing to proceed towards the left extreme. The very next step after the center (3) in that direction is the mid-left position (2).

Question 52: In a continuous symbol substitution matrix, each row cycles through three symbols: circle, triangle, square. Row 1 is: circle, triangle, square. Row 3 starts with: triangle. What is the third cell of row 3?

Triangle
Pentagon
Circle (Correct answer)
Square

Correct answer: Circle

The cycle shifts one position per row, so row 3 runs triangle, square, circle.

Question 53: A matrix shows a diagonal shading band shifting one column to the right per row: row 1 shades the left section, row 2 shades the middle section. Which section is shaded in the missing row 3 cell?

Left section
Right section (Correct answer)
Middle section
Entire shape

Correct answer: Right section

The shaded band moves one position to the right per row, landing on the right section in row 3.

Question 54: In a 3×3 RPM matrix, cells along the main diagonal (top-left to bottom-right) show lines at 0°, 60°, and 120°. What angle would logically continue this diagonal pattern?

150°
180° (Correct answer)
160°
240°

Correct answer: 180°

The angles increase by 60° per step (0° → 60° → 120°), so the next step would be 120° + 60° = 180°.

Question 55: If a figure has 4-fold rotational symmetry, how many degrees must it be rotated before it first looks identical to its original position?

180°
90° (Correct answer)
45°
360°

Correct answer: 90°

A figure with 4-fold rotational symmetry looks identical after each 90° (360°÷4) rotation.

Question 56: In a continuous pattern matrix, each row shows a shape growing by one side per cell (triangle→square→pentagon). The bottom-right cell is missing. What completes the third row if it starts with a triangle?

Hexagon
Square
Pentagon (Correct answer)
Octagon

Correct answer: Pentagon

The third row starts with a triangle (3 sides), so following the +1 side rule gives square then pentagon.

Question 57: A 3x3 matrix is governed by a conditional transformation rule that is applied from one cell to the next across each row. The rule is: if a figure contains a straight line, it rotates 90 degrees clockwise; if it contains a curved line, it is reflected across a vertical axis. In the third row, the first figure is a capital letter 'S'. What will the third figure in that row be?

The letter 'S' rotated 180 degrees.
A horizontally flipped 'S' (a backwards 'S').
A capital letter 'S'. (Correct answer)
The letter 'S' rotated 90 degrees clockwise.

Correct answer: A capital letter 'S'.

The transformation from cell 1 to cell 2 is based on the properties of the figure in cell 1. The transformation from cell 2 to cell 3 is based on the properties of the figure in cell 2. The letter 'S' contains only curved lines. Applying the rule, the figure in cell 1 (S) is reflected vertically to get the figure in cell 2 (a backwards S). The backwards 'S' also contains only curved lines, so it is reflected vertically again to get the figure in cell 3. Reflecting a backwards 'S' vertically returns it to the original 'S'.

Question 58: A Raven's matrix assigns element counts where each position's count equals the square of its position number (position 1=1, position 2=4, position 3=9). What number appears at position 4?

14
12
16 (Correct answer)
20

Correct answer: 16

Position 4 squared = 4² = 16, extending the established pattern of perfect squares.

Question 59: A matrix row shows a shape in cell 1 that is absent from cell 2 and reappears in cell 3. In the next row, it is absent from cell 1, present in cell 2, absent in cell 3. What pattern controls presence?

The shape appears in all three cells simultaneously
The shape shifts one cell right each row
The presence alternates in a staggered checkerboard pattern (Correct answer)
The shape is always present in the center cell

Correct answer: The presence alternates in a staggered checkerboard pattern

Across rows, the presence/absence of the shape follows a staggered alternating checkerboard, shifting the offset by one each row.

Question 60: There is a lake with water lilies floating on its surface. Every day, the number of lilies doubles. How long will it take to occupy the lake's floor if it takes 48 days?

47 (Correct answer)
108
46
96

Correct answer: 47

If the number of lilies doubles every day, and the lake is completely covered on day 48, then on the day immediately preceding day 48, the lake must have been exactly half covered. Since the lilies double daily, being half covered on day 47 means it would become fully covered on day 48. Therefore, it takes 47 days for the lake to be half full.

Raven's Standard Progressive Matrices Exam

Raven's Standard Progressive Matrices is a non-verbal intelligence test that measures abstract reasoning and fluid intelligence through pattern recognition in visual matrices.

Questions

40 min

Time Limit

50%

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