Raven's Progressive Matrices Test Study Guide 2026
Everything you need to pass the Raven's Progressive Matrices Test exam in one place: the exam format, every topic to study, real practice questions with explanations, flashcards, and full-length practice tests. Free, no sign-up needed.
📋 Raven's Progressive Matrices Test Exam Format at a Glance
📚 Raven's Progressive Matrices Test Topics to Study (33)
✍️ Sample Raven's Progressive Matrices Test Questions & Answers
1. 4-7 years. Mental/physical issues in older people.
The Coloured Progressive Matrices (CPM) is specifically designed for younger children, typically aged 5 to 11 years, and for older adults or individuals with cognitive impairments. Its use of color and fewer, simpler items makes it more accessible for these groups. The age range of 4-7 years and the mention of mental/physical issues in older people directly correspond to the recommended demographic for the CPM.
2. In a Raven's matrix, an inner figure moves one position clockwise within the outer shape for each column from left to right. If the inner figure starts at the top in column 1, where is it in column 3?
Starting at the top and moving one position clockwise per column: column 1 = top, column 2 = right, column 3 = bottom.
3. A matrix has lines at 0°, 45°, and 90° in column 1. Column 2 shows lines at 45°, 90°, and 135°. What rule governs this matrix?
Every entry in column 2 is exactly 45° greater than the corresponding entry in column 1, indicating each column adds 45° to the set.
4. Decide what number should be used in place of the question mark.
A common pattern for such a sequence to result in 16 is a geometric progression where each term is double the previous one. For example, if the sequence was 1, 2, 4, 8, the next number would be 16. Alternatively, an arithmetic progression like 4, 8, 12, would also lead to 16 by adding 4 each time.
5. 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?
The shaded band moves one position to the right per row, landing on the right section in row 3.
6. A matrix shows figures with 2, 4, and 6 sides in the first column; 3, 6, and 9 sides in the second column. How many sides would the figures in the third column have?
Each column multiplies its base value by 1, 2, and 3 going down; the third column's base is 4, giving 4, 8, 12.