Raven's Progressive Matrices explained
Raven's Progressive Matrices (RPM) is one of the best known non-verbal intelligence tests. Instead of words or numbers, it shows a pattern with one piece missing, and the test taker chooses the piece that completes it.
Who created it?
The test was developed by the British psychologist John C. Raven in the 1930s. It was designed to measure a person's ability to see relationships and reason about new problems without depending on language or schooling, which is why it has been used in many countries and cultures.
What does it measure?
RPM is mainly seen as a measure of abstract, fluid reasoning: working out the rule behind a set of shapes and applying it to something new. It is closely linked to what psychologists call general intelligence, but like any single test it covers only part of what people mean by intelligence. It does not measure memory, creativity, knowledge, emotional intelligence or practical skills.
The three versions
| Version | Intended for |
|---|---|
| Standard Progressive Matrices (SPM) | The general population, with 60 items that get harder as the test goes on |
| Coloured Progressive Matrices (CPM) | Young children, older adults and people with learning or language difficulties |
| Advanced Progressive Matrices (APM) | Adults and older students of higher ability, with harder items that separate high scores better |
How online matrix tests relate to the original
The official Raven's tests are published and normed under supervision. Online tests such as the IQ Raven test use the same kind of visual pattern questions, but they are shorter and are not administered or norm-referenced in the same way. Treat the result as a fun, informative estimate of how you handle pattern reasoning, not as an official IQ. Our how it works page explains the format of our 20-question test.
Why people like matrix tests
- They are language-free, so they are fairer across languages.
- The questions build gradually from easy to hard.
- Each puzzle has one logically correct answer, so scoring is objective.
To see how scores are interpreted, read the IQ score chart.