About the test

Raven's Progressive Matrices (RPM) is a nonverbal intelligence test originally designed by John C. Raven in 1936. It is widely regarded as one of the purest measures of fluid intelligence (gf), the ability to reason and solve novel problems independent of previously acquired knowledge.

The test presents a series of visual patterns arranged in a matrix, with one element missing. The test-taker must identify the underlying rules governing the pattern (rotation, color progression, shape transformation, etc.) and select the correct missing piece from a set of options.

Because RPM relies on abstract geometric patterns rather than language or cultural knowledge, it is considered one of the most culture-fair intelligence tests available. It has been used extensively in research and clinical settings for over 80 years.

Raw scores (number of correct answers out of 30) are mapped onto a normal distribution with a mean of 100 and a standard deviation of 15, which is the standard scale used in IQ testing (the Wechsler scale).

This means approximately 68% of scores fall between 85 and 115, approximately 95% fall between 70 and 130, and approximately 99.7% fall between 55 and 145. Your percentile rank indicates the percentage of the general population you would be expected to score higher than.

This is a screening tool, not a clinical assessment. Results from this test should be interpreted as an approximation and should not be used for diagnostic, educational, or employment decisions.

Several factors can affect your score: fatigue, distraction, test anxiety, familiarity with matrix-style puzzles, and the testing environment. A single online test cannot account for these variables with the same rigor as a proctored clinical assessment.

For a clinical assessment of cognitive ability, consult a licensed psychologist who can administer a standardized test battery (such as the WAIS-IV or Stanford-Binet) under controlled conditions.