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Raven’s Progressive Matrices is a family of nonverbal reasoning assessments. SPM, APM, and CPM are distinct Raven products and should not be confused with generic commercial “Raven-style” practice. The invitation or administrator controls the exact form, administration rules, and score interpretation.

The 30 questions below are original text-based matrix-style exercises. They are not Raven items, reproductions, or official scoring material.

For additional timed practice after you review the official invitation and format notes below, Review JobTestPrep’s US Raven’s Progressive Matrices preparation.

JobTestPrep is an independent third-party preparation provider. Confirm the current USD price, access period and included modules on the live product page before purchase.

How to read these original items

Each item describes a three-cell sequence. Select the option that completes the rule. Symbols are deliberately simple: ○ circle, □ square, △ triangle, + add, - remove, and arrows show rotation.

SPM, APM, CPM, and general abstract reasoning

Raven’s Progressive Matrices is a specific family of nonverbal assessments, not a generic name for any shape puzzle. Pearson’s classic materials describe Coloured Progressive Matrices (CPM) as an easier form, Standard Progressive Matrices (SPM) as a general-population form, and Advanced Progressive Matrices (APM) as a more difficult form designed to differentiate higher ability. Pearson also offers Raven’s 2, a later edition. The administrator selects the assessment, form, conditions, and interpretation.

Commercial “Raven-style” preparation usually means original matrix exercises that practice related skills such as progression, rotation, quantity, position, combination, and transformation. It is not official Raven content, and it cannot tell you what will appear in a protected assessment. General abstract reasoning practice is broader still: it can include series, analogies, odd-one-out items, and diagrammatic rules rather than matrix completion alone.

Matrix-solving method

Start by checking rows and columns for one observable operation. Count objects, note fill or shading, compare positions, and then check for rotation or a combined rule. If an answer seems plausible based on only one change, look again: many matrix questions have two independent changes. Use the information in the item only, and do not assume an official test’s timing, item count, or score from a practice page.

30 original matrix-style questions

  1. ○, ○○, ○○○, ? A. ○ B. ○○ C. ○○○○ D. □□□□ Correct answer: C. Explanation: One circle is added each step.

  2. □, ○, □, ? A. ○ B. △ C. □□ D. blank Correct answer: A. Explanation: The shapes alternate square and circle.

  3. ▲, ▶, ▼, ? A. ◀ B. ▲ C. ▶ D. ▼ Correct answer: A. Explanation: The triangle rotates 90 degrees clockwise.

  4. ○, ●, ○, ? A. □ B. ● C. △ D. blank Correct answer: B. Explanation: Fill alternates outline and solid.

  5. □, □□, □□□, ? A. □□□□ B. ○○○○ C. □ D. blank Correct answer: A. Explanation: One square is added.

  6. △, △□, △□○, ? A. △□○+ B. △ C. ○□△ D. △△△ Correct answer: A. Explanation: One new symbol is appended in the same order.

  7. ↑, →, ↓, ? A. ← B. ↑ C. → D. ↗ Correct answer: A. Explanation: The arrow rotates clockwise by a quarter turn.

  8. 1 dot, 3 dots, 5 dots, ? A. 6 dots B. 7 dots C. 8 dots D. 10 dots Correct answer: B. Explanation: Add two dots each step.

  9. ○□, □○, ○□, ? A. ○□ B. □○ C. □□ D. ○○ Correct answer: B. Explanation: The pair reverses each step.

  10. small ○, medium ○, large ○, ? A. small ○ B. medium ○ C. extra-large ○ D. solid ○ Correct answer: C. Explanation: Size increases one level each step.

  11. + , x, + , ? A. x B. + C. = D. - Correct answer: A. Explanation: The symbols alternate.

  12. △, △△, △△△, ? A. △△△△ B. □□□□ C. △△ D. ○○○○ Correct answer: A. Explanation: The count increases by one.

  13. ○ with top dot, ○ with right dot, ○ with bottom dot, ? A. left dot B. top dot C. center dot D. two dots Correct answer: A. Explanation: The dot moves clockwise around the circle.

  14. □, □ with one diagonal, □ with two diagonals, ? A. empty □ B. □ with three diagonals C. ○ D. filled □ Correct answer: B. Explanation: One diagonal is added each stage.

  15. ●○, ●○○, ●○○○, ? A. ●○○○○ B. ○○○○ C. ●●○○ D. ●○ Correct answer: A. Explanation: The leading solid circle remains while one outline circle is added.

  16. A, C, E, ? A. F B. G C. H D. I Correct answer: B. Explanation: Move forward two letters each time.

  17. 1 square, 2 circles, 3 squares, 4 circles, ? A. 5 circles B. 5 squares C. 6 squares D. 4 squares Correct answer: B. Explanation: Counts rise by one and shapes alternate.

  18. ↑, ↑→, ↑→↓, ? A. ↑→↓← B. ← C. ↑↓ D. →↓ Correct answer: A. Explanation: Each step appends the next clockwise direction.

  19. outline △, solid △, outline △, ? A. solid △ B. □ C. outline ○ D. blank Correct answer: A. Explanation: Fill alternates.

  20. ○ at left, ○ at center, ○ at right, ? A. left B. center C. right D. top Correct answer: A. Explanation: The position cycles left, center, right.

  21. □, △, ○, □, ? A. △ B. ○ C. □ D. + Correct answer: A. Explanation: Three shapes repeat in order.

  22. 2 dots, 4 dots, 8 dots, ? A. 10 B. 12 C. 16 D. 18 Correct answer: C. Explanation: The number doubles.

  23. ○, ○□, ○□△, ? A. ○□△+ B. △□○ C. ○○○ D. + Correct answer: A. Explanation: One symbol is added to the existing set.

  24. right-pointing arrow, down arrow, left arrow, ? A. up B. right C. down D. diagonal Correct answer: A. Explanation: The arrow rotates clockwise.

  25. 1 black cell, 2 black cells, 4 black cells, ? A. 5 B. 6 C. 8 D. 10 Correct answer: C. Explanation: The number doubles.

  26. ○△, △□, □○, ? A. ○△ B. △○ C. □□ D. ○□ Correct answer: A. Explanation: Each pair advances both shapes through the cycle circle, triangle, square.

  27. small solid ○, large outline ○, small solid ○, ? A. large outline ○ B. small outline ○ C. large solid ○ D. triangle Correct answer: A. Explanation: Both size and fill alternate together.

  28. top line, top+middle lines, top+middle+bottom lines, ? A. three lines plus left vertical B. top line C. middle line D. one diagonal Correct answer: A. Explanation: One structural line is added each step.

  29. 1, 4, 9, ? A. 12 B. 14 C. 16 D. 18 Correct answer: C. Explanation: These are square numbers: 1², 2², 3², 4².

  30. □ with one dot, ○ with two dots, △ with three dots, ? A. □ with four dots B. ○ with four dots C. △ with four dots D. □ with three dots Correct answer: A. Explanation: Shape cycles square, circle, triangle while dots increase by one.

Preparation strategy

Look for one rule at a time: count, rotation, position, fill, size, or symbol cycle. In a larger matrix, check whether the same operation works across rows and columns before choosing an answer.

When your invitation covers several skill areas, broader Assessment test preparation can support mixed review before test day.

When your invitation covers several skill areas, broader Abstract reasoning preparation can support mixed review before test day.

For ranked-response or work-style sections, numerical reasoning preparation may also be useful when you need extra drills under time pressure.