Raven's Progressive Matrices

Raven's Progressive Matrices (often referred to simply as Raven's Matrices) or RPM is a non-verbal test typically used to measure general human intelligence and abstract reasoning and is regarded as a non-verbal estimate of fluid intelligence.

[2] This format is designed to measure the test taker's reasoning ability, the eductive ("meaning-making") component of Spearman's g (g is often referred to as general intelligence).

Raven thought that the tests commonly in use at that time were cumbersome to administer and the results difficult to interpret.

Because of their independence of language and reading and writing skills, and the simplicity of their use and interpretation, they quickly found widespread practical application.

The routine administration of what became the Standard Progressive Matrices to all entrants (conscripts) to many military services throughout the world (including the Soviet Union) continued at least until the present century.

It was by bringing together these data that James R. Flynn was able to place the intergenerational increase in scores beyond reasonable doubt.

Among Robert L. Thorndike[9] and other researchers who preceded Flynn in finding evidence of IQ score gains was John Raven,[10] reporting on studies with the RPM.