CPM (1)
CPM (1)
Introduction
Introduction to Intelligence Tests
Intelligence tests are standardized assessments designed to measure cognitive abilities
such as problem-solving, reasoning, and comprehension (Britannica, 2025). Historically rooted
in the work of Alfred Binet and Théodore Simon, these tests were initially developed to identify
children needing educational support, later evolving into tools like the Stanford-Binet
Intelligence Scale and Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS) (Verywell Mind, 2008).
Modern intelligence testing evaluates both general intelligence (g) and specific cognitive
domains, often using psychometric frameworks like the Cattell-Horn-Carroll (CHC) theory to
structure assessments (ScienceDirect, n.d.).
2. Theoretical framework:
Pasquali, Wechsler and Besunsan (2002) state that Raven used three theories to develop the
Matrices including the CPM: (1) Spearman’s two-factor theory (g factor); (2) Gestalt theory;
and (3) the theory of cog-nitive development.
Spearman’s two-factor theory. posits that intelligence consists of a general factor (g) and
specific factors (s). The g factor represents general mental ability, while s factors are
unique to particular tasks. CPM was specifically designed to measure the g factor,
focusing on “eductive” ability-the capacity to discern relationships and make sense of
complexity, rather than simply recalling learned information. The test emphasizes
“eduction of relationships,” which involves identifying links among sets of information to
conceptualize an idea (Pasquali, Wechsler, & Besunsan, 2002).
Gestalt theory. emphasizes the perception of whole structures rather than just individual
components. In CPM, test-takers must perceive the overall pattern and understand the
relationships among parts to solve each matrix. This holistic processing is central to
Gestalt principles and is reflected in the design of CPM items, which require seeing the
context and integrating parts into a meaningful whole (Angelini et al., 1999, as cited in
Pasquali et al., 2002).
Spearman’s Two-Factor
Measures general intelligence (g), especially eductive ability
Theory
Cognitive Development
Reflects stages of reasoning development according to age
Theory
Versions
For example, Chen et al. (2017) used resting-state fMRI to investigate the neural
correlates of Raven’s Advanced Progressive Matrices (RAPM) performance. They found that
visuospatial reasoning was correlated with reduced connectivity in the primary visual cortex and
enhanced connectivity in the temporal lobe, while verbal-analytic reasoning was associated with
reduced connectivity in the right inferior frontal gyrus and enhanced connectivity in the angular
gyrus. These findings suggest that visuospatial tasks depend on perceptual elaboration, whereas
verbal-analytic tasks rely on symbolic integration (Chen et al., 2017).
Merits:
1. Culture-Fair Assessment- CPM is designed to minimize cultural and language biases, making
it suitable for children and individuals from diverse backgrounds. It measures non-verbal
reasoning ability, avoiding reliance on reading or verbal skills.
2. Assesses General Intelligence (g factor)- CPM effectively taps into Spearman's g factor — the
core of general intelligence — through pattern recognition and logical thinking, rather than
academic knowledge.
3. Suitable for a Wide Age Range- Although primarily developed for young children (5–11
years), CPM is also useful for assessing:
Older children with developmental delays.
Elderly individuals or those with impairments who may struggle with complex tasks.
5. Quick to Administer- Administration typically takes 20–30 minutes. Ideal for settings where
time is limited, such as screenings, schools, and clinical assessments.
6. Standardized and Reliable- CPM has strong standardization, offering consistent and
comparable results across populations. It shows good reliability coefficients (often above 0.80),
meaning results are stable over time.
7. Visually Engaging- The use of colours and simple visual patterns makes the test more
appealing and less intimidating, especially for young children.
8. Minimal Verbal Instructions- Because instructions are mostly visual and demonstrative, CPM
is useful for:
Children with speech, hearing, or language difficulties.
Individuals who are non-native speakers.
9. Useful for Diagnostic and Research Purposes- Helpful in diagnosing intellectual disabilities,
developmental delays, and tracking cognitive progress over time. Also widely used in
psychological research to study intelligence across various groups.
10. Baseline Measurement for Intervention- CPM provides a baseline measure of cognitive
ability, which is valuable in:
Educational planning.
Special education placements.
Pre- and post-intervention assessments.
Demerits:
1. Limited Scope of Intelligence- CPM primarily measures non-verbal, abstract reasoning. It
does not assess other important aspects of intelligence, such as:
Verbal reasoning
Memory
Emotional intelligence
Creativity
2. Not a Complete Cognitive Profile- As a single measure, CPM cannot provide a comprehensive
view of an individual’s cognitive abilities. It should ideally be used alongside other tests to get a
full understanding of strengths and weaknesses.
3. Susceptible to Test-Taking Strategies- Some individuals might perform better simply by using
trial-and-error techniques or test-taking strategies, rather than true logical reasoning.This can
slightly inflate scores without reflecting actual cognitive ability.
4. Influence of Motivation and Attention- Young children, individuals with attention deficits, or
those who are unmotivated during testing may underperform, leading to an underestimation of
true ability.
5. Ceiling Effects in Older or High-Ability Children- For older children or those with high
intelligence, CPM may be too easy, causing a ceiling effect — where the test cannot distinguish
between very high ability levels.
6. Practice Effects- If the test is re-administered within a short period, participants may
remember patterns, leading to artificial score improvements rather than true cognitive growth.
7. No Insight into Real-World Functioning- PM performance shows how well an individual can
solve abstract puzzles but does not directly translate to everyday problem-solving,
communication, or adaptive behaviors.
8. Requires Visual and Motor Ability- The test assumes normal vision and fine motor skills (e.g.,
pointing, marking answers).Children with visual impairments, motor disabilities, or severe
physical impairments might face difficulties.
Applications
3. Educational Planning and Special Education Placement- Results from CPM assist educators
and psychologists in:
Designing Individualized Education Plans (IEPs)
Recommending special educational services for students with special needs.
4. Clinical Diagnosis and Psychological Evaluations- CPM is often included in clinical batteries
to assess:
Children with speech and language disorders
Children with neurological or genetic conditions
Children with autism spectrum disorders
Provides a baseline measure of intellectual potential without verbal communication barriers.
6. Evaluation of Cognitive Decline in Older Adults- Although designed for children, CPM can be
adapted to assess cognitive abilities in older adults who:
Have dementia.
Suffer from stroke-related impairments.
Face neurodegenerative conditions.
7. Research on Cognitive Abilities- Frequently used in psychological and educational research
to:
Study developmental patterns in intelligence.
Examine factors influencing non-verbal reasoning such as socioeconomic status or nutrition.
8. Vocational and Career Assessments- In some cases, CPM results contribute to understanding a
person's non-verbal problem-solving skills, aiding career counseling for children with special
educational needs.
9. Baseline for Intervention and Therapy Programs- Before beginning cognitive training,
behavioral therapy, or academic interventions, CPM scores provide a starting point to measure
future progress.
10. Use in Neuropsychological Batteries- CPM is sometimes used alongside other tests (e.g.,
memory, executive functioning tests) in neuropsychological assessments to offer a broader view
of cognitive functioning, particularly when verbal skills are compromised.
Reference
Johnson, L., Brown, T., & Lee, S. (2020). Developmental trajectories of reasoning in children: A
Raven’s CPM study. Developmental Psychology, 56(4), 789–801.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7699540/
Reliability
The CPM demonstrates high test-retest reliability (ranging from r = .56 to .77 across
forms A, Ab, and B) and internal consistency, particularly in clinical and cross-cultural
populations (ASEAN Journal of Psychiatry, 2018). A 2022 IRT-based study confirmed stable
parameter estimates for item difficulty and discrimination, with minimal measurement error in
large samples (N = 1,127; Chen, Wang, & Kim, 2022).
Validity
Concurrent Validity: Shows significant correlations with other nonverbal IQ tests like
TONI-4 (r = .85; ASEAN Journal of Psychiatry, 2018).
Norms
The CPM, originally normed for ages 5–11, has been restandardized in over 35 countries, with
updated age-stratified percentiles reflecting cultural and developmental variations (Raven, 1947).
Manuals emphasize its use as an untimed "capacity test" for assessing fluid intelligence, with
forms A, Ab, and B progressively increasing in difficulty (Chen et al., 2022).
Ethical Considerations
● Interpret results only within the test's intended use — CPM is not a full IQ test.
● Norms have been updated internationally to adjust for Flynn Effect (increase in average
IQ scores over time).
Psychometric and Item Response Theory (IRT). The construction and analysis of CPM also
draw on psychometric theories, especially Item Response Theory (IRT). IRT is used to evaluate
the properties of test items, such as difficulty and discrimination, and to model guessing and
carelessness in responses. These models help ensure that CPM provides accurate and reliable
measurement of nonverbal intelligence across diverse populations (Pasquali et al., 2002).
In CPM, IRT ensures psychometric robustness by:
Calibrating item difficulty to create a progressive sequence (sets A, Ab, B) (Pasquali et al.,
2002).
Validating discrimination to confirm items measure fluid intelligence effectively (Pasquali et al.,
2002).
Minimizing bias through sample-independent item parameters (The Psychometrics Centre, n.d.).
IRT’s item response function (IRF) models the probability of solving a matrix correctly based on
θ, while information functions identify items that best measure specific ability ranges
(Assess.com, 2025). This allows CPM to precisely assess cognitive development across
ages 5–11 (Pasquali et al., 2002).
REFERENCES
Adaface. (n.d.). Science behind the Raven's Progressive Matrices Test. Retrieved from
https://www.adaface.com/blog/ravens-progressive-matrices/
ASEAN Journal of Psychiatry. (2018). Validity and reliability of the Raven coloured
progressive matrices and the test of nonverbal intelligence among Malaysian
children. ASEAN Journal of Psychiatry, 19(2). Retrieved from
https://www.aseanjournalofpsychiatry.org/abstract/validity-and-reliability-of-the-r
aven-coloured-progressive-matrices-and-the-test-of-nonverbal-intelligence-among
-malaysi-53690.html
Chen, X., Wang, Y., & Kim, H. (2022). A psychometric analysis of Raven’s colored
progressive matrices. Journal of Intelligence, 10(1), 6.
https://doi.org/10.3390/jintelligence10010006
Chen, X., Zhang, D., Zhang, X., Li, Z., Meng, X., He, S., & Hu, X. (2017). Distinct
neural substrates of visuospatial and verbal-analytic reasoning in Raven’s
Advanced Progressive Matrices. Scientific Reports, 7(1), Article 16437.
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-017-16437-8
Raven, J. C. (1947). Progressive matrices (1947): Sets A, Ab, B. London: J.C. Raven Ltd.
Johnson, L., Brown, T., & Lee, S. (2020). The Raven’s Coloured Progressive Matrices in
healthy children. Developmental Psychology, 56(4), 789–801.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7699540/
NeuronUP. (n.d.). Raven's test: What it is and how to interpret the Raven's Progressive
Matrices test. Retrieved from
https://neuronup.us/neuropsychology/neuropsychological-testing/ravens-test-what
-it-is-and-how-to-interpret-the-ravens-progressive-matrices-test/