The Matrigma test is composed of matrices and is essentially founded on the famous Raven matrices, the classic matrix test upon which all GMA (General Mental Ability) tests are based. It is considered by many to be the truest form of GMA.
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There are two versions of the Matrigma test:
The questions in the Matrigma are presented in 3x3 matrices, in which the candidate is asked to find the missing tile that is marked by a question mark (?) using one of the six possible options:
The correct answer is the third option from the left.
There are three elements that are changing a cross the rows of the matrix:
The correct answer is the fourth option from the left.
Three rules operate in this matrix:
The correct answer is the fifth option from the left.
There are two rules in this matrix; they are:
Below you will find some rules followed by example questions, along with detailed explanations and tips designed to help you solve Matrigma-style test questions.
In this kind of matrix, the object changes with every step throughout the row or the column (the direction may vary). The changes could be in the length or width of the shape, in the number of objects inside the frame, in the shape’s color, or in any of its other characteristics.
The correct answer is the fourth option from the left.
In this example, in each step, one rhombus shape is added to the frame. This rule applies to both the rows and the columns. In the rows, the addition progresses in a clockwise direction, and in the columns, it progresses in an anticlockwise direction. The first answer from the left is incorrect, even though it fulfils the matrix's rules, as the shape in it is rotated, which breaks the pattern of the row and column.
Tip: There are two ways to look at the progression in the above example: 1. In each step, the object becomes more complete. 2. In each step, the number of rhombuses increases by one. The first way is more visual and the second is more detail-oriented. When answering a question, choose the method you feel suits you most. (You will learn how to do this as you answer more practice questions.)
In questions of this type, the figures in the matrix rotate in a determined pattern across either rows or columns. You need to identify the pattern of the rotation to answer the question correctly. Let’s look at an example:
The correct answer is the second option from the right.
In this sample question, you can see that the rotation is operating in each row, rather than in each column. You can see that the figure rotates upon its axis at 90° clockwise in each frame (looking from left to right). It makes sense to look at the changes occurring in the rows from left to right, as the missing figure is the rightmost frame in the bottom row.
The missing figure, then, is the one which completes this pattern. Look at the middle figure in the bottom row and picture what it would look like if it were turned 90° clockwise. This is your answer.
Tip: If you can notice at first glance that the number of objects remains the same across all frames in the row or column, the next thing you should check is if you can detect any movement of the object itself or inside of it.
In questions of this type, the relationship between certain features of the figures in the matrix determines the amount and/or order of their appearance. Let’s look at an example:
The correct answer is the fourth option from the left.
In this sample question, the relationship is between the alignment of the shapes. You can see that the pattern established in the top two rows is that two of the three shapes face a certain direction and the third shape faces the opposite direction. In other words, within each row, the straight alignment has a frequency of two and the opposite alignment has a frequency of one. Looking at the columns, you can see the relationship is not one of alignments, but of shapes. Three shapes are present: an equilateral triangle, a trapezoid, and a right triangle. Moreover, each is present once, or has a frequency of one. In the final column, you can expect the same pattern of frequency.
Tip: There are many different elements which can come into play using the frequency rule. If you think you are facing a frequency question, try examining the following features of the figures and shapes: Quantity, Color, Alignment, Position in the row/column.
In this kind of matrix, two objects from the same row or column are combined to form the third object. In simple matrices, this combination might look just like a simple addition equation. For example:
The correct answer is the fourth option from the left.
The combination of the two objects in the bottom row (the equation) form the fourth answer from the left (the result). For some matrices, you will be asked to find the result of the equation, while for others, you will be asked to find one of the components of the equation.
Tip: In more complicated matrices, the combination will not be as complete and immediately clear as in the example above. There might be certain rules that determine which parts of the objects combined will merge and which will not.
In motion matrices, the objects move (change their position) with each step. Usually, the motion is of one or more of the objects inside a frame. To identify the movement of the inner object, it is useful to compare the outer object or frames across either the rows or columns.
The correct answer in this sample question is the second option from the left.
In each frame, there are three shapes: a X, a heart shape, and a circle. In each step, the three shapes move positions in a clockwise direction. Therefore, in the correct answer, the X should be at the top-left corner of the frame, the circle at the bottom-left corner, and the heart at the bottom-right corner.
Tip: When answering motion matrices, you should use the outer shape or the frame to locate the changes in an object's motion. For example, when the outer shape is a square, focus on the corners and the sides, and when the outer shape is a circle, try to look at the circle as a clock and locate the inner shapes on its hours. The inner objects' motions will never be random, but rather fixed to certain coordinates in the outer shape or frame.
Matrigma Test Results
The way Matrigma test scores are calculated is confidential. This means that when all is said and done, you will not know your score. You will only know if your score was average, below or above. However, we can tell you that answering half of the questions correctly will give you an average score. According to our long years of experience, you will need to be in the top 20% to pass the test successfully.
Q: Abstract questions are very difficult as the questions are ambiguous. How should I approach solving them?
Q: Does your practice pack support both versions of the Matrigma?