The Factorial Structure of the Raven Coloured Progressive Matrices Test

The Raven Coloured Progressive Matrices Test was administered to 180 first, second, and third grade children. Factor analysis revealed three orthogonal factors. They were interpreted as (1) concrete and abstract reasoning, (2) continuous and discrete pattern completion, and (3) pattern completion through closure. The results were discussed in context of the dimensions of the test which Raven and others have described. The issue of the relationship of item difficulty to the internal structure of the test was discussed as well as age-related differences of performance on the single factors.