The Matrigma Test is a cognitive assessment that measures a person’s general mental ability through non-verbal, abstract reasoning questions. Developed by a Swedish psychologist, it aims to provide an objective measure of intelligence and problem-solving skills using visual spatial puzzles. The Matrigma has gained popularity among recruiters and human resource professionals as a tool to evaluate candidates’ overall thinking abilities and potential job performance.
What is the Matrigma Test?
The Matrigma Test was created in the 1970s by Hans Jürgen Eysenck, a German psychologist known for his research on intelligence and personality. The name “Matrigma” is derived from the Latin words for “matrix” and “enigma.” It was designed to test cognitive skills such as mental speed, inductive reasoning, spatial visualization, and fluid intelligence – the ability to identify patterns and think logically, independent of acquired knowledge.
The test consists of 42 non-verbal, multiple choice questions to be solved within a 40 minute time limit. The questions take the form of abstract patterns or shapes that follow a logical progression or relationship. The test taker must identify the underlying logic and pick the correct choice to complete the pattern or sequence. For example, a question might show a series of shapes that change in a particular way over each step and the test taker must identify the next shape in the progression.
Abilities Assessed by the Matrigma
The Matrigma aims to measure three cognitive domains:
- Speed of mental processing – the ability to quickly perceive relationships, make logical connections, and arrive at the correct solution. Test takers have a limited time to answer each question, assessing their mental quickness.
- Inductive reasoning – the ability to identify logical rules, patterns and relationships in novel situations. Test takers must discern the underlying logic of each abstract sequence rapidly.
- Spatial visualization – the ability to mentally rotate shapes, identify patterns and process visual information. Many of the test items involve visual-spatial relationships.
In essence, the Matrigma provides insight into a person’s general fluid intelligence. According to experts, performance on the Matrigma correlates highly with IQ scores on standard intelligence tests. At the same time, it is considered culture-fair and language-neutral, making it accessible across different demographics.
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Three Full-Length Simulation Matrigma-Style
Timed Tests of 35 Questions Each
Usually, you will encounter one of two different versions of the assessment:
Classic Matrigma
This format is the most popular version of the test. It is also the longest, with a 40-minute time limit to answer 35 questions. As a result, you will have approximately 1:15 minutes to answer each question.
Remember that questions increase in difficulty as you progress throughout the test. However, note that they might be random easier (or harder) questions mixed in.
Adaptive Matrigma
Also known as Matrigma 2, this version includes a newer format of the traditional evaluation. As a result, it is less common. It consists of 40 questions to be answered in 12 minutes — leaving candidates with exactly one minute per item.
Given that this version is adaptive, the level of difficulty of the questions depends on the answer to the previous question. Hence, for every question you answer correctly, the following item will be harder. Thus, if you answer incorrectly, the next question will decrease in difficulty.
Lastly, you must know that the way the Matrigma Test scores are strictly confidential. Meaning you will only know if your punctuation was ‘average,’ ‘below average,’ or ‘above average.’ Based on previous experiences, answering at least half of the questions correctly (18 to 20 over 40) will result in an ‘average’ score.
However, to successfully pass the assessment, you will need to be within the top 20%. So, be prepared as the Matrigma Test result is all about how many problems you were able to solve effectively within the given time constraint.
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How to Solve Matrigma Test Questions?
Here are some tips on how to solve Matrigma Test questions effectively:
- Read the instructions carefully: Make sure you understand the instructions and the format of the test before you begin. This will help you to manage your time effectively and ensure that you answer all of the questions within the allotted time frame.
- Focus on understanding the relationships between concepts: The questions on the Matrigma Test often involve identifying relationships between concepts and solving problems using logical reasoning. Focus on understanding the relationships between the concepts in the question and use deductive reasoning to arrive at the correct answer.
- Eliminate incorrect answers: If you are unsure about an answer, try to eliminate any options that you know are incorrect. This can help you to narrow down your choices and increase your chances of selecting the correct answer.
- Practice with sample questions: Practice with sample questions to familiarize yourself with the types of questions that may be included on the test. This can help you to build your problem-solving skills and improve your performance on the test.
- Manage your time effectively: The Matrigma Test is timed, so it is important to manage your time effectively. If you get stuck on a question, move on to the next one and come back to it later if you have time.
Raven’s Progressive Matrices Vs Matrigma
Here is a comparison of the Raven’s Progressive Matrices test and the Matrigma test:
Similarities
- Both measure abstract reasoning ability through visual pattern matching questions
- Aim to provide a non-verbal assessment of fluid intelligence
- Require inductive logic and spatial visualization skills
- Have questions arranged by increasing difficulty
- Are multiple choice format with only one correct answer
- Used for recruitment, selection, and career guidance purposes
Differences
Raven’s Progressive Matrices:
- Created by John C. Raven in 1936
- Has 60 questions divided into 5 sets of 12
- Each question has a 3×3 matrix of geometric patterns with the bottom right one missing
- Test taker selects the missing piece from 6-8 options
- No time limit
Matrigma Test:
- Created by Hans Jürgen Eysenck in the 1970s
- Has 42 questions
- abstract visual sequences and patterns rather than matrices
- Only 4-5 options per question
- Has a strict 40 minute time limit
- Covers mental speed, inductive reasoning, spatial visualization
- Scores are normed with population mean of 100 and SD of 15
- Can be administered online or paper-based
While both measure non-verbal reasoning, the Matrigma emphasizes speed and has a broader scope including mental processing. The Raven’s is untimed and focused solely on logicalpattern matching. The Matrigma’s timed nature and sequence questions likely make it a bit harder. Both provide valid measures of fluid intelligence and are commonly used for similar purposes.
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