William Cope
May Thet Khine Nyein
Obie Ellmoos.png "Nathan Luise")
Nathan Luise
Olive SabiitiAssessment for Learning MOOC’s Updates
Looking at the Raven’s Progressive Matrices
I want to talk about an intelligence test that I found really interesting called the Raven’s Progressive Matrices. In this test, people look at patterns and sequences and have to figure out the missing piece. I like it because it measures reasoning and problem-solving rather than memorized knowledge. As a teacher, I often think about how students come from very different backgrounds, and this kind of test seems fairer because it does not rely on what someone has already learned.
At the same time, I can see its limitations. It does not measure creativity, motivation, or practical problem-solving, and some students might feel frustrated if they are not used to this type of thinking. I think it can be useful to understand cognitive strengths, but it works best when combined with other ways of assessing a person’s abilities.
https://www.google.com.tw/books/edition/Statistical_Analysis_of_Human_Growth_and/IG2NEQAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=Raven,+J.+2000.+Raven%E2%80%99s+Progressive+Matrices.+Pearson+Assessment&pg=PA315&printsec=frontcover
.png "Aylen Alcaraz")
You’ve raised some really important points about the Raven’s Progressive Matrices. I agree that one of its greatest strengths is how it focuses on reasoning rather than prior knowledge, which can make it feel more equitable for students from diverse backgrounds. Your observation as a teacher is especially valuable—tests like this help shift the emphasis from what students know to how they think.
At the same time, I appreciate that you acknowledged its limitations. Intelligence is multidimensional, and no single test can fully capture aspects like creativity, resilience, or real-world problem-solving. Some students might also find abstract pattern recognition challenging if they haven’t been exposed to similar tasks before.
Overall, your reflection highlights a balanced view: the Raven’s Matrices can provide useful insights into cognitive processing, but it’s most meaningful when paired with other assessments that consider the whole learner. Great analysis!