Matrigma Test

What is the Matrigma Test?

Matrigma is a highly regarded non-verbal cognitive ability assessment that measures general mental ability through abstract, matrix-style problems. Published by Assessio and distributed globally (including via Hogan Assessments), it’s widely used to identify candidates with strong learning agility, logical problem solving, and the capacity to handle complex work across roles and industries.

The test comes in two formats:

• Classic Matrigma — fixed form with 35 items and a 40-minute time limit. Items and response options are randomized to support secure administration.

• Adaptive Matrigma — a computer-adaptive version commonly administered in 12 minutes, with a 60-second cap per item.

Because Matrigma is language-independent and focused on fluid, abstract reasoning, organizations use it early in hiring to predict on-the-job learning speed and decision quality, often alongside personality or job-specific tests.

Here, we’ll cover what you need to know about the Matrigma test.

What questions can I expect on the Matrigma?

Matrigma is a non-verbal test built around matrix puzzles. In each question you see a 3×3 grid of visual patterns with one cell missing. Your task is to identify the rule(s) governing the rows and columns and choose the option that correctly completes the grid.

How items are structured

• The grid follows consistent rules across each row and column (often more than one rule at a time).
• Answer choices contain plausible distractors that satisfy some but not all rules—precision matters.
• Difficulty increases as rules become subtler, combine, or interact.
• In the adaptive version, the test selects easier or harder items based on your previous answers.

Common rule families you’ll see

• Progression: A feature increases/decreases stepwise (size, number of shapes, line thickness).
• Movement/Shift: Elements move left/right/up/down or wrap around the grid.
• Rotation/Reflection: Shapes rotate (e.g., 90° each step) or mirror across an axis.
• Overlay/Layering: Rows/columns combine shapes (superimpose) to produce the next cell.
• Logical operations: Presence/absence combines via rules like AND/OR/XOR (e.g., overlapping parts appear/disappear).
• Counting/Parity: The number of elements follows a pattern or alternates odd/even.
• Attribute cycling: Color/shading, texture, or fill style cycles through a fixed order.
• Permutation/Substitution: Parts swap positions or exchange attributes in a predictable way.
• Consistency constraints: A property remains constant across a line while others change (e.g., total corners always equals 12).

What’s not on the test

• No reading comprehension, vocabulary, or job-specific knowledge.
• No arithmetic or word problems—only visual logic.

Matrigma Test preparation is part of our  Hogan Test Prep Package.

How is the Matrigma score calculated?

Matrigma is scored as a ability-based, norm-referenced test. Your responses are converted into an estimate of overall reasoning ability and then compared with a reference (norm) group to produce an interpretable result such as a percentile and/or band (e.g., Below Average, Average, Above Average).

Classic Matrigma (fixed form)

• Raw score: the number of correct answers across the fixed set of items.
• Scale conversion: the raw score is transformed onto the publisher’s reporting scale so different test versions remain comparable.
• Norms: your scaled score is compared to a selected norm group (e.g., general population, graduates, managers) to yield a percentile and a descriptive band.

Adaptive Matrigma (computer-adaptive)

• Item difficulty matters: each question has a calibrated difficulty. The test selects easier/harder items based on your previous answers.
• Ability estimate: after each response the system updates an underlying ability estimate (often denoted θ) using an item-response model; the final θ reflects both correctness and the difficulty of the items you saw.
• Precision: the test also estimates the measurement precision (standard error). More well-targeted items → higher precision.
• Reporting: your final θ is mapped to the same reporting scale as Classic, then referenced to norms to produce a percentile/band.

What affects your result

• Correct vs. incorrect answers: correctness is the core driver of score in both formats.
• (Adaptive only) Difficulty of items administered: answering harder items correctly contributes to a higher ability estimate than answering easier items.
• Chosen norm group: the same ability can translate to different percentiles depending on the comparison group.

What typically does not affect your result

• Response time: speed is usually reported separately (if at all). Only unanswered/expired items count as incorrect in timed administrations.
• Guessing penalties: there is no additional penalty beyond “incorrect”.

How to prepare for the Matrigma Test?

Preparing for the Matrigma will help you perform better and increase your chances of landing the job. There are several things you can do to prepare for the Matrigma:

• Get fluent with the rule families most items use. These are covered in detail in our Matrigma Test Prep course (part of the Hogan Prep Package).
• Practice questions similar to those on the Matrigma test, this will familiarize you with the questions and help you feel more confident about taking the test.
• Set up a simulated Matrigma Test with the same question types and time limit. We recommend running the format you expect to face: Adaptive or non-adaptive.

Tips for taking the Matrigma Classic (non-adaptive)

• Keep an eye on the time. You only have 40 minutes to answer as many questions as you can.
• You should not spend too much time on any one question. If you are not close to an answer after about 90 seconds, take a guess and move on.
• If you do not know the answer to a question, or if you find yourself taking too much time on any one question, you should guess at the answer rather than leave it unanswered. There is no penalty for wrong answers.
• If torn between two options: pick the one that satisfies all detected rules, not just one.
• Clarity over speed. Do not rush. Preparation makes the difference

We can help you prepare for the Matrigma Test. With our Hogan Test Prep package, you get more than 200 Matrigma practice questions with explained solutions, three full-length simulated Matrigma tests (adaptive and classic),  and guidance throughout your training. Get access now.

Try our free Matrigma practice test below.