A Confirmatory Factor Analytic Study Examining the Dimensionality of the Raven'S Advanced Progressive Matrices

Abstract

The objective of the current study was to provide a direct comparison of two competing views of the underlying structure of the Raven's Advanced Progressive Matrices (APM), a widely used test designed as a nonverbal measure of general cognitive ability (g). The first view postulates a two-factor model to explain the structure of the APM; and the second view, a single-factor model. The results of a confirmatory factor analysis suggest that a single-factor solution seems to be the best representation of the APM's structure. These findings are also consistent with the original development and intended use of the APM as a measure of a unidimensional construct.