AAMC FL Practice Exam

At what age range does the concrete operational stage occur, according to Piaget?

1. 0-2 years

2. 2-6 years

3. 6-11 years

4. 12+ years

The correct answer is: 6-11 years

The concrete operational stage, as defined by Jean Piaget, typically occurs between the ages of 6 and 11 years. During this stage, children develop the ability to think logically about concrete events and understand the concept of conservation — that is, recognizing that the quantity of an object does not change even when its shape does. They begin to think more logically and are able to classify objects, perform arithmetic operations, and understand the perspective of others. This developmental phase marks a significant transition from the preoperational stage, where children's thinking is more intuitive and egocentric, to a more rational, organized way of thinking.