AFCAT key terms

A word that carries the same or nearly the same meaning as another word, such as 'brave' and 'courageous'. Verbal ability questions often ask you to pick the closest match from four options.

A word whose meaning is opposite to another word, such as 'expand' and 'contract'. Antonym questions test whether you can identify the reverse meaning among distractors that are only loosely related.

A fixed phrase whose meaning cannot be worked out from its individual words, for example 'to bury the hatchet' meaning to end a quarrel. Idioms are tested through sentence completion and meaning-matching items.

A verb combined with a preposition or adverb that together create a new meaning, as in 'give up' (to quit) or 'put off' (to postpone). The particle changes the sense entirely.

A short traditional saying that expresses a general truth or piece of advice, such as 'a stitch in time saves nine'. Questions may ask you to match a proverb to its meaning.

A word that sounds or is spelled like another but differs in meaning, such as 'bank' (river edge) and 'bank' (financial institution). Spotting homonyms helps avoid wrong choices in vocabulary items.

Replacing a descriptive phrase with a single precise word, for example 'one who speaks many languages' becomes 'polyglot'. This is a standard verbal ability question type.

A small word such as in, on, at, or between that links a noun or pronoun to another part of the sentence and shows relationships of place, time, or direction.

A word such as and, but, because, or although that joins words, phrases, or clauses. Choosing the right conjunction is central to sentence-correction and cloze questions.

A sentence construction in which the subject performs the action, as in 'The pilot flew the aircraft'. It is contrasted with passive voice, where the object becomes the subject.

Reporting someone's exact words inside quotation marks, as in 'She said, "I am ready."' Converting between direct and indirect speech is a common grammar exercise.

A fraction expressed out of one hundred, so 25% means 25 parts per 100 or one quarter. Percentages are used heavily in profit, loss, and data-interpretation problems.

A comparison of two quantities of the same kind, written as a:b, showing how many times one contains the other. Ratios underpin mixture, partnership, and speed problems.

The sum of a set of values divided by the number of values, also called the arithmetic mean. Average questions often involve changes when a value is added or removed.

Interest calculated only on the original principal using the formula P × R × T ÷ 100, where P is principal, R the annual rate, and T the time in years. It does not compound.

Interest calculated on both the original principal and on interest already earned, so the amount grows faster than under simple interest over the same period.

The comparison of selling price with cost price to find gain or loss, usually expressed as a percentage of the cost price. Discounts are calculated on the marked price.

The relationship distance = speed × time, used to solve problems about trains, boats, and journeys. Converting units such as km/h to m/s by multiplying by 5/18 is often required.

Problems where the rate of work is the reciprocal of the time taken, so two workers together finish in the product over the sum of their individual times.

A sequence of numbers following a hidden rule, such as adding successive odd numbers, where you must find the next term or the odd one out.

A pair relationship question, written as A : B :: C : ?, where you identify how the first two items are related and apply the same link to find the missing item.

Identifying the odd item out of a group because it lacks the shared property the others have, such as four birds and one mammal in a list of animals.

A puzzle where letters or words are transformed by a fixed rule, such as shifting each letter two places forward, and you must apply or reverse the rule.

Reasoning questions that describe family links in words or symbols, and ask how two people are related. Drawing a quick family tree usually solves them.

Problems tracking a person's movement through turns (north, south, east, west) to find the final position or the straight-line distance from the start.

A logic problem giving two or more statements such as 'All A are B' and asking which conclusions necessarily follow. Only conclusions true in every case are valid.

A puzzle placing people around a circle or in a row using clues about who sits next to, opposite, or to the left of whom, to determine the full order.

Solving problems using shapes, patterns, rotations, mirrors, and embedded figures rather than words or numbers, testing spatial visualisation and pattern recognition.

Questions giving a person's position from either end of a line and asking for total strength or another rank, using the rule total = left rank + right rank − 1.

The lawful authority a superior officer exercises over subordinates, including the power to issue orders that must be obeyed within the chain of command.

The ability to influence and guide a group towards a shared goal, in the military context by setting example, taking responsibility, and maintaining the team's morale.

The level of confidence, enthusiasm, and willingness to persevere that a person or unit displays, especially under hardship. High morale improves cohesion and performance.

Willing obedience to rules and orders, together with self-control and punctuality. It is the foundation of military effectiveness and is assessed in officer-selection tasks.

The formal line of authority running from the highest to the lowest level of an organisation, defining who reports to whom and how orders flow downward.

A French-derived term for the shared spirit of loyalty and pride that binds members of a unit together, making them act for the group rather than only for themselves.

A formal military court that tries service personnel for offences under military law, with procedures and punishments distinct from those of civilian courts.

A person's official grade within the armed forces hierarchy, such as Squadron Leader or Major, which determines authority, seniority, and forms of address.

A provision of the Indian Code of Criminal Procedure allowing a magistrate to prohibit assembly of four or more persons in an area to prevent disturbance of public order.

The basic rights guaranteed to citizens under Part III of the Indian Constitution, including equality, freedom of speech, and protection of life and personal liberty.

Guidelines in Part IV of the Indian Constitution directing the state towards social and economic welfare goals. They are not enforceable in courts but guide policy-making.

The temporary replacement of civilian administration by military authority in an area facing severe breakdown of order, suspending ordinary courts and normal legal processes.