VIC Selective Entry key terms

A conclusion reached by reasoning from evidence and clues rather than from a statement that says it directly. Readers and problem-solvers build inferences when the answer is implied but not spelled out.

The specific details in a text, diagram or situation that support a claim or answer. Strong answers point to evidence rather than relying on personal opinion or guesswork.

Something suggested by a statement or situation without being stated outright. Spotting implications means noticing what the writer assumes the reader will understand.

An idea a person accepts as true without proof, often needed to make an argument work. Identifying hidden assumptions is a common way to test whether reasoning is sound.

A stated reason or piece of information offered in support of a conclusion. Arguments are built from premises, and the conclusion should follow from them.

The main point an argument or passage is trying to establish. It is what the other statements are meant to support or prove.

Reasoning that moves from general rules to a guaranteed specific result. If the starting statements are true and the logic is correct, the conclusion must be true.

Reasoning that builds a general rule from particular examples or observations. Inductive conclusions are probable rather than certain, because future cases might differ.

The property of an argument whose conclusion really does follow from its premises, regardless of whether those premises are true. Validity concerns structure, not factual accuracy.

A formal argument made of two premises and a conclusion, often using words like all, some and none. Testing a syllogism means checking whether the conclusion must follow.

A broad statement drawn from limited cases. Good thinkers check whether the sample is large and varied enough to justify the general claim being made.

A single case that shows a general claim is false. Finding one counterexample is often the quickest way to disprove a rule or hypothesis.

A proposed explanation or prediction that can be tested against evidence. A good hypothesis makes clear what observations would support it and what would count against it.

A factor that can change or take different values in a situation or investigation. Identifying variables helps you see which factor actually causes an effect.

A pattern in which two things tend to occur together or change together. Correlation alone does not prove that one thing causes the other.

A relationship in which one factor actually produces a change in another. Establishing causation usually requires ruling out other explanations and chance.

A comparison that explains something unfamiliar by showing how it resembles something familiar. Analogies aid understanding but can mislead if the similarity is only partial.

A regular or repeating arrangement in shapes, numbers, letters or events. Finding a pattern means identifying the rule that generates the sequence so you can predict what comes next.

An ordered list of items, such as numbers or shapes, arranged according to a rule. Working out the rule lets you supply missing or following items.

A stated or discovered principle that determines how something works or what must happen next. In reasoning tasks, the rule is the underlying logic behind a pattern.

The ability to picture and mentally manipulate shapes, positions and movements in space. It includes rotating objects, folding nets and judging relative location.

Turning a shape around a fixed point by a given angle, without flipping it. Mental rotation tasks ask you to predict how a figure looks after turning.

A mirror image of a shape across a line or plane. A reflection reverses orientation, which distinguishes it from a rotation.

A balanced arrangement in which a shape or pattern looks unchanged after a flip, turn or slide. Symmetry helps simplify pattern and design problems.

A flat, unfolded version of a three-dimensional shape that can be folded back into it. Predicting which net forms a given solid is a common spatial task.

Grouping items according to shared features or a common rule. Good classification depends on choosing relevant features and ignoring irrelevant ones.

The item in a set that does not share the defining feature of the others. Explaining why it differs shows you have identified the underlying rule.

The central point a passage is making, which the other sentences support or explain. It is broader than a detail and usually stated or implied near the start or end.

A fact, example or reason in a passage that helps develop or prove the main idea. Distinguishing details from the main idea is a core comprehension skill.

A short account of the most important points of a text, leaving out minor details. A good summary captures the main idea and key supporting points in your own words.

Restating an idea in different words while keeping the original meaning. Paraphrasing shows understanding and is useful when summarising or explaining.

The attitude a writer or speaker conveys through word choice, such as humorous, serious, critical or sympathetic. Tone shapes how a message should be interpreted.

The feeling or association a word carries beyond its literal meaning. Words with similar dictionary meanings can have very different connotations, changing a passage's effect.

The literal, dictionary meaning of a word, separate from any emotional association. Distinguishing denotation from connotation helps with precise interpretation.

A leaning toward one side that can distort judgement or how information is presented. Detecting bias means noticing slanted language, omitted facts or unfair comparisons.

A flaw in which the group studied is not representative of the wider population. Conclusions drawn from a biased sample may not apply more broadly.

Generating many possible ideas quickly without judging them at first. Judging comes later, so unusual ideas have a chance to spark better solutions.

Producing a wide range of different ideas or solutions to an open problem. It is valued for originality and flexibility rather than for a single correct answer.

Narrowing many possibilities down to the single best or correct answer. It complements divergent thinking by testing and selecting among generated ideas.

Approaching a problem from an unexpected angle instead of following the obvious step-by-step path. It often produces creative solutions that direct reasoning misses.

Judging options against clear criteria such as usefulness, cost, fairness or accuracy. Careful evaluation compares alternatives before committing to one.

The standards or tests used to judge or compare options. Setting criteria before deciding helps make choices consistent and defensible.

The reasons or evidence given to show that a conclusion or choice is reasonable. A strong justification links the decision directly to the criteria and evidence used.

A simplified representation of a real situation, used to explore how it works or predict outcomes. Models are useful but leave out details, so their limits matter.

Running a model or scenario to see what might happen under different conditions. Simulations let you test ideas safely before acting in the real world.

Applying a concept or skill learned in one context to a new and different situation. Strong transfer shows genuine understanding rather than memorised procedure.

Using a known rule, method or idea to solve a specific practical problem. It requires recognising which concept fits the situation and adapting it correctly.