Barbados Police Entrance Exam key terms

A conclusion drawn from evidence and reasoning rather than from a statement made outright. In reading questions, you infer what a passage implies by weighing the clues it provides.

The central point a passage or paragraph is built to support. Every other sentence either explains, illustrates, or qualifies it, so identifying it helps you answer comprehension questions quickly.

A fact can be checked and proven true or false; an opinion expresses a belief, judgement, or feeling. Verbal reasoning items often ask you to separate the two within the same sentence.

The sentence, usually first in a paragraph, that announces what the paragraph is about. The remaining sentences supply detail, example, or proof in support of it.

A word that carries the same or a very similar meaning as another word, such as 'begin' and 'commence'. Synonym questions test the breadth of your working vocabulary.

A word with the opposite meaning to another, such as 'scarce' and 'abundant'. Antonym items ask you to pick the choice that reverses the meaning of the given word.

A hint inside the surrounding sentence or paragraph that reveals the meaning of an unfamiliar word. Nearby examples, contrasts, and definitions are the most common clues.

A leaning toward one side that distorts fair judgement. Recognising bias helps you judge whether a written account is balanced or slanted toward a particular interest.

The quality of writing in which ideas follow in a clear, logical order and connect smoothly. Linking words such as 'however' and 'therefore' are common tools for building it.

A comparison of two quantities showing how many times one contains the other, written as 3:2 or as a fraction. Ratios underpin scale, mixture, and map problems.

A statement that two ratios are equal, allowing you to solve for an unknown quantity. If 4 pens cost 12 dollars, proportion finds the cost of 7 pens.

A fraction expressed as a part of one hundred. Converting between decimals, fractions, and percentages is essential for discount, interest, and population questions.

The sum of a set of values divided by how many values there are. Average questions often give the mean and ask you to work backwards to a missing figure.

The middle value of a set arranged in order; with an even count, it is the mean of the two middle values. It resists distortion by extreme figures better than the average does.

A quantity measured against another, such as kilometres per hour or dollars per litre. Rate problems usually ask for time, distance, or total cost once two of the three values are known.

A technique that first finds the value of a single unit and then multiplies to reach the required amount. It converts many proportion problems into two simple steps.

Money paid for the use of a loan or savings, calculated only on the original principal using the formula principal times rate times time. It does not compound.

Perimeter is the distance around a shape; area is the surface it covers. Candidates should handle rectangles, triangles, and circles with confidence, including compound shapes.

A regional organisation of Caribbean states promoting economic integration, trade, and cooperation. Its secretariat sits in Georgetown, Guyana, and its heads meet in regular summits.

An arrangement allowing goods, services, skilled labour, and capital to move freely among participating CARICOM states. It replaced earlier separate market arrangements and deepened regional integration.

A short-lived political union of British Caribbean territories formed in 1958 and dissolved in 1962 after internal disagreement. Its collapse shaped later moves toward regional cooperation.

A constitutional arrangement in which a country has its own head of state rather than a monarch represented by a governor-general. Barbados became a republic in November 2021.

The annual period, roughly June to November in the Atlantic, when tropical storms are most likely. Caribbean preparedness, warning systems, and building codes are organised around it.

Adjusting communities and infrastructure to cope with altered rainfall, stronger storms, and rising seas. For small island states this includes coastal defence, water storage, and resilient crops.

A form of deductive argument with two premises and a conclusion, as in 'all A are B; all B are C; therefore all A are C'. Validity depends on form, not on whether the claims are true.

Reasoning that moves from general rules to a specific conclusion that must follow if the rules are true. It is contrasted with induction, which generalises from particular observations.

An unstated belief that an argument relies on for its conclusion to hold. Spotting the hidden assumption is often the key to weakening or strengthening an argument.

An ordered pattern such as numbers, letters, or shapes that follow a consistent rule. Your task is to identify the rule and supply the next item in the series.

A factual written record of an event, noting time, place, people involved, actions taken, and witnesses. It must be objective, chronological, and free of personal opinion or speculation.

Writing that reports only observable facts without slant, emotion, or personal judgement. It is the central standard for police reports and for fair witness statements.

Dividing writing into units, each built around one idea, with a clear opening and supporting detail. Good paragraphing makes long reports and statements easy to follow.

The documented record of who handled evidence, when, and for what purpose, from collection to court. Any gap in the record can undermine a case.

The body of fundamental rules setting out how a state is governed, the powers of its institutions, and the rights of citizens. Barbados has a written constitution with entrenched protections.

The principle that everyone, including officials, is subject to the law and answerable to the courts. It guards against arbitrary arrest and unequal treatment.

The fair procedures the law requires before a person is deprived of liberty or property, such as notice of charges, a hearing, and an impartial decision-maker.

Material such as testimony, documents, or physical items presented to prove or disprove a fact in a criminal matter. It must be relevant and lawfully obtained to be admissible.

A strategy in which officers build ongoing relationships with residents to identify and prevent local problems. It relies on trust, consultation, and shared responsibility for safety.

The ability to read a situation, weigh competing interests, and choose a response that is lawful, fair, and proportionate. Test items present realistic dilemmas with several plausible options.

Techniques such as calm speech, distance, and clear communication used to reduce tension before force becomes necessary. It prioritises safety for the public and the officer.

The ability to change direction and body position quickly while keeping balance and control. Agility tests often use shuttle runs, obstacle courses, and timed directional drills.

The capacity to sustain effort over time, supported by the heart, lungs, and muscles. It is commonly assessed by timed runs or step tests during fitness screening.

The maximum force a muscle group can exert in a single effort, as in a lift or a push. Recruitment tests may assess it through push-ups, sit-ups, or grip measures.