RBPF Entrance Exam flashcards

32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

Who versus whom

'Who' is used as a subject, as in 'Who called?'; 'whom' is used as an object, as in 'Whom did you call?' Substitute he or him to check.

Affect versus effect

Affect is usually a verb meaning to influence; effect is usually a noun meaning a result. 'The policy affected prices' and 'the effect was small' are correct.

Fewer versus less

Use 'fewer' with countable plural nouns and 'less' with uncountable nouns. 'Fewer cars' and 'less traffic' are correct; 'less cars' is wrong.

Dangling modifier

A modifier must clearly attach to the noun it describes. In 'Walking to school, the rain started,' the rain appears to walk; rewrite with a clear subject.

Semicolon rule

A semicolon joins two independent clauses that are closely related. It cannot join a clause to a fragment; use a comma when a conjunction is present.

Percentage change formula

Percentage change equals new value minus old value, divided by old value, then multiplied by 100. A positive result is an increase; negative is a decrease.

Successive percentage changes

Two successive changes of a% and b% combine as (1+a/100)(1+b/100)−1, not as a+b. For 10% then 20%, the net change is 32%.

Average speed formula

Average speed equals total distance divided by total time. For equal distances at speeds x and y, the harmonic mean 2xy/(x+y) applies, not the arithmetic average.

Compound interest formula

Compound amount equals principal times (1 + rate/100)^time, where rate is the annual rate and time is in years. Interest is amount minus principal.

Combined work rate

If one worker takes a days and another b days, their combined rate is 1/a + 1/b of the job per day, so together they take ab/(a+b) days.

Contrapositive equivalence

If P then Q is logically equivalent to its contrapositive: if not Q then not P. The converse, if Q then P, is not equivalent.

Valid syllogism form

From 'All A are B' and 'All B are C', it validly follows that 'All A are C'. This is a transitive categorical argument.

Affirming the consequent

Concluding P from 'If P then Q' and Q is the fallacy of affirming the consequent. It is invalid because Q may have other causes.

Venn diagram some

In a Venn diagram, 'Some A are B' is true when the A and B circles overlap. 'No A are B' means the circles are entirely separate.

Number series differences

For number series, first compute consecutive differences. Constant differences indicate arithmetic progression; constant ratios indicate geometric progression; mixed patterns may alternate.

Median calculation

The median is the middle value when data are ordered. For an even count, it is the average of the two middle values. It resists extreme outliers.

Weighted average formula

Weighted average equals the sum of each value multiplied by its weight, divided by the sum of weights. Larger groups therefore influence the result more.

Pie chart angle

A pie chart sector angle equals the category value divided by the total, multiplied by 360 degrees. All sector angles sum to 360 degrees.

Correlation versus causation

Correlation means two variables move together; causation means one produces change in the other. A third variable or coincidence can explain correlation.

UN Security Council members

The UN Security Council has five permanent members: China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Ten other members are elected for two-year terms.

Sustainable Development Goals

The United Nations adopted 17 Sustainable Development Goals in 2015, aiming to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure prosperity by 2030.

Fundamental Rights in India

India's Fundamental Rights are in Part III of the Constitution. They include equality, freedom, protection from exploitation, religion, culture, education, and constitutional remedies.

GDP definition

Gross Domestic Product is the market value of all final goods and services produced within a country's borders during a specific period, usually a year or quarter.

Repo rate

The repo rate is the interest rate at which a central bank lends money to commercial banks, usually against government securities, to manage liquidity and inflation.

Minimum force principle

Use only the amount of force necessary and proportionate to the threat. Force must stop once resistance ends and must be legally justified and documented.

Escalation rule

Escalate to a supervisor when a situation exceeds your authority, competence, or resources, or when safety risks are beyond your control.

Immediate risk priority

Prioritise immediate threats to life and physical safety over paperwork, routine inquiries, and administrative tasks. Address urgent harm first, then complete reports.

Contemporaneous record

Record decisions, times, actions, and witnesses as soon as practicable. Contemporaneous notes are more reliable evidence and support accountability during later review.

Conflict of interest

A conflict of interest occurs when a personal, financial, or family interest could improperly influence official judgement. Disclose it and withdraw from the decision.

Procedural fairness

Procedural fairness requires giving affected people a voice, acting neutrally, treating them with respect, and explaining decisions with trustworthy motives.

Confidentiality principle

Confidential information should be accessed only for a legitimate purpose and shared only on a need-to-know basis, consistent with law and policy.

Cultural sensitivity

Cultural sensitivity means recognising and respecting differences in language, religion, custom, and social norms when dealing with community members, without compromising legal standards.