CBP Officer Entrance Examination key terms

A statement offered as evidence or support for a conclusion in an argument. Identifying premises helps you separate what an author assumes from what they are trying to prove.

The main claim an argument tries to establish. It is the statement the other sentences are meant to support, and it is often signaled by words like therefore or thus.

An unstated belief the argument depends on but does not defend. If an assumption is false, the reasoning collapses, so spotting it is a common way to find the flaw.

A conclusion drawn from given information rather than stated outright. Test questions ask which inference is best supported, meaning the one requiring the fewest extra guesses.

Reasoning in which the conclusion must be true whenever the premises are true. Validity concerns structure, not whether the premises are actually correct in the real world.

A property of an argument that is both valid in structure and built on true premises. A sound argument guarantees a true conclusion, while a valid one only guarantees it conditionally.

A sentence of the form if P then Q, linking a condition to a result. Recognizing the antecedent and consequent prevents errors such as treating the converse as equivalent.

The logically equivalent form of if P then Q, namely if not Q then not P. Unlike the converse, the contrapositive always preserves the truth of the original statement.

A flaw that treats if P then Q as if it meant if Q then P. The reversed form is not equivalent, so a conclusion resting on it does not follow.

A circumstance whose presence guarantees the outcome. In if P then Q, P is sufficient for Q, though other causes might also produce Q.

A circumstance that must hold for the outcome to occur, without which it cannot happen. In if P then Q, Q is necessary for P, so its absence rules out P.

A question type asking which added information makes the conclusion more likely to be true. The correct choice typically closes a gap between evidence and claim.

A question type asking which added information undermines the conclusion. The best answer usually supplies an alternative explanation or shows the evidence is unrepresentative.

A comparison of two quantities expressed as a quotient, such as officers to vehicles. Ratios let you scale a relationship up or down while keeping the same proportion.

An equation stating that two ratios are equal. Setting up a proportion lets you solve for an unknown value when the relationship between quantities stays constant.

A shortcut for solving proportions by multiplying the numerator of one fraction by the denominator of the other. It converts a proportion into a simple linear equation.

A rate expressed per single unit, such as inspections per hour or cost per mile. Unit rates make comparisons easy because every quantity is reduced to the same base.

The difference between an old and new value divided by the original value, then multiplied by 100. Always divide by the starting amount, not the ending amount.

A fraction expressed out of one hundred. Converting between decimals, fractions, and percents is the foundation for discounts, interest, and statistical questions.

An average in which each value contributes in proportion to its assigned weight. It differs from a simple mean whenever the groups being combined are of unequal size.

The arithmetic average, found by adding all values and dividing by how many there are. Outliers pull the mean strongly, which is why median is sometimes reported instead.

The middle value when data are arranged in order; with an even count, it is the average of the two middle values. It resists distortion from extreme numbers.

The difference between the largest and smallest values in a data set. It is quick to compute but reflects only the two extreme observations.

Interest computed only on the original principal, using principal times rate times time. Unlike compound interest, it does not grow on previously earned interest.

Interest calculated on both the principal and any interest already accumulated. The balance grows faster than with simple interest because earnings themselves earn interest.

A problem about how long tasks take when people or machines work at given rates, alone or together. Rates add, so combined time is found by summing individual rates.

An equation in which each variable appears to the first power, producing a straight-line graph. Most arithmetic word problems translate into one of these and are solved by isolating the variable.

The rule that a verb must match its subject in number and person. Errors often appear when phrases separate the subject from the verb or when the subject is an indefinite pronoun.

A descriptive phrase that does not clearly attach to the word it is meant to describe. Repositioning the phrase or naming the intended subject repairs the sentence.

Presenting items in a series or comparison in the same grammatical form, such as all infinitives or all nouns. Consistency signals clear writing and is frequently tested.

The clarity of the relationship between a pronoun and the noun it replaces. Ambiguous or missing antecedents force the reader to guess who or what is meant.

Joining two independent clauses with only a comma. It is repaired with a period, semicolon, or coordinating conjunction before the second clause.

Two or more independent clauses fused without adequate punctuation or a conjunction. It differs from a comma splice only in lacking the comma.

The central point a passage conveys, broader than any single detail. Correct answers capture the whole passage rather than a supporting fact or an overreach.

A fact, example, or reason that backs up the main idea of a passage. Detail questions reward careful reading rather than outside knowledge.

The attitude an author conveys toward the subject, such as critical, neutral, or cautious. Word choice and emphasis reveal tone even when it is never stated directly.

Determining the meaning of a word from how it is used in a sentence rather than from a memorized definition. The same word can shift meaning with the surrounding passage.

The formal line of authority through which orders and accountability flow within a law enforcement organization. Understanding it matters for knowing whom to notify and who may direct action.

A reasonable belief, based on facts and circumstances, that a person has committed or is committing an offense. It is a higher standard than mere suspicion and supports arrests and certain searches.

A particularized, articulable basis for believing criminal activity may be occurring, allowing brief investigative stops. It requires specific facts, not a mere hunch.

A graduated framework describing levels of officer response matched to the subject's behavior, escalating and de-escalating as the situation changes. It emphasizes proportional, reasonable responses.