Australian Custodial/Correctional Aptitude flashcards

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

Main idea

The central claim a passage is written to support. It is broader than any single detail and is usually restated in the opening or closing sentences.

Valid inference

A conclusion that must be true if the stated facts are true. Plausible or likely conclusions are not valid inferences on reasoning tests.

Quantifier scope

Words such as all, some, none, and only set how much a statement covers. Changing the quantifier changes whether the statement is true.

Percentage change formula

Subtract the original value from the new value, divide by the original value, then multiply by 100. A negative result indicates a decrease.

Percentage points versus percent

A move from 20% to 25% is a rise of 5 percentage points but a 25% relative increase. Confusing the two is a common error.

Rounding rule

Carry full precision through every intermediate calculation and round only the final answer, otherwise small rounding errors compound into a wrong option.

Reflection versus rotation

Rotation turns a shape while preserving its orientation and handedness. Reflection flips it, reversing handedness, so mirrored figures are never pure rotations.

Alternating series rule

When consecutive terms do not follow one pattern, split the sequence into odd-position and even-position terms and test each subsequence separately.

Fold-and-punch reversal

To undo a folded paper, unfold one fold at a time; each hole is mirrored across the fold line, producing a symmetric pattern of holes.

Cube net opposites

In a flat net of a cube, faces separated by exactly one face in a straight row become opposite faces and never share an edge.

Situational priority order

Rank responses by immediate safety first, then legal and procedural compliance, then welfare of those involved, and finally efficiency or convenience.

Least intrusive action

Choose the lowest-level intervention that resolves the situation effectively. Escalation is reserved for risks beyond your authority or training.

Duty to report

Safety, security, and integrity concerns must be documented and passed to the appropriate supervisor. Concealment is itself a breach of duty.

Duty of care

A legal and ethical obligation to act reasonably to prevent foreseeable harm to people affected by your work, including those in custody.

Conflict of interest

A personal interest that could improperly influence an official decision. It must be declared and the person removed from that decision.

Proportionate force

Force must be lawful, necessary, and no more than required to address the risk. Every use is documented and subject to review.

Need-to-know disclosure

Confidential personal information is shared only with those who require it to perform their duties, or where law compels disclosure.

Active listening

Paraphrasing the speaker's content and reflecting their feeling before responding, which confirms understanding and reduces escalation.

Open versus closed questions

Open questions invite explanation and gather information; closed questions confirm specific facts with yes, no, or short answers.

De-escalation technique

Lower volume, slow speech, use the person's name, maintain safe distance, and offer limited choices to restore control and reduce threat.

Behaviour versus label

Describe what a person did, such as raising their voice, rather than applying a character judgement such as calling them aggressive.

Closed-loop communication

The sender gives a message, the receiver repeats it back, and the sender confirms. This prevents misheard instructions during high-pressure tasks.

Handover structure

Report identify, situation, background, assessment, and recommendation in that order so the receiving person gets complete, ordered information quickly.

Constructive feedback

Feedback that is specific, timely, focused on observable behaviour, and directed at future improvement rather than past blame.

Role clarity

Confirming who performs each task before work begins. Unclear roles create gaps and duplicated effort, especially during emergencies.

Identifier cross-check

Verify names, dates, and numbers directly against the source document rather than from memory, to catch transposition and entry errors.

Reconciliation check

Opening balance plus additions minus removals must equal the closing balance. A mismatch signals a recording error somewhere in the sequence.

Transposition error

Two digits swapped in a number, such as 45 written as 54. Re-entering the value or summing digits can reveal the mistake.

Contemporaneous record

A record made at the time of the event, containing who, what, when, where, and action taken, which is more reliable than later recollection.

Assumption in argument

An unstated premise the argument requires to reach its conclusion. The correct answer is necessary, not merely helpful or plausible.

Ratio comparison

To compare ratios, cross-multiply: for a:b and c:d, compare a×d with b×c. The larger product identifies the larger ratio.

Weighted average

When groups differ in size, the overall mean weights each group mean by its count. A simple average of the group means is usually wrong.