EPSO AST/SC key terms

A conclusion drawn from stated evidence rather than stated outright. Verbal reasoning items often ask which inference is best supported, so you must separate what the passage proves from what it merely suggests.

An unstated idea the argument depends on to work. If denying it makes the reasoning collapse, it is a necessary assumption and a likely correct answer in critical-reasoning style items.

The layout of a passage: premises (supporting reasons), a conclusion (the claim defended), and sometimes background or counter-arguments. Mapping it quickly prevents choosing an answer that attacks a side point.

A statement offered as evidence inside a passage. Premises are taken as given; the question usually asks what follows from them, not whether you personally agree with them.

A word signalling the author's main claim, such as therefore, thus, hence, consequently or it follows that. Spotting it helps you locate the point the question is really about.

How far a statement reaches: all versus some, always versus usually, must versus may. Answers that widen or narrow the original scope are classic distractors in verbal reasoning.

A word expressing amount or extent, such as all, most, many, some, few or none. Precise reading of quantifiers decides whether a proposed conclusion is actually supported.

A necessary condition must hold for something to happen; a sufficient condition guarantees it. Confusing the two is a frequent trap, for example treating a requirement as a guarantee.

An answer option that looks plausible but is wrong: it may be true yet irrelevant, too extreme, or a distortion of the passage. Recognising typical distractor patterns saves time.

The stance a writer takes towards the subject, ranging from supportive to sceptical or neutral. Some items ask you to identify tone, so note evaluative adjectives and hedging words.

The difference between two values expressed as a share of the starting value: (new minus old) divided by old, times 100. Always check which value is the base before calculating.

The arithmetic difference between two percentages, not their relative change. A rise from 20% to 25% is 5 percentage points but a 25% increase, and mixing the two is a common error.

The reference figure a percentage or ratio is calculated from. Identifying the base correctly matters when a problem mentions several totals or successive changes.

A comparison of two quantities showing how many times one contains the other, written as a to b or a:b. Ratios scale together, so use a common multiplier to find actual amounts.

A statement that two ratios are equal, allowing you to solve for an unknown quantity by cross-multiplication. Useful for scaling budgets, staffing or production figures.

A technique of finding the value of one unit first, then multiplying to reach the required quantity. It simplifies many work-rate, price and scaling problems into two short steps.

A question about how long tasks take when several people or machines work together. Convert each rate to tasks per unit time, add the rates, then invert to find combined time.

The sum of a set of values divided by how many values there are. Remember that the mean can be pulled by extreme values, so check whether median or range is more informative.

A mean in which each value counts according to its weight, such as group size or volume. Compute it by summing each value times its weight, then dividing by total weight.

The median is the middle value once data are ordered; the mode is the most frequent value. They describe a dataset differently from the mean and resist distortion by outliers.

The difference between the largest and smallest values in a dataset. It is a quick measure of spread but ignores everything between the two extremes.

Repeated increase applied to a value that already includes earlier increases, calculated with a multiplier raised to the number of periods. It grows faster than simple, linear growth.

Approximating an answer to the nearest convenient figure to save time. In timed numerical tests, rounding inputs and checking the size of the result often identifies the right option quickly.

Changing a quantity from one measurement unit to another, such as kilograms to tonnes or minutes to hours. Convert everything to a single unit before calculating to avoid scale errors.

Turning a shape around a fixed point by a given angle. The shape keeps its size and form, but its orientation changes, which distinguishes rotation from reflection.

Flipping a shape across a line so it becomes a mirror image. Unlike rotation, reflection reverses handedness, so a rotated shape can never match its mirror twin.

A systematic change to a figure: translation (sliding), rotation, reflection or scaling. Series questions often apply one or more transformations step by step.

The underlying pattern governing how items in a series change, such as adding elements, alternating colours or shifting positions. Finding the rule lets you predict the next figure.

A series in which two or more rules take turns, so odd and even positions follow different logic. Analyse each subsequence separately when a single rule does not fit.

A relationship question where the link between the first pair must be identified and applied to a second pair. Describe the link in words before checking the options.

A task requiring you to find the item that does not share the defining property of the others. Test a candidate rule against every item before deciding.

Identifying the missing cell in a grid where rows and columns follow rules. Check horizontal and vertical patterns separately, then confirm the answer satisfies both.

Assessing which response is most and least effective in a workplace scenario. Answers are judged against professional competences such as teamwork, integrity and service orientation, not personal preference.

The set of behaviours an organisation expects from staff, used to assess performance and potential. Situational items are built around these competences, so link each option to one.

Ordering response options from most to least appropriate. Rank by likely outcome and professional standards; the most popular-sounding option is not automatically the most effective.

Referring an issue to a more senior level or specialist function when it exceeds your authority or expertise. Appropriate escalation is a strength; escalating everything signals poor judgement.

Identifying the people affected by or interested in a decision and communicating with them appropriately. Good answers consult early, keep others informed and balance competing priorities.

A situation where personal, financial or other private interests could improperly influence professional judgement. The expected response is to disclose it and withdraw from the affected decision.

Behaving honestly and consistently with rules and ethical standards, even when unobserved or under pressure. Scenario answers that conceal errors or bend procedures fail on this competence.

Protecting sensitive information from unauthorised disclosure. In scenarios, share only with those who need it, use approved channels and avoid discussing restricted matters in informal settings.