FRNSW Cognitive Test key terms

A conclusion drawn from stated evidence rather than stated outright. Verbal reasoning questions often ask which inference is best supported, so you must judge how strongly the passage backs each option.

An unstated idea that must be true for an argument to hold. Identifying the hidden assumption is a common way to test whether reasoning is sound or flawed.

A stated fact or claim offered as support for a conclusion. Distinguishing premises from the conclusion is the first step in analysing any short argument passage.

The main point an argument tries to establish, supported by the other statements. It is what the author wants you to accept after reading the evidence.

A statement that follows necessarily from the given information. If the premises are true, a valid conclusion cannot be false, so it is stronger than a merely plausible one.

Something that must be present for an outcome to occur, though it may not be enough on its own. Wording like 'only if' signals a necessary condition in reasoning questions.

Something that, when present, guarantees an outcome. Wording like 'if' or 'whenever' usually introduces a sufficient condition, which is different from a necessary one.

The logically equivalent reversal of a conditional statement with both parts negated. 'If it rains, the ground is wet' becomes 'if the ground is not wet, it did not rain'.

A flaw in reasoning that makes an argument unreliable even if its conclusion happens to be true. Recognising common fallacies helps you reject tempting but weak answer options.

A broad statement drawn from limited examples. Overgeneralising from a small or unrepresentative sample is a frequent weakness tested in verbal reasoning passages.

A slant or distortion that pushes reasoning away from neutrality, such as favouring one group or source. Passages may ask you to spot loaded language that reveals bias.

The attitude an author conveys through word choice, such as critical, neutral, cautious or enthusiastic. Questions may ask you to describe the tone of a short passage.

The central point a passage is built around, as distinct from supporting details. Summarising the main idea quickly is a core comprehension skill under time pressure.

A word with a meaning close to another word. Verbal reasoning sections often ask you to choose the option closest in meaning to a target word in context.

A word with the opposite meaning to another word. Antonym questions test precision, so watch for near-opposites that are not exact opposites.

Information in surrounding sentences that helps you work out an unfamiliar word's meaning. Using context clues is faster and more reliable than guessing from the word alone.

A comparison of two quantities showing how many times one contains the other, written like 3:2. Ratios let you scale recipes, mixtures or crew numbers up and down proportionally.

A statement that two ratios are equal, allowing you to solve for an unknown value. Setting up a proportion is a quick way to handle scaling problems.

The increase or decrease in a value expressed as a percentage of the original amount. Always divide by the starting value, not the final one, to avoid a common error.

The arithmetic difference between two percentages. A rise from 20% to 25% is five percentage points but a 25% relative increase, so the distinction matters.

A quantity measured per unit of something else, such as litres per minute or kilometres per hour. Rate problems usually require multiplying or dividing by time.

Total distance divided by total time for a whole journey, not the average of separate speeds. Mixing these up is a frequent trap in numerical reasoning questions.

An average where some values count more than others according to their weight or frequency. It differs from a simple average when group sizes are unequal.

The sum of all values divided by how many values there are. It is sensitive to extreme values, unlike the median, which can change which measure is appropriate.

The middle value when numbers are arranged in order, or the average of the two middle values if there is an even count. It resists distortion by outliers.

The difference between the largest and smallest values in a data set. It gives a quick sense of spread but ignores everything between the extremes.

A technique that finds the value of one unit first, then multiplies to find the value of many. It simplifies many proportion and rate problems into two steps.

Approximating an answer to a sensible value to save time or check plausibility. In timed tests, estimating first can eliminate several answer options immediately.

Adjusting a number to a nearby convenient value, such as the nearest ten or whole number. Knowing when to round up or down affects answers in practical word problems.

The rough scale of a number, usually expressed as a power of ten. Comparing orders of magnitude helps you spot answers that are wildly too large or small.

Turning a shape around a fixed point by a given angle. A rotated shape keeps its size and form, so it is not the same as a reflection or a resized copy.

Flipping a shape across a line so it becomes a mirror image. Reflected shapes are reversed in orientation, which distinguishes them from rotated versions.

Sliding a shape to a new position without turning or flipping it. The shape's orientation and size stay exactly the same, only its location changes.

A quality where a shape or pattern looks the same after a fold, turn or flip. Spotting lines of symmetry helps you predict the next figure in a sequence.

A series of figures or symbols that changes according to a hidden rule. Identifying what changes, and by how much each step, is the key to predicting the next item.

A flat shape that folds up to form a three-dimensional object such as a cube or box. Net questions test whether you can mentally fold faces without overlap.

The ability to picture objects in your mind and mentally move, fold or rotate them. It underpins abstract reasoning items involving cubes, maps and unfolded shapes.

A rigid bar that pivots on a fulcrum to move a load with applied effort. The longer the effort arm relative to the load arm, the less force is needed.

The fixed pivot point on which a lever turns. Its position determines whether a lever multiplies force or simply changes the direction of movement.

The factor by which a machine multiplies the force you apply. It equals the output force divided by the input force, and greater advantage usually means more movement for less effort.

A grooved wheel with a rope or cable that changes the direction of a force or reduces effort. Multiple pulleys supporting a load share its weight between rope sections.

A toothed wheel that transmits motion to another wheel. A small gear driving a large one turns faster but with more torque, and the pair turn in opposite directions.

A turning effect produced by a force acting at a distance from a pivot. It equals force multiplied by perpendicular distance, so a longer spanner gives more turning force.

A resisting force that opposes sliding between surfaces in contact. It can be reduced with lubricants or bearings, or deliberately increased for grip such as on stairs.

A push or pull that can change an object's speed, direction or shape, measured in newtons. In mechanical questions, forces are often balanced or unbalanced.

The weight or resistance a machine or structure must move or support. Understanding the load helps you judge which setup needs the least effort.

The point where an object's weight is considered to act evenly. If this point falls outside the base of support, the object will topple over.