ie-df-recruit-aptitude cheat sheet

True/False/Cannot Say: mark True only if the passage alone proves the statement; mark False only if the passage alone disproves it; anything else is Cannot Say, even if real-world knowledge suggests an answer.

Watch quantifier shifts: 'all', 'some', 'most', 'only' and 'never' change truth value; a statement that overstates the passage is usually False or Cannot Say, not True.

Distinguish inference from restatement: a valid answer must be supported by explicit text, not by plausible assumption or general opinion.

Scope words ('in this study', 'among the sample') restrict claims; a statement that drops the scope qualifier is typically Cannot Say.

For 'which weakens/strengthens' items, the correct option must bear directly on the stated conclusion; options about a different population or time frame are irrelevant.

Assumption questions: the right answer is a necessary unstated premise - negate it and the argument should collapse.

Main-point questions reward the option covering the whole passage; options that are true but narrow (one detail) are distractors.

Time rule: answer Cannot Say faster than True/False - hunting for hidden proof wastes minutes; if no line supports it, mark Cannot Say.

Percentage change = (new − old) ÷ old × 100; a rise then equal fall does not return to the start (100 → +20% = 120 → −20% = 96).

Successive percentage changes multiply: +10% then −10% gives ×1.10 × 0.90 = 0.99, a net 1% fall.

Reverse percentages: if a price after a 15% rise is 92, then original = 92 ÷ 1.15 = 80.

Ratios: to split an amount in ratio a:b:c, total parts = a+b+c, and each share = amount × part ÷ total parts.

Averages: total = mean × count; if one value is added, new mean = (old total + new value) ÷ (n+1).

Weighted average = Σ(value × weight) ÷ Σ(weights); never average two group means without weighting by group size.

Speed/distance/time: distance = speed × time; for a round trip at speeds a and b, average speed = 2ab ÷ (a+b), not (a+b) ÷ 2.

Currency and unit conversion: chain rates through a common base, and check the direction of the rate (multiply vs divide) before computing.

Estimation shortcut: round to 1–2 significant figures to eliminate answer options, then compute exactly only if two options remain close.

Count elements first: number of shapes, lines, dots, or shaded regions per figure often forms a sequence (1,2,3,4) or alternates.

Track rotation direction and step: a shape turning 90° clockwise each frame returns to its start after 4 frames; 45° steps need 8.

Mirror vs rotation: a reflected figure reverses chirality - check whether a distinctive feature (a notch, a letter-like shape) is on the left or right.

Superposition rules: for two-figure combination items, test whether overlapping lines cancel (XOR), add, or keep only common parts.

Position cycling: elements often move one place clockwise around a perimeter or shift one cell right with wraparound each step.

Analogy format (A:B :: C:?): identify the single transformation from A to B (e.g., rotate 180° and invert fill), then apply exactly that to C.

Odd-one-out: find the property shared by all but one - number of sides, symmetry lines, open vs closed, curved vs straight edges.

Net folding: count faces meeting at a vertex (three for a cube); two faces separated by exactly one face on a net end up opposite each other.

Levers: torque = force × distance from pivot; balance requires F1 × d1 = F2 × d2, so a longer arm needs less force.

Class 1 lever: pivot between load and effort; Class 2: load between pivot and effort (effort arm longer, mechanical advantage > 1); Class 3: effort between pivot and load (advantage < 1).

Pulleys: a single fixed pulley changes direction only (advantage 1); a movable pulley halves the effort; advantage equals the number of rope segments supporting the load.

Gears: meshed gears turn in opposite directions; gear ratio = teeth(driven) ÷ teeth(driver), and a larger gear turns slower with more torque.

Inclined plane: less force over a longer distance; ideal force = load × height ÷ length (friction ignored).

Hydraulics: pressure is equal throughout a confined fluid (P = F ÷ A), so a larger piston area produces proportionally larger force.

Work-sample judgment: read the full scenario and stated constraints (deadline, safety rule, role limits) before ranking responses; safety and policy compliance outrank speed.

Ranking rule for work-sample items: most effective first, then acceptable, then ineffective; an option that violates a stated rule is ineffective no matter how fast it is.

True/False/Cannot Say: mark True only if the passage alone proves the statement; mark False only if the passage alone disproves it; anything else is Cannot Say, even if real-world knowledge suggests an answer.

Watch quantifier shifts: 'all', 'some', 'most', 'only' and 'never' change truth value; a statement that overstates the passage is usually False or Cannot Say, not True.

Distinguish inference from restatement: a valid answer must be supported by explicit text, not by plausible assumption or general opinion.

Scope words ('in this study', 'among the sample') restrict claims; a statement that drops the scope qualifier is typically Cannot Say.

For 'which weakens/strengthens' items, the correct option must bear directly on the stated conclusion; options about a different population or time frame are irrelevant.

Assumption questions: the right answer is a necessary unstated premise - negate it and the argument should collapse.

Main-point questions reward the option covering the whole passage; options that are true but narrow (one detail) are distractors.

Time rule: answer Cannot Say faster than True/False - hunting for hidden proof wastes minutes; if no line supports it, mark Cannot Say.

Percentage change = (new − old) ÷ old × 100; a rise then equal fall does not return to the start (100 → +20% = 120 → −20% = 96).

Successive percentage changes multiply: +10% then −10% gives ×1.10 × 0.90 = 0.99, a net 1% fall.

Reverse percentages: if a price after a 15% rise is 92, then original = 92 ÷ 1.15 = 80.

Ratios: to split an amount in ratio a:b:c, total parts = a+b+c, and each share = amount × part ÷ total parts.

Averages: total = mean × count; if one value is added, new mean = (old total + new value) ÷ (n+1).

Weighted average = Σ(value × weight) ÷ Σ(weights); never average two group means without weighting by group size.

Speed/distance/time: distance = speed × time; for a round trip at speeds a and b, average speed = 2ab ÷ (a+b), not (a+b) ÷ 2.

Currency and unit conversion: chain rates through a common base, and check the direction of the rate (multiply vs divide) before computing.

Estimation shortcut: round to 1–2 significant figures to eliminate answer options, then compute exactly only if two options remain close.

Count elements first: number of shapes, lines, dots, or shaded regions per figure often forms a sequence (1,2,3,4) or alternates.

Track rotation direction and step: a shape turning 90° clockwise each frame returns to its start after 4 frames; 45° steps need 8.

Mirror vs rotation: a reflected figure reverses chirality - check whether a distinctive feature (a notch, a letter-like shape) is on the left or right.

Superposition rules: for two-figure combination items, test whether overlapping lines cancel (XOR), add, or keep only common parts.

Position cycling: elements often move one place clockwise around a perimeter or shift one cell right with wraparound each step.

Analogy format (A:B :: C:?): identify the single transformation from A to B (e.g., rotate 180° and invert fill), then apply exactly that to C.

Odd-one-out: find the property shared by all but one - number of sides, symmetry lines, open vs closed, curved vs straight edges.

Net folding: count faces meeting at a vertex (three for a cube); two faces separated by exactly one face on a net end up opposite each other.

Levers: torque = force × distance from pivot; balance requires F1 × d1 = F2 × d2, so a longer arm needs less force.

Class 1 lever: pivot between load and effort; Class 2: load between pivot and effort (effort arm longer, mechanical advantage > 1); Class 3: effort between pivot and load (advantage < 1).

Pulleys: a single fixed pulley changes direction only (advantage 1); a movable pulley halves the effort; advantage equals the number of rope segments supporting the load.

Gears: meshed gears turn in opposite directions; gear ratio = teeth(driven) ÷ teeth(driver), and a larger gear turns slower with more torque.

Inclined plane: less force over a longer distance; ideal force = load × height ÷ length (friction ignored).

Hydraulics: pressure is equal throughout a confined fluid (P = F ÷ A), so a larger piston area produces proportionally larger force.

Work-sample judgment: read the full scenario and stated constraints (deadline, safety rule, role limits) before ranking responses; safety and policy compliance outrank speed.

Ranking rule for work-sample items: most effective first, then acceptable, then ineffective; an option that violates a stated rule is ineffective no matter how fast it is.