CMAT key terms

The difference between a new value and an original value, divided by the original value and expressed as a percent. Used to compare growth or decline across quantities of different sizes.

A ratio compares two quantities by division; a proportion states that two ratios are equal. Solving proportions lets you scale recipes, mixtures, and map distances to unknown values.

A technique that first finds the value of one unit and then multiplies to get the value of the required number of units. Useful for rates, work, and cost problems.

Interest calculated only on the original principal for the whole period, using the formula principal times rate times time divided by one hundred. It ignores interest earned earlier.

Interest computed on principal plus previously accumulated interest, so the base grows each period. Amount equals principal times one plus rate per period raised to the number of periods.

Problems where several workers or pipes finish a task at different rates. Convert each rate to work-per-day, add rates for joint effort, and invert to find total time.

The speed of one moving object as observed from another. Add speeds when moving in opposite directions and subtract when moving in the same direction, then apply to distance problems.

Total distance travelled divided by total time taken, not the simple mean of the speeds. For equal distances at two speeds, it is the harmonic mean of those speeds.

A mean in which each value is multiplied by a weight reflecting its importance or frequency, then divided by the sum of weights. Used for combined groups and mixture problems.

Permutations count ordered arrangements, while combinations count selections where order does not matter. The choice depends on whether rearranging the same items creates a new outcome.

The chance of an event, computed as favourable outcomes divided by total equally likely outcomes. Values range from zero for impossible to one for certain events.

Overlapping circles representing sets, used to show unions, intersections, and exclusions. Helps solve questions about groups with two or more shared attributes.

Reading values from tables, bar charts, line graphs, or pie charts and then computing totals, differences, ratios, or percentages. Accuracy depends on careful unit and scale checks.

An unstated premise the argument needs in order to reach its conclusion. A valid assumption, if negated, would make the argument collapse; it is not merely a restatement of the conclusion.

The claim an argument tries to establish, supported by evidence or premises. Distinguishing it from premises is the first step in evaluating any reasoning passage.

A statement that follows with reasonable certainty from the given information, though not stated directly. Unlike an assumption, an inference is drawn out of the passage rather than required by it.

Question types asking which option makes an argument more or less credible. The correct choice affects the link between evidence and conclusion, not an unrelated side fact.

A claimed relationship where one event produces another. Reasoning errors include confusing correlation with causation, reversing cause and effect, or ignoring a common third factor.

A deductive argument with two premises and a conclusion, often using words like all, some, and none. Validity depends on form, so a conclusion can be true even if premises are false.

A relationship question where a pair of items shares a pattern, and you must find another pair with the same pattern. Identify the exact relation before comparing options.

Identifying the odd item out of a group because it lacks the property the others share. The shared property may involve category, function, number pattern, or origin.

Finding the rule behind a sequence of numbers, letters, or figures and predicting the next term. Check differences, ratios, alternating patterns, and squares or cubes.

Puzzles placing people around a line, circle, or table under constraints such as facing direction and adjacency. Drawing a rough diagram and fixing one anchor person simplifies solving.

Puzzles that describe family links through statements or a diagram and ask how two people are related. Convert each phrase into a standard symbol and build a family tree.

The central point a passage conveys, broader than any single detail. The correct option captures the author's overall thrust without adding claims the passage never makes.

The author's attitude toward the subject, such as critical, neutral, optimistic, or ironic. Word choice and adjectives signal tone, which is often asked as a separate question.

The sense a word carries in a specific sentence, which may differ from its dictionary entry. Replace the word with each option and test which preserves the sentence's logic.

A set of shuffled sentences that must be reordered into a coherent paragraph. Look for opening sentences, pronoun links, connectors, and the natural flow of ideas.

Words with opposite and similar meanings respectively. In exams, choose the option matching the word's dominant sense rather than a rare or technical usage.

A fixed phrase whose meaning cannot be derived from its individual words, such as a blessing in disguise. Learn idioms with a short example sentence for accurate recall.

A grammar question where a sentence is divided into parts and one part contains a mistake. Check subject-verb agreement, tense consistency, prepositions, and article use.

Answering questions based on a given passage, testing main idea, detail, inference, and vocabulary. Answers should be traceable to the text rather than to outside knowledge.

The interest rate at which a central bank lends short-term funds to commercial banks against securities. Raising it usually cools borrowing and inflation; cutting it stimulates credit.

A sustained rise in the general price level, reducing the purchasing power of money. Measured through indices such as the consumer price index and wholesale price index.

The total market value of final goods and services produced within a country's borders in a period. Real GDP adjusts for inflation, while nominal GDP does not.

The gap between a government's total expenditure and total receipts excluding borrowings. It shows how much the government must borrow to fund its spending in a year.

Guaranteed freedoms in a constitution, such as equality, speech, and life, enforceable through courts. In India they are grouped in Part III and subject to reasonable restrictions.

Non-justiciable guidelines in a constitution directing the state toward social and economic welfare. They shape policy and law-making even though courts cannot enforce them directly.

A concise statement of the specific benefit a product offers and why customers should choose it over alternatives. It links a customer problem to a distinct, credible solution.

The smallest version of a product that lets a team test core assumptions with real users. It gathers validated learning quickly rather than delivering a polished final release.

A one-page template mapping nine building blocks, including customer segments, channels, revenue streams, and cost structure. It helps founders describe and compare how a venture creates value.

A human-centred approach that moves through empathising, defining, ideating, prototyping, and testing. It encourages rapid iteration with users instead of committing early to one solution.

Funding a startup from personal savings and early revenue rather than outside investors. It preserves ownership but limits the pace of expansion and risk-taking.

Professional equity investment in high-growth startups, usually in exchange for shares and board influence. Investors expect a few large exits to offset many failures.