Indian Navy Tradesman Mate key terms

A pair of words or symbols linked by a fixed relationship, such as worker to tool or young to old. The candidate must find the same relationship in a second pair among the options.

A set of items in which all but one share a common property. The candidate identifies the item that does not fit the rule, such as the only prime number in a list of composites.

A sequence of numbers, letters or figures that follows a rule. The candidate finds the missing or next item by detecting the pattern, such as adding increasing odd numbers.

A word or sentence is written in a secret code according to a rule, such as shifting each letter forward by two. The candidate applies or reverses the rule to find the coded or plain form.

Questions describing family links in words or symbols, such as 'A is the brother of B'. The candidate works out how two named people are related, for example uncle and nephew.

A person moves given distances north, south, east or west, sometimes turning. The candidate finds the final position, net distance or facing direction using a simple sketch and Pythagoras where needed.

Two or more statements about categories are given as true, such as 'All sailors are men'. The candidate decides which conclusions necessarily follow, ignoring conclusions that are only possible.

Overlapping circles used to show how sets relate. In reasoning tests they help decide whether statements about categories support a given conclusion, and how many regions a set description creates.

A puzzle placing people in a row or around a table under clues such as 'B sits second to the left of C'. The candidate fixes each person's position by combining the clues.

A person's place in a queue or list is described from one or both ends. The candidate finds total strength or a missing rank using the rule total equals sum of both ranks minus one.

The reflection of a figure or word in a vertical mirror. Left and right swap while top and bottom stay the same, so the candidate picks the option that matches this reversal.

The reflection of a figure or word in water, so top and bottom swap while left and right stay the same. The candidate selects the option showing this vertical flip.

A sheet is folded one or more times and a shape is cut out. When unfolded, the holes appear as repeated mirror copies, and the candidate chooses the matching pattern.

Grouping items that share a feature and separating those that do not, such as sorting numbers into primes and composites. It tests the ability to apply a defining rule consistently.

The rule behind many coding questions, where each letter of a word moves a fixed number of places in the alphabet. Recognising the shift quickly solves both coding and letter series items.

A fraction expressed out of one hundred, so 25 percent means 25 per 100 or one quarter. Used to compare increase, decrease, profit, loss and population change in numerical questions.

A ratio compares two quantities of the same kind, such as 3:5, and a proportion states that two ratios are equal. Used to divide amounts and scale values up or down.

The sum of a set of values divided by how many values there are. Often needed to find a missing number, a new average after a change, or the combined average of two groups.

Profit is selling price minus cost price, and loss is the reverse. Profit or loss percent is always calculated on the cost price unless the question states otherwise.

Cost price is what a trader pays for an article; selling price is what a buyer pays. Comparing the two decides profit or loss, and both are needed for percentage questions.

A reduction on the marked price of an article, usually given as a percent. Successive discounts are not added directly; each is applied to the reduced price in turn.

Interest calculated only on the original principal, using the formula principal times rate times time divided by one hundred. It does not earn interest on earlier interest.

Interest added to the principal at the end of each period so later interest is earned on it. Amount equals principal times one plus rate over one hundred, raised to the number of periods.

Distance covered equals speed multiplied by time, with units kept consistent. Used for trains, boats and journeys, and to convert between kilometres per hour and metres per second.

The speed of one moving object as seen from another. Add the speeds when moving in opposite directions and subtract them when moving the same way, as with crossing trains.

Problems where workers or pipes finish a job at given rates. One day's work is the reciprocal of the days needed, and rates add when people work together.

A method that first finds the value of one unit and then multiplies to get the required amount. It solves many proportion, work and rate problems in a single chain of steps.

The lowest common multiple is the smallest number divisible by each given number; the highest common factor is the largest number dividing each. Their product equals the product of the two numbers.

Short tests for whether a number divides exactly, such as last digit even for 2, digit sum divisible by 3 for 3, and last two digits divisible by 4 for 4. They speed up simplification and factor questions.

Reducing an expression to a single value by following the order of operations: brackets, then orders or powers, then division and multiplication, then addition and subtraction.

In a right-angled triangle the square of the hypotenuse equals the sum of the squares of the other two sides. Used for diagonals, ladders and direction-sense distance questions.

Measurement of length, area, perimeter and volume of plane and solid figures such as squares, circles, cylinders and cuboids. Formulas must be memorised with correct units.

A well-defined collection of distinct objects, such as the set of even numbers below ten. Sets underlie Venn diagram questions and counting problems involving overlap.

A word with the same or nearly the same meaning as another, such as 'brave' for 'courageous'. Synonym questions test vocabulary breadth and the ability to judge shades of meaning.

A word opposite in meaning to another, such as 'scarce' for 'abundant'. Antonym questions check whether the candidate knows exact opposites rather than merely unrelated words.

A word that sounds the same as another but differs in spelling or meaning, such as 'their' and 'there'. Confusing them causes errors in spelling and sentence-correction questions.

A group of words whose meaning cannot be worked out from the individual words, such as 'to bite the bullet'. Questions ask for the correct meaning or the idiom fitting a sentence.

Replacing a long phrase with a single precise word, such as 'a person who loves books' with 'bibliophile'. It tests vocabulary and precision of expression.

In active voice the subject performs the action; in passive voice the action is done to the subject, formed with a form of 'be' plus past participle. Conversion questions test tense and agreement.

Direct speech quotes a speaker's exact words in quotation marks; indirect speech reports them without quotes, shifting pronouns and tenses. Questions test correct conversion of both.

The verb must match its subject in number and person, so a singular subject takes a singular verb. Prepositional phrases between them do not change the rule.

Questions present a sentence with a possible mistake in spelling, grammar or usage, and the candidate identifies the wrong part. Careful reading of each segment is required.

The supreme law of India, adopted in 1949 and effective 26 January 1950, setting out fundamental rights, duties and the structure of government. Basic facts about it are common in general awareness.

Rights guaranteed to citizens by Part III of the Indian Constitution, including equality, freedom of speech, and protection of life and personal liberty. They are enforceable through the courts.

The national legislature consisting of the President, the Rajya Sabha and the Lok Sabha. It makes laws, approves the budget and exercises control over the executive.

The chain of officers and sailors, from Admiral and Vice Admiral down through Captain and Commander to sailors such as Petty Officer and Seaman. Rank awareness is expected of defence candidates.

The Navy is organised into three operational commands, Western (Mumbai), Eastern (Visakhapatnam) and Southern (Kochi), plus training and strategic formations. Command headquarters are frequently asked.

Named joint or bilateral military drills, such as Varuna with France and Malabar with the United States, Japan and Australia. Questions ask which countries take part or where a drill is held.

The Indian Space Research Organisation runs India's space programme, including Chandrayaan lunar and Mangalyaan Mars missions. Mission names, launch vehicles and firsts are common questions.

Standard units such as newton, watt, pascal and hertz, and the instruments that measure related quantities, such as barometer for pressure and ammeter for current. Basic science questions rely on these.

The organised groups of organs that carry out body functions, such as circulatory, digestive and respiratory systems. Questions ask organ functions, blood groups and vitamin deficiencies.

Official emblems of India, including the national flag, anthem, song, bird, animal, flower and fruit. Their names and associated facts appear regularly in general awareness papers.