Luiss Master's Admission Test key terms

A conclusion drawn from stated evidence rather than stated outright. In reading questions you must identify what the passage logically implies, and reject options that are merely plausible, familiar, or true in the world but unsupported by the text.

The central claim a passage is written to establish, usually broader than any single detail. Distractors often restate one supporting example or a true but secondary point, so check whether the option covers the whole passage.

The author's attitude toward the subject, conveyed through word choice: critical, cautious, enthusiastic, neutral, ironic. Questions about tone are answered by the passage's evaluative vocabulary, not by the topic itself.

The associations a word carries beyond its literal meaning. Two words can share a dictionary sense yet differ in feeling, so a passage calling a policy 'scheme' rather than 'plan' signals suspicion without stating it.

The literal, dictionary meaning of a word, as distinct from its emotional coloring. Vocabulary-in-context questions usually test denotation, so substitute each option into the sentence and keep the one that preserves the sentence's logic.

An unstated premise the argument needs in order to work. If denying a statement would destroy the argument, that statement is an assumption; correct answers are often modest claims the author never bothers to spell out.

A stated reason or piece of evidence offered in support of a conclusion. Premises are what the author asks you to accept; conclusions are what they want you to believe because of those premises.

The claim an argument is trying to establish, usually signalled by words such as 'therefore', 'thus', or 'so'. In longer passages the conclusion may come first, with the reasons following as explanation.

An answer choice that makes the argument's conclusion less likely to follow from its premises, typically by offering an alternative explanation or showing the evidence is unrepresentative. The correct choice damages the reasoning, not the conclusion's real-world truth.

An answer choice that makes the conclusion more probable, for instance by ruling out a rival explanation or confirming that the sample studied resembles the wider population. Strengtheners need not prove the conclusion, only add support.

The way a text organises its content: contrast, cause and effect, chronological narrative, problem and solution, or claim and rebuttal. Recognising the pattern lets you predict where the author is going and locate answers quickly.

The difference between an old and a new value, divided by the old value, expressed as a percentage: (new minus old) divided by old, times 100. A fall from 80 to 60 is a 25 percent decrease, though the reverse rise is about 33 percent.

The arithmetic difference between two percentages, as opposed to the relative change between them. Moving from 20 percent to 25 percent is a rise of 5 percentage points but a 25 percent increase; exam questions exploit this confusion.

A comparison of two quantities by division, showing how many times one contains the other. Ratios can be scaled by multiplying both parts by the same number, which is the standard method for sharing an amount in a given proportion.

An equation stating that two ratios are equal, allowing an unknown quantity to be found by cross-multiplication. Direct proportion means both quantities grow together; inverse proportion means one shrinks as the other grows.

The sum of a set of values divided by how many values there are. The mean is sensitive to extreme values, so a single outlier can pull it far above or below the median, which is the middle value in order.

A mean in which each value counts according to its weight, computed by summing each value times its weight and dividing by total weight. Use it whenever groups of different sizes are combined, such as classes of 10 and 30 students.

Interest calculated on the initial sum plus previously accumulated interest, so the balance grows by a constant factor each period. The formula is principal times (1 plus rate) raised to the number of periods.

A number showing how many times a base is multiplied by itself, written as a small raised figure. Key rules: multiplying powers adds exponents, dividing subtracts them, and a negative exponent gives a reciprocal.

A value that, multiplied by itself, gives the original number; the square root of 49 is 7. Only non-negative results are meant by the symbol, and roots of non-perfect squares are often left in simplified radical form.

In a right-angled triangle, the square of the hypotenuse equals the sum of the squares of the other two sides. It underlies distance calculations and is the standard route to diagonal lengths in geometry problems.

The measure of the surface enclosed by a two-dimensional shape, expressed in square units. Common formulas: rectangle length times width, triangle half base times height, circle pi times radius squared.

The amount of three-dimensional space an object occupies, measured in cubic units. For a rectangular box multiply length, width, and height; for a cylinder use pi times radius squared times height.

The likelihood of an event, calculated as favourable outcomes divided by all equally likely outcomes. For independent events, multiply their probabilities; for either of two mutually exclusive events, add them.

An arrangement of items in which order matters, so AB and BA count separately. The number of ways to arrange n distinct items is n factorial, which grows extremely fast as n increases.

A selection of items in which order does not matter, so AB and BA count as one. The count is n factorial divided by k factorial times (n minus k) factorial, used for choosing committees or teams.

A deductive argument with two premises and a conclusion, such as: all A are B, all B are C, therefore all A are C. Validity depends on form alone, so an argument can be valid even when its premises are false.

A property of arguments whereby the conclusion must be true if the premises are true. Validity concerns structure, not factual accuracy; soundness additionally requires that the premises actually be true.

The logically equivalent form of a conditional statement obtained by reversing and negating both parts: 'if P then Q' becomes 'if not Q then not P'. Unlike the converse, the contrapositive always preserves truth.

Something that must hold for a claim to be true, though it may not be enough on its own. Confusing necessary with sufficient is a frequent flaw, as when passing an entrance test is treated as guaranteeing admission.

Something whose presence guarantees a result, though the result may also arise otherwise. Being a citizen may be necessary to vote while meeting all registration requirements is sufficient in a given jurisdiction.

Two variables can move together without one causing the other; a hidden third factor or reverse direction may explain the link. Arguments that leap from association to cause are weakened by proposing such alternatives.

Drawing a broad conclusion from a limited sample. The reasoning is undermined when the sample is small, unrepresentative, or self-selected, which is why surveys of volunteers rarely support claims about whole populations.

A sustained rise in the general price level, which erodes purchasing power. Central banks usually respond by raising interest rates, which cools borrowing and demand but can slow growth and raise unemployment.

The total market value of final goods and services produced within a country in a period. It measures output, not welfare, and excludes unpaid work and environmental costs, so it is an imperfect indicator of living standards.

The value of the best alternative forgone when a choice is made. Because resources are scarce, every decision carries one, and it explains why specialisation and trade can benefit both parties.

The interaction of how much producers offer and how much buyers want at each price. Their intersection sets the market price; a shortage pushes price up, a surplus pushes it down, absent price controls.

The responsiveness of quantity demanded or supplied to a change in price or income. Demand for necessities tends to be inelastic, while luxuries are elastic, which affects how much revenue a price rise generates.

The ability to produce a good at a lower opportunity cost than another producer, even if less efficient in absolute terms. It explains why countries gain from trade by specialising where their relative cost is lowest.

The cost of borrowing money, expressed as a percentage of the principal per period. Central banks influence it to steer inflation and employment, and it also determines the present value of future payments.