CSA Civil Service Exam key terms

A word whose meaning is directly opposite to another word's meaning, such as 'scarce' for 'abundant'. Antonym questions test whether you can identify contrast relationships quickly under time pressure.

A word that carries nearly the same meaning as another word, such as 'brief' for 'concise'. Recognising synonyms helps you answer vocabulary questions and paraphrase passages accurately.

A pair of words linked by a specific relationship, such as part to whole or cause to effect. You must identify the relationship in the given pair and apply the same logic to the options.

A question type where four or five items share a common category and one does not. You identify the shared property, then isolate the item that fails to satisfy it.

Information surrounding an unfamiliar word in a sentence or passage that hints at its meaning. Contrast words, definitions, and examples in nearby clauses often reveal the answer.

A deductive argument made of two premises and a conclusion, such as 'All clerks are staff; some staff are trainees'. You test whether the conclusion necessarily follows from the premises.

Overlapping circles used to represent sets and their relationships visually. Drawing them converts categorical premises into a picture, making it easy to see which conclusions must hold.

A statement that must be true whenever the given premises are true. A conclusion that is merely possible or plausible is not valid and should be rejected in reasoning questions.

A conclusion drawn from evidence rather than stated outright. In comprehension and reasoning items, the correct inference is the one the passage supports without requiring extra assumptions.

An unstated idea that must be true for an argument's conclusion to hold. Identifying hidden assumptions is central to strengthening, weakening, and flaw questions.

A stated reason or piece of evidence offered in support of a conclusion. Distinguishing premises from the conclusion is the first step in analysing any argument.

The main claim an argument tries to establish, usually signalled by words like 'therefore' or 'hence'. Everything else in the passage exists to support it.

A reasoning problem describing family links through statements or symbols, asking how two people are related. Drawing a family tree with clear gender and generation markers prevents errors.

A puzzle placing people around a line or circle under positional conditions, such as 'A sits third to the left of B'. Fixed-point and elimination techniques solve these systematically.

A puzzle about positions in a row or queue, often giving total strength and one person's place from either end. The formula total = left rank + right rank − 1 solves most variants.

A puzzle tracing a person's movement through turns and distances to find final position or facing direction. Sketching each leg on paper with compass bearings avoids confusion.

A sequence of numbers, letters, or figures with a hidden rule that determines the next element. Check differences, ratios, squares, and alternating patterns before choosing an answer.

A list of numbers generated by a consistent rule, such as adding successive primes or multiplying by increasing factors. Finding the rule lets you predict or repair the sequence.

A fraction expressed out of one hundred, used to compare quantities and express change. Converting percentages to decimals or fractions simplifies most calculation questions.

A comparison of two quantities by division, and an equation stating two ratios are equal. Setting up proportions solves mixture, scale, and sharing problems efficiently.

The sum of a set of values divided by the number of values. Knowing that total = average × count lets you solve many questions without listing every term.

Interest calculated only on the original principal, using the formula principal × rate × time ÷ 100. It never compounds, so each period earns the same amount.

Interest calculated on both the principal and previously earned interest, so the balance grows faster than with simple interest. The formula is principal × (1 + rate/100)^time.

The relationship distance = speed × time, used to solve travel, train, and relative-motion problems. Converting units consistently, such as km/h to m/s, prevents common errors.

The skill of reading tables, bar graphs, pie charts, or line graphs and answering questions from them. You must locate the right figure, compute accurately, and compare options quickly.

A circular graph where each sector's angle represents a share of the whole, with 360 degrees equal to 100 percent. Converting percentages to degrees speeds up sector comparisons.

A chart using rectangular bars whose heights or lengths represent values across categories. Reading the scale carefully and estimating between gridlines are essential skills.

Reading a short text and answering questions about its main idea, details, tone, and implied meaning. Skimming for structure first, then scanning for specifics, saves time.

The central point a passage conveys, usually stated or implied in its opening or closing sentences. Supporting details illustrate it but do not replace it as the answer.

The writer's attitude toward the subject, such as critical, neutral, or approving, revealed by word choice. Identifying tone helps answer author-attitude and purpose questions.

A grammar question asking you to find the part of a sentence containing a grammatical mistake. Common traps include subject-verb agreement, tense consistency, and preposition misuse.

The rule that a verb must match its subject in number and person. Intervening phrases, collective nouns, and 'either/or' constructions are frequent sources of error.

A question offering alternative phrasings for an underlined part of a sentence, asking which is best. Correctness, clarity, and conciseness all matter when choosing.

A passage with blanks that you fill using the most appropriate word from the options. Reading the whole passage first preserves the logical flow and grammatical consistency.

The fundamental document setting out a country's governing institutions, powers, and citizen rights. Questions often test amendment procedures, fundamental rights, and the preamble's values.

Basic freedoms guaranteed to citizens and enforceable in court, covering equality, speech, life, and religion. Knowing which rights apply to citizens only versus all persons is commonly tested.

Guidelines in a constitution directing the state toward social and economic welfare goals. They are not enforceable in court but guide policy making and legislation.

The national legislature that makes laws, controls the executive, and approves the budget. Questions often cover its houses, sessions, and law-making procedure.

A draft law introduced in a legislature, which becomes an act after debate, voting, and assent. Distinguishing ordinary, money, and constitutional amendment bills is frequently required.

Recent events in politics, economy, science, and sport that examiners expect you to know. Reviewing a monthly digest of appointments, schemes, and awards is the most efficient preparation.