DSA Cadet Selection cheat sheet

English: a sentence needs a subject and a finite verb; a fragment or a run-on is the most common error in timed editing tasks.

Subject-verb agreement rule: ignore prepositional phrases between subject and verb - "the list of items is" not "are".

Reading comprehension: main idea answers must cover the whole passage; an option true only of one paragraph is a distractor.

Mathematics: speed = distance ÷ time; rearrange to time = distance ÷ speed and distance = speed × time.

Percent change = (new − old) ÷ old × 100; a 20% rise then 20% fall leaves 96% of the original value, not 100%.

Ratios: total parts = sum of ratio terms; one part = total ÷ total parts, then multiply per share.

Science: force = mass × acceleration (N = kg·m/s²); weight = mass × gravitational field strength (about 9.8 N/kg on Earth).

Density = mass ÷ volume; an object floats when its density is less than the fluid's.

Scientific method order: observation, hypothesis, controlled experiment, data analysis, conclusion; only the independent variable is deliberately changed.

Number series: check successive differences first, then ratios, then alternating or two interleaved sequences.

Letter series: convert letters to positions (A=1 … Z=26); constant gaps or mirrored gaps reveal the rule.

Syllogism rule: valid conclusions follow only from the premises; real-world knowledge must be ignored.

"All A are B" does not imply "all B are A"; it does imply "some B are A" when A is non-empty.

Direction sense: draw axes and track net displacement; two left turns equal a 180° reversal.

Seating arrangement: fix the most constrained person first, then place others relative to that anchor.

Coding-decoding: test shift (+n/−n), reversal, and position-based substitution in that order.

Work-rate: combined rate = 1/a + 1/b; time together = ab ÷ (a+b) for two workers.

Clock problems: angle between hands = |30H − 5.5M| degrees, taking the smaller angle if it exceeds 180°.

Priority order in an emergency: safety of people, then mission/task, then equipment; report upwards once the immediate risk is contained.

Rank responses by "effectiveness" and "appropriateness": acting within your authority and the rules scores above personal initiative that bypasses the chain of command.

In a dilemma, the best option usually addresses the problem directly, involves the right person, and accepts responsibility.

Own errors immediately and state the corrective action; blaming others or concealing a mistake is scored lowest.

A leader's first move with an underperforming team member is a private fact-finding conversation, not public criticism.

When two rules conflict, follow the higher-order value (safety, integrity, law) and escalate the conflict to a supervisor.

Delegation rule: assign by competence and development need, retain accountability for the outcome.

Bystander intervention: state the observable behaviour, its impact, and the required standard - in that order.

Cardiorespiratory endurance is trained at 60–80% of maximum heart rate; estimated max HR = 220 − age in years.

Progressive overload: increase volume or intensity by roughly 10% per week to limit injury risk.

FITT principle: Frequency, Intensity, Time, Type - every training plan must specify all four.

Warm-up before and cool-down after reduce injury and stiffness; static stretching belongs after exercise, dynamic mobility before.

Muscular endurance uses higher repetitions at lower load; maximal strength uses low repetitions at high load.

Hydration: drink before thirst in sustained exertion; dark urine and dizziness indicate under-hydration.

Recovery: 48 hours between hard sessions for the same muscle group; sleep of 7–9 hours supports adaptation.

Pacing: even splits over a distance beat a fast start followed by a fade; a negative split is the classic marker of good pacing.

BMI = mass (kg) ÷ height (m)²; it is a screening index, not a measure of fitness or body composition.

Feedback model: situation, behaviour, impact, request - describe observable behaviour, never personality labels.

Active listening: paraphrase the speaker's point and confirm before responding; this is the standard scored behaviour.

Closed-loop communication: sender states the message, receiver repeats it back, sender confirms - used for instructions under stress.

Use "I" statements ("I need the report by 1400") rather than accusations; specificity beats vagueness in task assignment.

Conflict styles: collaborating (win-win) is preferred when time permits; avoiding is acceptable only for trivial issues.

Team roles: a coordinator clarifies goals and delegates; an implementer executes; a finisher checks detail - balance matters more than individual strength.

Handover format: current situation, background, assessment, recommendation - keep it brief and structured.

Non-verbal signals (eye contact, open posture, tone) carry weight; mismatched words and tone reduce trust.

Intrinsic motivation (interest, mastery) predicts persistence better than extrinsic reward alone.

Goal-setting theory: specific, measurable, difficult-but-attainable goals with feedback outperform vague "do your best" goals.

Self-efficacy (belief in own capability) rises through mastery experiences, vicarious models, persuasion, and reduced anxiety.

Growth mindset: attributing failure to strategy and effort rather than fixed ability sustains effort after setbacks.

Expectancy–value model: motivation = expectation of success × value of the outcome; either factor at zero kills drive.

Delayed gratification: choosing a larger later reward over a smaller immediate one correlates with sustained goal pursuit.

SMART goals: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound.

Reflection after a setback: identify what was controllable, change one variable, and retest - avoids rumination.

Integrity test: would the action survive being described publicly to a superior and to peers? If not, it fails.

Discipline is consistent adherence to a standard when unobserved, not obedience only under supervision.

Chain of command: use the lowest level that can resolve the issue, then escalate; skipping levels is reserved for urgent risk.

Punctuality standard: arrive before the stated time with equipment prepared; lateness consumes team capacity, not just your own.

Confidentiality: share information only with those who need it for the task (need-to-know principle).

Rules of engagement for honesty: report the facts you know, flag uncertainty explicitly, never fabricate to fill a gap.

Respect for diversity: judge on performance and conduct; exclusion based on background is a discipline and values failure.

Self-discipline routine: fixed sleep and study blocks, written to-do list, review at day end - structure reduces reliance on willpower.