DSA Cadet Selection flashcards

33 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

Subject-verb agreement

The verb matches the number of the true subject, ignoring phrases in between. "The box of tools is heavy" is correct because the subject is "box".

Run-on sentence

Two independent clauses joined without correct punctuation or a conjunction. Fix it with a full stop, semicolon, or coordinating conjunction such as "but".

Main idea question

Asks for the central point covering the whole passage. A correct answer must be supported throughout; options true of only one sentence are distractors.

Speed formula

Speed equals distance divided by time. Rearranged, time equals distance divided by speed, and distance equals speed multiplied by time.

Percentage change

Subtract the old value from the new, divide by the old value, multiply by 100. A 20% rise then a 20% fall leaves 96% of the original.

Density

Mass divided by volume, in kg/m³ or g/cm³. An object floats in a fluid when its density is lower than that of the fluid.

Independent variable

The single factor the experimenter deliberately changes. All other conditions are held constant so any effect can be attributed to it.

Letter position coding

Convert letters to numbers using A=1 through Z=26. Constant gaps between positions indicate an addition series; mirrored gaps indicate reversal.

Syllogism validity

A conclusion is valid only if it must follow from the stated premises. Outside knowledge is ignored, and "all A are B" never proves "all B are A".

Combined work rate

Add individual rates: 1/a + 1/b. For two workers the time together is ab divided by (a+b), always less than either alone.

Clock hand angle

The angle between hour and minute hands is the absolute value of 30H minus 5.5M degrees. If it exceeds 180, take 360 minus that.

Seating arrangement strategy

Place the most constrained person first, since fixed positions limit others. Then apply each remaining clue relative to that anchor rather than guessing.

Net displacement

The straight-line distance and direction from start to finish, not total distance walked. Two successive left turns reverse the original heading.

Emergency priority order

First the safety of people, then completion of the task, then protection of equipment. Report upward once immediate danger is controlled.

Owning a mistake

State the error, its impact, and the corrective action immediately. Concealment and blame-shifting are scored as the weakest possible responses.

Delegation accountability

Tasks may be assigned by competence and development need, but the leader remains answerable for the outcome and must check progress.

Rule conflict handling

When two rules conflict, follow the higher-order value such as safety or law, then escalate the conflict to a supervisor rather than deciding silently.

Maximum heart rate

Estimated as 220 minus age in years. Endurance training typically targets 60 to 80 percent of this value for sustained periods.

FITT principle

Every training plan specifies Frequency, Intensity, Time and Type. Omitting any element makes the plan untestable and hard to progress safely.

Progressive overload

Gradually increasing training demand, roughly 10 percent per week, so the body adapts. Sudden large increases raise injury risk sharply.

Body mass index

Mass in kilograms divided by height in metres squared. It screens for weight category only and does not measure fitness or muscle.

Negative split

Running the second half of a distance faster than the first. It signals good pacing control and usually produces a faster overall time.

Closed-loop communication

The sender gives an instruction, the receiver repeats it back, and the sender confirms. This prevents silent misunderstanding during high-pressure tasks.

Feedback structure

Describe the situation, the observable behaviour, its impact, and the requested change. Avoid personality labels, which trigger defensiveness instead of improvement.

Active listening

Give full attention, paraphrase the speaker's meaning, and confirm accuracy before replying. It is a directly observed and scored teamwork behaviour.

Structured handover

Report current situation, background, your assessment, and recommendation. Keeping it brief and ordered reduces lost information at shift change.

Specific measurable goals

Goals that state exactly what will be achieved, how success is measured, and by when outperform vague intentions in sustaining effort.

Intrinsic motivation

Drive arising from interest, mastery, or purpose rather than external reward. It predicts longer persistence when rewards are removed.

Self-efficacy

Belief in one's capability to succeed at a task. It grows through mastery experiences, credible role models, encouragement, and reduced anxiety.

Growth mindset

Attributing failure to strategy and effort rather than fixed ability. It sustains persistence because setbacks become information, not verdicts.

Integrity test

Ask whether the action could be described openly to a superior and to peers. If disclosure would cause shame, the action fails the standard.

Need-to-know principle

Confidential information is shared only with those who require it to complete the task. Convenience or curiosity never justifies wider disclosure.

Chain of command

Resolve issues at the lowest level able to act, then escalate step by step. Skipping levels is reserved for urgent safety or integrity risk.