Nigerian Army DSSC/SSC Test key terms

A word that carries the same or nearly the same meaning as another word in a given context, so replacing one with the other leaves the sentence sense intact.

A word whose meaning stands opposite to another word, such as 'scarce' against 'abundant', used in verbal reasoning to test precise vocabulary control.

Information surrounding an unfamiliar word in a passage that hints at its meaning, including restatement, contrast, examples, or cause-and-effect signals.

A conclusion drawn from evidence in a passage rather than stated outright, requiring the reader to connect stated facts to an unstated but supported idea.

The central point a passage develops and supports throughout, distinguishable from supporting details and usually expressible in one sentence.

The sentence, usually first in a paragraph, that announces the paragraph's controlling idea and is then developed by the remaining sentences.

The way sentences and paragraphs are linked through pronouns, repetition, conjunctions and reference words so a text reads as one connected whole.

Agreement in number, person or gender between grammatical elements, chiefly between subject and verb or between pronoun and its antecedent, as in 'the soldiers are ready'.

A fixed expression whose meaning cannot be worked out from its individual words, such as 'to bite the bullet' meaning to endure something difficult.

A comparison of two or more quantities showing how many times one contains another, often written with a colon such as 3:5.

A statement that two ratios are equal, allowing an unknown quantity to be found by cross-multiplication, as in 2:3 = 8:x.

A fraction or ratio expressed as a part of one hundred, useful for comparing quantities and computing increases, decreases, profit and loss.

The sum of a set of values divided by the number of values, also called the arithmetic mean, used to summarise a group with one figure.

A number between zero and one expressing how likely an event is, calculated as favourable outcomes divided by total equally likely outcomes.

An arrangement of items in which order matters, so that ABC and CBA count as different arrangements of the same three letters.

Interest calculated only on the original principal, using the formula principal times rate times time, without compounding on accrued interest.

A system of government in which power is constitutionally divided between a central authority and component states, each exercising defined powers independently.

The doctrine that legislative, executive and judicial functions should be held by distinct bodies so that no single organ exercises unchecked authority.

The principle that everyone, including officials and the government itself, is subject to the law and accountable before ordinary courts.

The body of fundamental rules establishing a state's institutions, allocating their powers and guaranteeing citizens' rights, and usually supreme over other laws.

The right to vote in political elections, which Nigeria's constitution extends to citizens who have reached the prescribed age and are registered.

A body of electors chosen to cast votes for a candidate, as used in Nigeria's presidential elections where states' votes are counted in a defined manner.

The 1914 merging of the Northern and Southern Protectorates of Nigeria into a single administrative unit under one Governor-General.

A colonial policy of governing through existing local rulers and institutions, notably applied by Lord Lugard in Northern Nigeria.

The movement of Nigerians to end colonial rule and win self-government, expressed through parties, newspapers, unions and delegations.

The unbroken line of authority from a senior commander down to the lowest soldier, through which orders are passed and responsibility is fixed.

The number of subordinates a commander can directly supervise effectively, influenced by the nature of the task and the quality of communications.

The lawful authority a military leader exercises over subordinates by virtue of rank and appointment, including the responsibility to give clear orders.

The mental and emotional state of a body of troops, affecting their willingness to obey, endure hardship and fight, and a key concern of leadership.

The branch of military activity concerned with moving, supplying and maintaining forces, covering transport, food, fuel, ammunition and medical support.

The systematic gathering of information about an enemy or terrain by direct observation or patrols, carried out before and during operations.

Recent national and international developments, including elections, security operations, economic policy and diplomacy, that informed citizens are expected to follow.

The ability to mentally picture shapes, rotate objects and judge how figures relate in space, tested with folds, mirrors and pattern completion items.

A form of deductive argument with two premises leading to a conclusion, tested by asking whether the conclusion necessarily follows from the stated premises.

A sequence of numbers following a hidden rule such as adding a constant, multiplying, or alternating patterns, where the next term must be predicted.