FENZ General Ability Screen key terms

A conclusion drawn from stated evidence rather than stated outright. In verbal reasoning you must check that the inference is necessarily supported, not merely plausible or consistent with the passage.

An unstated idea that must be true for an argument to work. If denying the assumption destroys the argument, it is a necessary assumption and therefore part of the reasoning's hidden structure.

The main claim an argument is trying to establish, supported by the remaining statements. Distinguishing it from supporting evidence is the first step in analysing any passage.

A statement offered as evidence or a reason inside an argument. Premises are taken as given; the question is whether they genuinely support the conclusion drawn from them.

A word with the opposite meaning to another, such as 'scarce' and 'abundant'. Antonym questions test precision of vocabulary, so check the part of speech and degree of intensity as well.

A word close in meaning to another, such as 'brief' and 'concise'. Few synonyms are exact, so choose the option that fits the original word's register and strength.

The emotional or evaluative shading a word carries beyond its literal meaning, such as 'thrifty' versus 'stingy'. Ignoring connotation often makes an otherwise plausible word choice wrong.

The attitude an author conveys towards the subject, for example critical, neutral, or sympathetic. Tone is inferred from word choice and emphasis rather than stated directly.

The property of an argument whose conclusion follows necessarily from its premises. A valid argument can still have false premises, so validity concerns structure, not factual truth.

A property of an argument that is both valid in structure and has genuinely true premises. Soundness is stronger than validity because it guarantees the conclusion is true.

A deductive argument with two premises sharing a term and a conclusion linking the other two, as in 'all A are B; all B are C; therefore all A are C'. Diagramming categories helps avoid errors.

The logically equivalent reversal-and-negation of a conditional: from 'if P then Q' follows 'if not Q then not P'. Unlike the converse, the contrapositive is always valid.

Wrongly treating 'if P then Q' as allowing 'if Q then P'. Affirming the consequent this way is a common trap in conditional reasoning questions and is not logically valid.

A series of numbers or symbols following a rule, such as adding an increasing amount each step. Identify the operation between consecutive terms before predicting the next.

A relationship question of the form 'A is to B as C is to ?'. Name the precise relationship first, then apply exactly that relationship to the second pair.

The underlying principle generating a series or figure set, such as alternating operations or rotating elements. Stating the rule in words makes it easier to test against every given item.

Turning a shape about a fixed point by a given angle, which preserves size and shape. Tracking one distinctive feature, such as a marked corner, reveals the angle and direction.

A mirror image of a shape across a line, reversing orientation while keeping size. A reflected shape cannot be rotated back into the original unless it is symmetrical.

The property of a figure looking unchanged after a reflection or rotation. Counting lines of symmetry and rotational order quickly classifies many abstract figures.

A flat pattern that folds into a three-dimensional solid, such as six squares forming a cube. Checking which edges meet when folded solves most cube-folding questions.

The view of an object seen from directly above, showing its footprint and layout. Combining plan, front, and side views allows a solid to be reconstructed mentally.

The flat shape produced by slicing through a solid at a chosen plane. Predicting cross-sections tests spatial visualisation, for example a cylinder cut at an angle gives an ellipse.

A comparison of two or more quantities by division, written as 3:2 or 3/2. Ratios scale only when every part is multiplied by the same factor.

A statement that two ratios are equal, allowing an unknown value to be found by cross-multiplication. Direct proportion rises together; inverse proportion means one falls as the other rises.

The difference between a new and original value expressed as a percentage of the original. Always divide by the original amount, since a rise then fall of the same percentage does not return to the start.

A quantity per unit of another, such as kilometres per hour or litres per minute. Converting all units to a common base before calculating prevents most rate errors.

The sum of a set of values divided by how many values there are. Knowing the mean and count lets you recover the total, which solves many combined-group problems.

The middle value of a set placed in order, or the mean of the two middle values if the count is even. It is less affected by extreme values than the mean.

The difference between the largest and smallest values in a data set. It is a simple measure of spread but depends entirely on the two extreme observations.

Arriving at an approximate answer by rounding values to convenient numbers. In timed numerical tests, estimating first often identifies the only plausible option without full calculation.

The factor by which a machine multiplies an applied force, found by dividing load by effort. A lever's advantage depends on the distances from the pivot to load and effort.

The turning effect of a force, calculated as force multiplied by perpendicular distance from the pivot. A system balances when clockwise and anticlockwise moments are equal.

A rigid bar pivoting at a fulcrum to move a load with less effort. Placing the fulcrum closer to the load increases the effort's turning effect and the mechanical advantage.

The ratio of teeth on a driven gear to those on the driving gear, setting the change in speed and torque. A larger driven gear turns more slowly but with greater turning force.

Force spread over an area, measured in pascals. For the same force, a smaller contact area produces higher pressure, which explains why sharp edges cut easily.

Choosing the most and least effective response to a realistic workplace scenario. Answers should reflect safety, honesty, escalation through the right channel, and respect for colleagues and the public.

Referring a problem to a more senior or specialist person when it exceeds your authority or competence. Timely escalation is a strength, not a failure, particularly where safety is involved.

Owning your actions and their consequences, including admitting mistakes promptly. In judgement scenarios, the accountable response acknowledges error and corrects it rather than concealing it.

Acting honestly and consistently with stated values, even when no one is watching or when it is inconvenient. It includes refusing to falsify records or misrepresent facts.

A situation where a personal interest could improperly influence a work decision. The correct response is to disclose it and step back from the decision where appropriate.

Cooperating with others towards a shared goal by sharing information, supporting colleagues, and doing a fair share. Effective teamwork also means raising concerns early rather than silently.