CSE-PPT Professional key terms

A word that has the same or nearly the same meaning as another word, such as 'begin' and 'start'. Verbal analogy and vocabulary items often ask you to pick the closest match.

A word that means the opposite of another word, such as 'expand' and 'shrink'. Questions may ask you to identify the word most nearly opposite in meaning.

A hint inside a sentence that helps you guess an unfamiliar word's meaning, such as a definition, example, contrast, or cause-and-effect signal. Careful reading of surrounding words usually reveals the answer.

A comparison showing a relationship between two pairs of words, such as 'doctor is to hospital as teacher is to school.' You must first name the relationship, then apply it to the choices.

The central point a paragraph or passage is built around, usually stated or implied in a topic sentence. Every other sentence supports, explains, or illustrates it.

The sentence, often first, that announces what a paragraph is about. It controls the paragraph's direction and is usually the broadest statement in it.

A fact, example, reason, or statistic that backs up the main idea of a passage. Details answer who, what, when, where, why, or how, and are often the target of specific questions.

A conclusion you draw from evidence in the text even though it is not stated outright. A valid inference must be supported by the passage, not by your personal opinion.

The writer's attitude toward the subject, revealed through word choice, such as sarcastic, hopeful, or critical. Tone differs from mood, which is the feeling the text creates in the reader.

A word or phrase that links ideas and signals their relationship, such as 'however' for contrast, 'therefore' for result, and 'meanwhile' for time. Choosing the right one keeps sentences coherent.

The quality of writing in which ideas flow logically and connect clearly from sentence to sentence. It is achieved through transitions, pronouns, and consistent organization.

The rule that a verb must match its subject in number, as in 'The list of items is long.' Watch for phrases between the subject and verb that can mislead you.

The rule that a pronoun must match the noun it refers to in number and gender, as in 'Each student must bring his or her book.' Singular indefinite pronouns take singular pronouns.

A descriptive phrase that does not clearly attach to the word it describes, as in 'Walking home, the rain soaked me.' The doer of the action must appear as the subject.

The order in which sentences are arranged so a paragraph reads logically, such as general to specific, chronological, or cause to effect. Rearranging sentences often tests this skill.

A comparison of two quantities by division, often written as a fraction or with a colon, such as 3:4. It tells how many parts of one kind there are for each part of another.

An equation stating that two ratios are equal, such as 3/4 = 6/8. Solving a proportion usually means finding the missing term by cross-multiplication.

A number expressed as a part of 100, written with the percent sign. To convert a percent to a decimal, divide by 100; to convert to a fraction, place it over 100 and simplify.

A ratio comparing two quantities with different units, such as kilometers per hour or pesos per kilo. It describes how one quantity changes relative to another.

The sum of a set of values divided by how many values there are, also called the mean. It is a single number that represents the center of the data.

The middle value of a data set arranged in order. If there is an even number of values, the median is the average of the two middle ones.

The value that appears most often in a data set. A set may have one mode, several modes, or none if every value occurs equally.

Money paid for the use of borrowed money, or earned on money saved, usually a percentage of the principal. Simple interest is computed on the original amount only.

The original amount of money borrowed or invested, separate from any interest earned or charged. Interest is calculated as a percentage of this base amount.

A reduction from the original price, often given as a percent, such as 20% off. The sale price equals the original price minus the discount amount.

The amount added to the cost of an item to arrive at its selling price, often expressed as a percent of cost. It differs from margin, which is based on the selling price.

The total distance around the outside of a closed plane figure, found by adding the lengths of all its sides. It is measured in linear units such as centimeters.

The amount of surface a flat figure covers, measured in square units. Common formulas include length times width for rectangles and one-half base times height for triangles.

The amount of space a solid figure occupies, measured in cubic units. For a rectangular box it equals length times width times height.

A sequence of numbers that follows a hidden rule, such as adding 3 each time or doubling. Your task is to discover the pattern and supply the next term.

A form of deductive reasoning with two premises and a conclusion, such as 'All A are B; all B are C; therefore all A are C.' Validity depends on form, not on whether the statements are true in real life.

A statement offered as evidence or a starting assumption in an argument. The conclusion is supposed to follow from the premises, whether or not they are actually true.

The claim an argument is trying to establish on the basis of its premises. A good conclusion follows logically from what is given, not from outside knowledge.

The property of an argument whose conclusion must be true whenever its premises are true, because of its logical form. Validity concerns structure, while truth concerns content.

An unstated idea the argument relies on to reach its conclusion. Finding it means asking what must be true for the evidence to support the claim.

An ordering of events, objects, or steps that follows a consistent rule, such as time, size, or rank. Arranging items by the stated rule is a common analytical task.

Arranging words or names according to the position of their letters in the alphabet, comparing letter by letter from left to right. It is the standard basis for filing and indexing.

The systematic arrangement of records or documents so they can be found quickly, usually by name, date, or number. Accuracy in ordering is the key skill tested.

Deciding which part of a name or title is used as the filing key, such as filing 'Dela Cruz, Juan' under D. It determines where an item is placed in a sequence.

Carefully checking written text for errors in spelling, grammar, punctuation, capitalization, and spacing. It requires comparing details closely rather than reading for general meaning.

Copying written or spoken material exactly into another form, such as typing text from a document. Correctness of names, numbers, and punctuation matters more than speed.

Entering information into a system without altering it, matching the source character for character. Small slips in digits or letters are the errors these items test.