CSS General Science and Ability General Ability Syllabus

General Ability syllabus — full chapter and topic list

Expand any chapter to see its topics and sub-topics. This is the whole examinable outline for General Ability in CSS General Science and Ability, not a summary of it.

1. 1

   Quantitative Ability and Reasoning

   4 topics

   • Arithmetic
   • Algebra
   • Geometry
   • Basic Statistics and Random Sampling
2. 2

   Logical Reasoning

   3 topics

   • Deductive and Inductive Reasoning
   • Number and Letter Series
   • Coding-Decoding and Patterns
3. 3

   Analytical Reasoning

   4 topics

   • Problem Visualization and Articulation
   • Logical Deductions from Information
   • Seating Arrangements and Puzzles
   • Cause and Effect Decision Making
4. 4

   Mental Abilities

   4 topics

   • Verbal Ability
   • Numerical Ability
   • Mechanical Ability
   • Social Ability

General Ability flashcards for CSS General Science and Ability

18 of 50 cards from the General Ability deck — real questions with worked answers.

1. What is the formula for the sum of the first n natural numbers (1 + 2 + ... + n)?

   n(n + 1) / 2

2. In arithmetic, what is the difference between HCF (GCD) and LCM of two numbers?

   HCF is the largest number that divides both; LCM is the smallest number divisible by both. For two numbers, HCF × LCM = product of the two numbers.

3. What is the percentage formula to find what percent A is of B?

   (A / B) × 100

4. State the formula for simple interest.

   SI = (P × R × T) / 100, where P = principal, R = rate per annum, T = time in years.

5. State the compound interest formula for amount A.

   A = P(1 + R/100)^n, where P = principal, R = rate per period, n = number of periods. CI = A − P.

6. What is the formula relating speed, distance, and time?

   Speed = Distance / Time; therefore Distance = Speed × Time and Time = Distance / Speed.

7. In ratio and proportion, what does it mean for a/b = c/d (a proportion)?

   The two ratios are equal; cross-multiplication gives a × d = b × c. b and c are the means, a and d are the extremes.

8. What is the average (arithmetic mean) of a set of numbers?

   Sum of all the values divided by the count of values.

9. Expand the algebraic identity (a + b)^2.

   a^2 + 2ab + b^2

10. Expand the algebraic identity (a − b)^2.

    a^2 − 2ab + b^2

11. Factorize a^2 − b^2.

    (a + b)(a − b)

12. State the quadratic formula for ax^2 + bx + c = 0.

    x = [−b ± √(b^2 − 4ac)] / (2a)

13. In a quadratic ax^2 + bx + c = 0, what does the discriminant b^2 − 4ac tell you?

    If > 0: two distinct real roots; if = 0: one repeated real root; if < 0: two complex (no real) roots.

14. For roots of ax^2 + bx + c = 0, what are the sum and product of the roots?

    Sum of roots = −b/a; Product of roots = c/a.

15. State the law of exponents for a^m × a^n.

    a^m × a^n = a^(m+n). Also a^m / a^n = a^(m−n), and (a^m)^n = a^(mn).

16. What is the expansion of (a + b)^3?

    a^3 + 3a^2 b + 3ab^2 + b^3

17. State the Pythagorean theorem.

    In a right-angled triangle, the square of the hypotenuse equals the sum of the squares of the other two sides: c^2 = a^2 + b^2.

18. What is the sum of the interior angles of a triangle, and of any polygon with n sides?

    Triangle = 180°. Any n-sided polygon = (n − 2) × 180°.

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