Cheat sheet

CB-NCAE Cheat Sheet

Practice Questions

GSA: Verbal + Numerical

Not publishedof exam

Verbal ReasoningNumerical ReasoningReading ComprehensionRatio ProportionPercentage Change

GSA: Logical + Abstract

Not publishedof exam

Logical ReasoningAbstract ReasoningSyllogismsFigure SeriesMatrix Completion

GSA: Spatial + Mechanical + PARE

Not publishedof exam

Spatial ReasoningMechanical ReasoningCube NetsGears and PulleysPerceptual Accuracy PARE

CORE Interest Inventory

Not publishedof exam

CORE-A RIASECCORE-B ThurstoneNo Right AnswerCareer GuidanceHolland Hexagon

Test Logistics + SHS Tracks

Not publishedof exam

Technical AssessmentTest ProperAcademic TrackTech-Pro TrackElective Clusters

Quick Facts

Exam
CB-NCAE
Full Name
Computer-Based National Career Assessment Exam
Owner
DepEd Bureau of Education Assessment
Grade Levels
Grade 9 and Grade 10
Result
No pass or fail score
Cost
Free for eligible learners
Delivery
Computer-based via SEB or FEK
Computer Ratio
1 examinee per computer
Domains
GSA reasoning plus CORE interests
Advisory Date
BEA Advisory 018, August 20

GSA Seven Subtests

Verbal, Numerical, Logical, Abstract, Spatial, Mechanical, PARE

2 domains: GSA + CORE7 GSA reasoning subtestsEnglish and Filipino verbal

Direct vs Inverse Proportion

Direct Proportion

  • Both rise together
  • More hours, more pay

Inverse Proportion

  • One rises, one falls
  • Product stays constant

Together up vs trade-off

Identify The GSA Subtest

  1. Passage with vocabulary question→Verbal Reasoning
  2. Word problem with numbers→Numerical Reasoning
  3. Syllogism or if-then puzzle→Logical Reasoning
  4. Figure series or matrix→Abstract Reasoning
  5. Cube net or folded paper→Spatial Reasoning
  6. Gears, levers, or pulleys→Mechanical Reasoning
  7. Compare codes for a match→PARE
  8. Rate a work activity→CORE

Verbal Reasoning Terms

Main Idea
Passage's central point
Supporting Detail
Backs one part only
Inference
Unstated but supported conclusion
Context Clues
Words around target word
Analogy
Same relationship, different pair
Tone
Attitude from word choice
Author's Purpose
Inform, persuade, describe, entertain

Numerical Reasoning Terms

Direct Proportion
Both quantities rise together
Inverse Proportion
One rises, other falls
Ratio
Compares two quantities
Proportion
Two ratios set equal
% Change Formula
New minus original, over original
Original Price Recovery
Divide by 1 minus discount
Worker-Days Method
Workers times days stays constant

If-Then Logic Rule

P proves Q; Q never proves P

Contrapositive: always trueConverse: not guaranteedInverse: not guaranteed

Rotation vs Reflection

Rotation

  • Keeps handedness
  • Same clockwise order
  • b becomes q

Reflection

  • Reverses handedness
  • Mirrors clockwise order
  • b becomes d

Turn preserves; mirror reverses

Pick The Right Strategy

  1. Series alternates two patterns→Split into two series
  2. Two properties change together→List each property separately
  3. Need original price before discount→Divide by 1 minus discount
  4. Percentage change asked→Divide by original value
  5. Q is true in if-then→Do not assume P true
  6. Rotated letter looks flipped→Check handedness, not angle
  7. Codes look almost identical→Compare position by position
  8. Cube net folds to solid→Find faces one square apart

Logical Reasoning Terms

Syllogism
Two premises, one conclusion
Post Hoc Fallacy
Sequence mistaken for causation
Contrapositive
If not Q, not P
Converse
Reverses if-then; not guaranteed
Inverse (Logic)
Denies both parts; unproven
Assumption
Unstated premise argument needs
Affirming The Consequent
Q true wrongly proves P

Converse vs Contrapositive

Converse

  • Reverses if-then order
  • Not automatically true
  • Q implies P claim

Contrapositive

  • Negates and reverses
  • Always logically equivalent
  • Not Q implies not P

Converse risky; contrapositive guaranteed

Abstract Reasoning Terms

Figure Series
One property changes consistently
Matrix Completion
Rows and columns both matter
Rotation
Keeps figure's handedness
Reflection
Reverses figure's handedness
Odd-One-Out
Majority share one rule
Two-Property Series
List each property separately
Alternating Series
Two interleaved patterns

Mirror Image vs Water Image

Mirror Image

  • Vertical mirror line
  • Swaps left and right
  • Top-bottom unchanged

Water Image

  • Horizontal mirror line
  • Swaps top and bottom
  • Left-right unchanged

Vertical flip vs horizontal flip

Spatial Reasoning Terms

Cube Net
Flat pattern folds to solid
Opposite Faces
One square apart, same line
Mirror Image
Vertical flip; swaps left-right
Water Image
Horizontal flip; swaps top-bottom
Paper Folding
Unfold backward, mirror each fold
Orthographic Views
Front, top, side combined
Painted Cube Corners
8 corners always 3 faces

Mechanical Reasoning Terms

Lever Moment
Force times distance both sides
Inclined Plane IMA
Ramp length divided by height
Fixed Pulley
Changes direction, not force
Movable Pulley
Adds mechanical advantage
Meshed Gears
Adjacent gears rotate opposite
Idler Gear
Reverses direction a second time
Series Circuit
One shared path; one failure
Parallel Circuit
Each own path; independent

Perceptual Accuracy (PARE) Terms

PARE
Speed and accuracy together
Code Comparison
Scan in short chunks
Transposition Error
Two characters swapped
Alphabetical Filing
Compare letter by letter
Speed-Accuracy Trade-Off
Work fast, verify each match

RIASEC Hexagon Order

R-I-A-S-E-C hexagon; opposite pairs least alike

R-S oppositeI-E oppositeA-C oppositeNeighbors share traits

GSA vs CORE

GSA

  • Reasoning aptitude
  • Right and wrong answers
  • Scored subtests

CORE

  • Occupational interests
  • No right answer
  • Preference inventory

Ability tested vs preference recorded

CORE Interest Inventory Terms

CORE-A
RIASEC interest model
CORE-B
Thurstone interest model
Realistic (R)
Hands-on, mechanical work
Investigative (I)
Analytical, scientific work
Artistic (A)
Creative, expressive work
Social (S)
Helping, teaching work
Enterprising (E)
Leading, persuading work
Conventional (C)
Organized, detail-driven work

CORE-A vs CORE-B

CORE-A

  • RIASEC model
  • Six interest types

CORE-B

  • Thurstone model
  • Area labels not published

Two interest-inventory models used

Technical Assessment Four Parts

Part I-IV: Info, EDQ, KLA, CORE

I: General InformationII: EDQ questionnaireIII: KLA attributesIV: CORE interests

Technical Assessment vs Test Proper

Technical Assessment

  • Platform walkthrough only
  • Parts I to IV
  • Not yet scored

Test Proper

  • Actual GSA items
  • Counts toward profile
  • Separate schedule

Platform check vs real test

Read The Career Guidance Profile

  1. Strong Realistic or Investigative interest→Consider STEM or Tech-Pro
  2. Strong Artistic or Social interest→Consider Arts SSH cluster
  3. Strong Enterprising interest→Consider Business cluster
  4. Wants hands-on skills training→Consider Tech-Pro Track
  5. Wants a higher-education pathway→Consider Academic Track
  6. Unsure after GSA and CORE→Discuss profile with counsellor

Test Administration Terms

Technical Assessment
Orientation, EDQ, KLA, CORE parts
Test Proper
Actual scored GSA administration
EDQ
Examinee's Descriptive Questionnaire
KLA
Key Learner Attributes
SEB/FEK
Required exam browser or kiosk
1:1 Ratio
One computer per examinee

Academic Track vs Tech-Pro Track

Academic Track

  • Five elective clusters
  • Aims for higher education
  • Includes STEM and Business

Tech-Pro Track

  • Skills-based elective clusters
  • Aims for employment readiness
  • Technical-professional pathway

College path vs skills path

Senior High Track Terms

Academic Track
Five elective clusters offered
Tech-Pro Track
Skills-based elective clusters
Arts SSH Cluster
Arts, social science, humanities
Business Cluster
Business and entrepreneurship electives
STEM Cluster
Science, tech, engineering, math
Sports Cluster
Sports, health, and wellness
Field Experience Cluster
Fifth Academic elective cluster

Common Traps

GSA vs CORE Scoring

GSA has right answers ≠ CORE has no right answer

Percentage Change Denominator

Divide by original value ≠ Not by the new value

Discount Price Reversal

Divide by 1 minus discount ≠ Not multiply by 1 plus discount

Rotation vs Reflection Trap

Rotation keeps handedness ≠ Reflection flips handedness

Converse Assumed True

Q true does not prove P ≠ That is affirming the consequent

Technical Assessment Misconception

Technical Assessment is not scored ≠ Test Proper is the real exam

CB-NCAE Pass/Fail Myth

There is no passing score ≠ Results form a guidance profile

Last Minute

  1. 1.CB-NCAE has no pass or fail
  2. 2.GSA covers seven reasoning subtests total
  3. 3.CORE has no correct answer
  4. 4.CB-NCAE is free for everyone eligible
  5. 5.Computer-based; needs SEB or FEK browser
  6. 6.1:1 examinee-to-computer ratio required
  7. 7.Rotation keeps handedness; reflection flips it
  8. 8.Percent change divides by original value
  9. 9.Contrapositive always true; converse is not
  10. 10.Technical Assessment differs from Test Proper
  11. 11.Academic Track has five elective clusters
  12. 12.Results guide SHS track choice
  13. 13.RIASEC opposites: R-S, I-E, A-C
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