Analytical Aptitude

Question 1

Affinity diagramming

Answer 1

Data-sorting technique in which a group categorizes and subcategorizes data until relationships are clearly drawn.

Question 2

Delphi technique

Answer 2

Technique that progressively collects information from a group of anonymous respondents.

Question 3

Focus group

Answer 3

Small group of invited persons (typically six to twelve) who actively participate in a structured discussion, led by a facilitator, for the purpose of eliciting their input.

Question 4

Mean

Answer 4

Average score or value.

Question 5

Median

Answer 5

Middle value in a range of values.

Question 6

Mind mapping

Answer 6

Data-sorting technique in which group members add related ideas and indicate logical connections, eventually grouping similar ideas.

Question 7

Mode

Answer 7

Value that occurs most frequently in a set of data.

Question 8

Nominal group technique (NGT)

Answer 8

Technique in which participants each suggest ideas through a series of rounds and then discuss the items, eliminate redundancies and irrelevancies, and agree on the importance of the remaining items.

Question 9

Qualitative data

Answer 9

Subjective evaluation of actions, feelings, or behaviors.

Question 10

Quantitative data

Answer 10

Objective measurements that can be verified and used in statistical analysis.

Question 11

Ratio analysis

Answer 11

Comparing the sizes of two variables to produce an index or percentage; commonly used to analyze financial statements.

Question 12

Regression analysis

Answer 12

Statistical method used to determine whether a relationship exists between variables and the strength of the relationship.

Question 13

Reliability

Answer 13

Extent to which a measurement instrument provides consistent results.

Question 14

Root-cause analysis

Answer 14

Type of analysis that starts with a result and then works backward to identify fundamental cause

Question 15

Scenario/what-if analysis

Answer 15

Statistical method used to test the possible effects of altering the details of a strategy to see if the likely outcome can be improved.

Question 16

Standard deviation

Answer 16

Distance of any data point from the center of a distribution when data is distributed in a “normal” or expected pattern.

Question 17

Trend analysis

Answer 17

Statistical method that examines data from different points in time to determine if a variance is an isolated event or if it is part of a longer trend.

Question 18

Unweighted mean

Answer 18

Raw average of data that gives equal weight to all values, with no regard for other factors.

Question 19

Validity

Answer 19

Extent to which a measurement instrument measures what it is intended to measure.

Question 20

Variance analysis

Answer 20

Statistical method for identifying the degree of difference between planned and actual performance or outcomes.

Question 21

Weighted mean

Answer 21

Average of data that adds factors to reflect the importance of different values.