National University of Singapore (NUS ), School of Computing
Graduate Diploma in Systems Analysis (GDipSA) Aptitude Test
All GDipSA applicants are required to sit for the aptitude test. This is a test to measure your aptitudes for learning and performing the job of computer programming and systems analysis. There are four parts to the test and each part will be timed separately - Verbal Meaning, Reasoning, Number Ability, and Diagram Ability. It is designed to test your problem-solving ability, your ability to read and understand diagrams, etc. You can't really study for the test. It is designed to test what abilities you have, as opposed to testing what facts or information you know.Sample Questions
Verbal MeaningEach item in this part of the test presents a word, followed by five alternatives. You are to choose from the five words the one that means the same or most nearly the same as the word at the beginning.
Sample question: Recipient
1. donor 2. owner 3. performer 4. receiver 5. borrower
Answer: the word recipient means the same as receiver.
Reasoning
This is a test of your ability to reason and to express problems in a simple form using conventional mathematical symbols. The items in the test require you to read a problem and formulate an answer for it. Sample question: An office manager ordered a conference table which cost S dollars, a dozen chairs which cost P dollars each, and three book shelves which cost Y dollars a piece. The total cost of the order in dollars is
1. S + P + Y
2. SP + 3Y
3. S + 12P + 3Y
4. S + (P + Y) / 4
5. S + P +3Y
Answer: 3
Number Ability
This test measures your ability to make rapid numerical calculations and estimates.
Sample question: (123 / 11) + 18 (approximate)
a) 15 b) 27 c) 30 d) 33
Answer: c
Diagramming
In this section there are a number of problems with flow charts (schematic diagrams) that illustrate the process by which each problem is solved. The solution to a problem is illustrated in its diagram by following the arrows from cell to cell.
Sample question:
See the Diagram at http://zmagmdy.googlepages.com/ISSSample.JPG
Problem and Conditions
A. A company inspects and classifies its products in lots of 100.
B. It is necessary to classify the individual pieces within each lot of 100 into three classes by weight:
Class K – 4.5 oz. or over
Class L – 3.5 to 4.4 oz.
Class M – less than 3.5 oz.
Cell 1.
A. Is it less than 3.5 oz.?
B. Select a piece.
C. Is it 3.5 to 4.4 oz.? YCLASSIFY AS K CLASSIFY AS L2 INCREASE COUNT BY 1IS COUNT 100 Y N 3 Y
D. Classify as M.
E. Classify as L.
Answer: C.
Cell 2.
A. Classify as K.
B. Classification of lot complete.
C. Select a piece.
D. Classify as M.
E. Classify as L.
Answer: D.
Cell 3.
A. Select a piece.
B. Classification of lot complete.
C. Classify lot as K.
D. Classify lot as L.
E. Classify lot as M.
Answer: B.
