CEnT-S Syllabus: Complete Exam Topics

01. Numbers

Candidates should be comfortable moving between different representations of numbers, and estimating whether a result is plausible, rather than relying only on mechanical calculation.

• Elementary operations and ordering between integer, rational and real numbers
• Division with remainder between natural numbers; factorization, divisors and multiples
• Powers with integer exponent; roots of positive numbers; powers with rational exponent
• Percentages of numbers and percentage changes
• Calculation and transformation of expressions

02. Algebra

The emphasis is on manipulating equivalent mathematical expressions and correctly interpreting solution sets.

• Manipulation and evaluation of literal expressions, equalities and inequalities
• Factorization and roots of polynomials
• Solution concepts and solution sets for equations, inequalities, and systems
• First and second degree algebraic equations and inequalities
• Manipulation and resolution of linear or simple systems

03. Geometry

Analytical geometry is a full part of the syllabus alongside classical Euclidean geometry — coordinate-plane representations are in scope, not just figure properties.

• Classification and properties of plane and space figures: lines, planes, angles, triangles, quadrilaterals, regular polygons, circumferences, prisms, pyramids, cylinders, cones, spheres
• Perimeter, area, and volume calculations
• Similarity concepts and relationships between similar figures
• Cartesian coordinates and distance between points
• Equations of straight lines, slope, and line intersections
• Circumference equations and plane subset representations

04. Functions

CISIA explicitly expects candidates to move comfortably between algebraic and graphical representations.

• Function concept; composition, invertibility, and inverse functions
• Main function properties and characteristics
• Graph interpretation and transformations; graphic equation and inequality resolution
• Elementary functions: power, root, polynomial, rational (e.g. 1/(ax+b)), absolute value, exponential, logarithmic

05. Exponentials and Logarithms

• Logarithm definition and algebraic properties
• Exponential and logarithmic function characteristics
• Elementary exponential and logarithmic equations and inequalities

06. Combinatorics and Probability

• Finite set representation and counting strategies
• Dispositions, combinations, permutations
• Event probability as the ratio of favorable to possible outcomes
• Union and intersection probability for disjoint and independent events

07. Basic Statistics

The official syllabus combines calculation with reading and interpreting data — knowing a formula in isolation isn't enough.

• Data representation and interpretation using tables and graphs
• Absolute and relative frequency concepts
• Measures of central tendency (mean, median, mode)

01. Logic and Deductive Reasoning

This isn't a formal university logic course — questions are phrased in plain language, and the goal is reading the logical relationship between statements correctly.

• Understanding logical connectives (negation, conjunction, disjunction, implication)
• Recognition of quantifier expressions: “every,” “all,” “each,” “none,” “at least”
• Proposition verification and logical compatibility assessment
• Deduction of logical consequences from propositions
• Negation and counterexample identification
• Necessary, sufficient, and necessary-and-sufficient conditions
• Set-based representation for logical deductions

02. Interpretation and Manipulation of Data

These questions often combine verbal and numerical information at once — for example, checking a written claim against a chart next to it.

• Understanding texts with varied language and representations
• Numerical information extraction from texts, tables, and graphs
• Conclusion drawing and statement-support verification
• Data sorting and criteria application
• Process recognition for information extraction

03. Problem Solving and Basic Mathematical Language

• Text comprehension including figures, tables, and diagrams
• Information representation using schemas, tables, sets, diagrams
• Calculation, estimation, sorting, and number comparison
• Percentage, ratio, proportionality, and arithmetic mean concepts
• Translation of word relationships into equations
• Assessing whether a mathematical result makes sense for the original real-world problem

01. Biological Molecules

• Water biological properties; hydrophilic and hydrophobic molecules
• Carbohydrates
• Lipids
• Proteins
• Nucleic acids
• Macromolecular organization levels (monomers, polymers, structural hierarchies)

02. Cell Biology

• Prokaryotic vs. eukaryotic cell differences
• Eukaryotic cell structural and functional characteristics
• Cellular components: plasma membrane, nucleus, ribosomes, endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, lysosomes, mitochondria, cytoskeleton
• Plant cell specific features: cell wall, chloroplasts, plastids, vacuoles

03. Cell Cycle, Cell Division, Inheritance

• Genome characteristics in prokaryotes and eukaryotes
• DNA and RNA genetic information coding
• Replication, transcription, translation — general characteristics
• Cell cycle phases
• Cell division in prokaryotes and eukaryotes; mitosis and meiosis
• Mendelian inheritance principles

04. Elements of Plant Biology and Ecology

This nucleus is explicit in the current official syllabus and gets less coverage in some summaries — it's presented here in full.

• Plant anatomy and structural features: roots, stems, leaves, flowers, fruits, seeds
• Photosynthesis and energy flows
• Ecosystem structure and food chains
• Biotic interactions: competition, predation, parasitism, mutualism, commensalism

05. Elements of Animal Anatomy and Physiology

This is also a full part of the official syllabus — lighter treatment in summary sources doesn't mean it's out of scope.

• Tissue types: epithelial, connective, muscular, nervous
• Musculoskeletal system
• Digestive, respiratory, circulatory, excretory, and nervous systems

01. Macroscopic Properties of Matter

• Particle model of matter; states and physical changes
• Chemical transformations
• Gas, liquid, solid macroscopic properties
• Homogeneous and heterogeneous mixtures; separation methods
• Fundamental chemistry laws (Lavoisier, Proust, Gay-Lussac, Avogadro)

02. Microscopic Properties and Substance Composition

• Atomic structure and components
• Lewis structures (electron dot model)
• Chemical formulas; compounds and ions; atomic and molecular mass
• Chemical bond types: ionic, covalent, metallic; bond polarity
• Intermolecular forces and hydrogen bonding
• Molecular geometry (VSEPR theory) and hybridization

03. Periodic Trends and Atomic Structure

• Periodic table structure: periods and groups
• Atomic models and quantum numbers
• Isotopes
• Periodic trends: electronegativity, atomic radius, ionization energy
• Electron configurations: Aufbau principle, Pauli exclusion principle

04. Chemical Reactions and Stoichiometry

• Chemical equation writing, reading, and balancing
• Mole concept and Avogadro's constant
• Mass-to-mole conversions
• Limiting reactant and theoretical yield
• Mole and mass relationships in reactions
• Concentration units and related calculations

05. Thermodynamics and Kinetics

• Ideal gas laws and partial pressures
• Internal energy, enthalpy, entropy, Gibbs free energy
• Endothermic and exothermic reactions
• Dynamic chemical equilibrium; equilibrium constants
• Activation energy, catalysis, reaction rate dependence

06. Compounds and Solutions

• Inorganic compound nomenclature (IUPAC and traditional)
• Electrolytes, non-electrolytes, and solubility
• Solution properties: conductivity and colligative properties
• Metal chemical properties

07. Acids and Bases

• Acid and base identification and properties
• Acid-base reaction writing and equilibria management
• Acid and base strength; pH calculation and indicators
• Neutralization reactions and salt formation
• Salt solution pH; buffer solutions

08. Oxidation and Reduction (Redox)

• Redox reaction identification and balancing
• Oxidation state calculation
• Oxidant and reductant identification
• Redox potential scale
• Atomic valence

09. Organic Chemistry

• Carbon hybridization and compound structure
• Combustion reactions
• Isomerism and structure-property relationships
• Nomenclature and properties: alkanes, alkenes, alkynes, cycloalkanes, benzene, aromatic compounds, alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, ethers, esters, carboxylic acids

10. Applied Chemistry

This nucleus is explicit in the current official syllabus and is sometimes skipped in summary sources — it's listed here in full.

• Measurement, units, and experimental data uncertainties
• Daily life chemical transformations
• Commercial product label reading
• Environmental issues: acid rain, greenhouse effect, smog
• Chemical safety regulations

01. Physical Quantities and Measurement

• Fundamental and derived physical quantities
• SI units and everyday unit conversions
• Multiples/submultiples prefixes; scientific notation
• Graphical representations: proportionality, linear, quadratic, inverse-square, sinusoidal, exponential, logarithmic dependencies
• Vector operations: sum, difference, scalar and vector products in 3D

02. Point Particle Kinematics

The Galilean transformation is an explicit part of the current official syllabus and is easy to miss in shorter summaries.

• Motion description: position, trajectory, displacement, velocity, acceleration
• Time concepts: instant and interval
• Frequency and period
• Uniform linear motion and uniformly accelerated motion
• Position, velocity, acceleration graphs
• Free-falling motion
• Uniform circular motion: period, frequency, linear and angular velocity, centripetal acceleration
• Galilean transformation between inertial reference frames

03. Point Particle Dynamics, Energy and Work

• Principle of inertia
• Force concept and Newton's Second Law
• Normal forces, gravitational force, string tension
• Work concept, power, kinetic energy, work-energy principle
• Gravitational potential energy
• Mechanical energy conservation principle

04. Fluid Mechanics and Thermodynamics

Bernoulli's principle is an explicit part of the current official syllabus and is easy to miss in shorter summaries.

• Fluid description quantities: density, pressure, atmospheric pressure
• Hydrostatics laws: Pascal's Law, Stevin's Law, Archimedes' principle
• Fluid dynamics: pipeline flow, continuity law for ideal fluids, Bernoulli's principle
• Ideal gas concept and state variables (P, V, T)
• Kelvin and Celsius thermometric scales
• Ideal gas law (equation of state)
• Heat as energy exchange; thermodynamic work definition
• First law of thermodynamics
• Second law of thermodynamics — qualitative aspects

05. Electromagnetism Principles

• Electrostatic interactions between point charges; Coulomb's Law
• Electric field concept; single and multiple point charges; uniform electric fields
• Electrical material behavior: insulators and conductors
• Electric current as charge motion; current intensity, resistance
• Ohm's first law
• Permanent magnet interactions
• Magnetic field concept and field line representation
• Wave types (light and sound)
• Wave characteristics: amplitude, frequency, wavelength, propagation velocity relationships
• Electromagnetic spectrum