PMAEE PMA Knowledge — Military Aptitude & Current Defence AffairsMemory Anchors

Tags

• classification
• aptitude

Topic

Military Aptitude Types

Concept

Six types of PMAEE aptitude questions

Anchor Id

A1

Difficulty

medium

Memory Aid

Nancy's Little Soldiers March Smartly Carrying - Number series, Letter series, Spatial visualization, Mathematical reasoning, Analogies, Code/cipher

Anchor Type

acronym

Why It Works

The military marching theme connects to the PMA context, and the first letters create a memorable sequence

Example Usage

When you see the aptitude section, recall 'Nancy's Little Soldiers' to remember all six question types you might encounter

Recall Trigger

Think of soldiers marching in formation

Tags

• treaties
• chronology

Topic

Defense Agreements

Concept

Three major defense agreements with the US

Anchor Id

A2

Difficulty

easy

Memory Aid

My Very Excellent Defense - MDT (Mutual Defense Treaty 1951), VFA (Visiting Forces Agreement 1998), EDCA (Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement 2014)

Anchor Type

acronym

Why It Works

The word 'Excellent' emphasizes the importance of these agreements, and the chronological order helps recall the timeline

Example Usage

When asked about US-Philippines defense cooperation, recall 'My Very Excellent Defense' to list all three agreements chronologically

Recall Trigger

Think of a very excellent defense system

Tags

• strategy
• patterns

Topic

Aptitude Strategies

Concept

Number series pattern recognition strategy

Anchor Id

A3

Difficulty

medium

Memory Aid

Number series are like climbing stairs - first check if each step is the same height (arithmetic), then check if steps get bigger by the same amount each time (second-order differences), like stairs that gradually get steeper

Anchor Type

analogy

Why It Works

The stair analogy makes abstract mathematical patterns concrete and visual

Example Usage

For 2,5,10,17,26,? think stairs: +3,+5,+7,+9 (steps getting steeper by +2 each time), so next step is +11, answer is 37

Recall Trigger

Picture yourself climbing stairs of different heights

Tags

• geopolitics
• timeline

Topic

Current Defense Affairs

Concept

West Philippine Sea key facts

Anchor Id

A4

Difficulty

medium

Memory Aid

In 2016, Papa (Permanent Court of Arbitration) told China 'No trespassing!' in our backyard (WPS), but China keeps sneaking back. So we invited friends (US, Japan, Australia) for joint patrols, and strengthened our fence (Pag-asa Island reinforcement)

Anchor Type

micro_story

Why It Works

The family backyard analogy makes complex geopolitics relatable and memorable

Example Usage

When asked about WPS issues, recall the backyard story to remember the 2016 ruling, Chinese encroachment, joint patrols, and island reinforcement

Recall Trigger

Think of protecting your family's backyard from trespassers

Tags

• organization
• classification

Topic

Military Organization

Concept

AFP three major service commands

Anchor Id

A5

Difficulty

easy

Memory Aid

Army on land, Navy on sea, Air Force flies free - PA, PN, PAF are the three

Anchor Type

rhyme

Why It Works

The rhyme creates a musical pattern that's naturally memorable, and associates each service with its domain

Example Usage

When asked about AFP structure, use the rhyme to remember the three services and their abbreviations

Recall Trigger

Think of the domains: land, sea, air

Tags

• visualization
• strategy

Topic

Spatial Aptitude

Concept

Spatial reasoning cube counting technique

Anchor Id

A6

Difficulty

hard

Memory Aid

Imagine the cube stack as a 3D apartment building - count visible apartments (cubes) from each direction, then add hidden apartments behind visible ones. Like a building inspector checking every unit

Anchor Type

visual_association

Why It Works

The apartment building metaphor makes 3D visualization more concrete and systematic

Example Usage

For cube counting problems, visualize apartments: count front face, add depth, subtract overlaps

Recall Trigger

Picture yourself as a building inspector

Tags

• politics
• peace process

Topic

Mindanao Security

Concept

BARMM establishment and significance

Anchor Id

A7

Difficulty

medium

Memory Aid

BAR-MM in 2019 - like a BAR exam for Muslim Mindanao, creating the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region for peace

Anchor Type

chunking

Why It Works

Chunking BARMM into familiar 'BAR' (like the bar exam) makes it memorable, and 2019 is recent enough to recall

Example Usage

When discussing Mindanao peace process, recall 'BAR-MM 2019' to remember the autonomous region establishment

Recall Trigger

Think of taking a 'BAR' exam in Mindanao

Tags

• strategy
• time management

Topic

Test Strategy

Concept

Time management strategy for aptitude section

Anchor Id

A8

Difficulty

easy

Memory Aid

Treat aptitude questions like Speed Dating - give each question 1 minute max, don't fall in love with any single problem, move on quickly if there's no instant connection, and come back to the interesting ones later

Anchor Type

analogy

Why It Works

The speed dating analogy captures the time pressure and decision-making strategy in a memorable way

Example Usage

During the exam, when you spend too long on one aptitude item, remember 'speed dating' - move to the next question

Recall Trigger

Think of a speed dating event with a timer

Tags

• threats
• acronym

Topic

Internal Security

Concept

Mindanao security threats (Abu Sayyaf, ISIS, NPA)

Anchor Id

A9

Difficulty

medium

Memory Aid

AIN't peace easy - Abu Sayyaf, ISIS groups, NPA still active in Mindanao despite BARMM

Anchor Type

acronym

Why It Works

The play on 'ain't' reflects the ongoing challenge, and AIN covers the three main threat groups

Example Usage

When asked about Mindanao security challenges, use 'AIN't peace easy' to recall the three main threat groups

Recall Trigger

Think 'Ain't peace easy in Mindanao?'

Tags

• strategy
• process

Topic

Logic Aptitude

Concept

Logic puzzle solving approach

Anchor Id

A10

Difficulty

hard

Memory Aid

Walk through your house solving logic puzzles: At the front door (Read all clues), in the living room (Make a grid/chart), in the kitchen (Fill in definite facts first), in the bedroom (Use elimination), in the bathroom (Double-check your answer)

Anchor Type

method_of_loci

Why It Works

The familiar house layout provides a memorable sequence for the logical problem-solving steps

Example Usage

For logic puzzles about seating arrangements, mentally walk through your house to follow the solving sequence

Recall Trigger

Picture walking through your own house

Tags

• equipment
• modernization

Topic

Military Modernization

Concept

AFP modernization key acquisitions

Anchor Id

A11

Difficulty

medium

Memory Aid

The Filipino warrior got new gear: Jose Rizal and Antonio Luna (frigates) guard our seas, while FA-50 fighter jets soar overhead and attack helicopters provide close support - all part of RA 7898's modernization promise

Anchor Type

micro_story

Why It Works

Using national heroes' names for the frigates creates patriotic associations, and the warrior theme fits military context

Example Usage

When asked about AFP modernization, recall the warrior story to remember specific acquisitions and the legal basis

Recall Trigger

Picture a modern Filipino warrior with new equipment

Tags

• strategy
• reading

Topic

Reading Aptitude

Concept

Critical reading strategy for aptitude

Anchor Id

A12

Difficulty

medium

Memory Aid

MAIN IDEAS - Main point first, Author's intent, Inferences from context, Never assume beyond text, Important details vs fluff, Details that support main point, Evidence-based conclusions, Arguments structure

Anchor Type

acronym

Why It Works

MAIN IDEAS directly relates to the goal of critical reading, and each letter provides a specific strategy

Example Usage

Before reading a passage, think 'MAIN IDEAS' to remind yourself of the eight key reading strategies

Recall Trigger

Ask yourself 'What are the MAIN IDEAS?'

Tags

• geography
• strategy

Topic

Strategic Geography

Concept

Philippine strategic geography importance

Anchor Id

A13

Difficulty

hard

Memory Aid

The Philippines is like a cork in a bottle - we're the 'First Island Chain' cork that controls access between the Pacific Ocean (bottle) and the South China Sea. Anyone wanting to move between these waters must pass by our islands

Anchor Type

visual_association

Why It Works

The cork-in-bottle image makes abstract strategic geography concrete and shows why location matters

Example Usage

When discussing Philippines' strategic importance, use the cork analogy to explain First Island Chain position

Recall Trigger

Picture the Philippines as a cork controlling water flow

Tags

• patterns
• logic

Topic

Code Breaking

Concept

Code and cipher solving approach

Anchor Id

A14

Difficulty

hard

Memory Aid

Solving codes is like being a detective at a costume party - everyone is disguised (letters/numbers in costume), but you need to figure out who's really who by looking for patterns in how they behave and interact

Anchor Type

analogy

Why It Works

The costume party analogy makes abstract symbol substitution relatable and emphasizes pattern recognition

Example Usage

For cipher problems, think 'detective work' - look for frequency patterns, common letter combinations, and logical substitutions

Recall Trigger

Picture yourself as a detective at a masked party

Tags

• geopolitics
• regional security

Topic

Geopolitical Tensions

Concept

Taiwan tensions impact on Philippines

Anchor Id

A15

Difficulty

medium

Memory Aid

Our northern neighbor Taiwan is like a house where two big families (US and China) might fight. Since we live next door (northern Luzon is very close), any fight in their yard could spill into ours, so we need to prepare our own defenses carefully

Anchor Type

micro_story

Why It Works

The neighborhood dispute analogy makes complex geopolitics relatable and shows why it affects the Philippines

Example Usage

When discussing regional tensions, use the neighborhood story to explain why Taiwan matters to Philippine security

Recall Trigger

Think of worried neighbors watching a potential fight next door

Tags

• organization
• geography

Topic

Military Organization

Concept

AFP unified commands geographic coverage

Anchor Id

A16

Difficulty

hard

Memory Aid

From North to South: NO-SO-WE-CE-WE-EA (like 'No, So We See We Eat') - NOLCOM, SOLCOM, WESCOM, CENTCOM, WESTMINCOM, EASTMINCOM

Anchor Type

chunking

Why It Works

The nonsense phrase 'No, So We See We Eat' creates a memorable sound pattern for the geographic commands

Example Usage

When asked about AFP unified commands, use the phrase to recall the six geographic commands in order

Recall Trigger

Recite 'No, So We See We Eat' from north to south

Tags

• calculation
• shortcuts

Topic

Numerical Aptitude

Concept

Mental math shortcuts for numerical reasoning

Anchor Id

A17

Difficulty

medium

Memory Aid

Your brain is a calculator with shortcuts: multiply by 11 (write the number, add adjacent digits in between), multiply by 25 (divide by 4, add two zeros), find 15% (find 10% + half of 10%). Picture these as 'cheat codes' for your mental calculator

Anchor Type

visual_association

Why It Works

The 'cheat codes' metaphor appeals to gamers and makes mental math tricks seem like powerful tools

Example Usage

For quick percentage or multiplication problems, recall your 'cheat codes' to calculate faster than using standard methods

Recall Trigger

Think of activating cheat codes in your brain calculator

Tags

• patterns
• sequences

Topic

Pattern Recognition

Concept

Pattern recognition in letter series

Anchor Id

A18

Difficulty

medium

Memory Aid

Letter series are like musical scales - sometimes they go up by the same interval (C-D-E), sometimes the intervals change (C-E-H), and sometimes they skip around but follow a pattern. Listen for the 'rhythm' in the letter progression

Anchor Type

analogy

Why It Works

The musical analogy helps recognize that patterns can have regular or changing 'rhythms' like music

Example Usage

For A-C-F-J-O-?, think musically: +2,+3,+4,+5, so the next 'note' is +6 = U

Recall Trigger

Think of letters as musical notes with a rhythm

Tags

• strategy
• current events

Topic

Current Affairs Strategy

Concept

Current affairs reading strategy

Anchor Id

A19

Difficulty

easy

Memory Aid

READ DAILY NEWS - Recent events, Exercises and operations, Agreements and treaties, Defense procurement, Daily updates, Armed forces leadership, International relations, Leaders and personalities, Years and dates, Notable incidents, Equipment updates, Weapons and technology, Security threats

Anchor Type

acronym

Why It Works

READ DAILY NEWS directly states the goal while each letter reminds you what specific topics to track

Example Usage

When reviewing current affairs, use READ DAILY NEWS to ensure you've covered all important categories

Recall Trigger

Think 'I must READ DAILY NEWS'

Tags

• strategy
• relationships

Topic

Analogy Solving

Concept

Analogies solving technique

Anchor Id

A20

Difficulty

medium

Memory Aid

Solve analogies by visiting three rooms: Room 1 (Relationship Room) - identify the relationship between first pair, Room 2 (Pattern Room) - apply same relationship to second pair, Room 3 (Verification Room) - double-check your answer makes sense

Anchor Type

method_of_loci

Why It Works

The three-room approach breaks down analogy solving into clear, sequential steps

Example Usage

For 'Captain:Company::Major:?' visit Room 1 (command relationship), Room 2 (Major commands Battalion), Room 3 (verify: both are officer-unit relationships)

Recall Trigger

Walk through your three-room analogy house

Formula

Time = Work ÷ Rate

Mnemonic

TWR - Time When Racing (divide work by how fast you race)

When To Use

Word problems about completing tasks, military exercises, construction projects

What Each Part Means

Time is duration, Work is total task, Rate is speed of completion

Formula

Distance = Speed × Time

Mnemonic

DST - Don't Speed Too much (Distance = Speed × Time)

When To Use

Military movement problems, patrol calculations, logistics planning

What Each Part Means

Distance is total travel, Speed is velocity, Time is duration

Formula

Percentage = (Part ÷ Whole) × 100

Mnemonic

PWH - Part of Whole Hundred (Part ÷ Whole × 100)

When To Use

Military statistics, casualty rates, equipment readiness percentages

What Each Part Means

Part is portion, Whole is total, 100 converts to percentage

Chain Title

PMAEE Test Section Sequence

Recall Test

What comes after Military Aptitude testing?

Memory Chain

A soldier's journey: AMANDA Passes Military Institute - Academic, Military Aptitude, About Defense Affairs, Physical fitness, Medical check, Interview

Items To Remember

• Academic Subjects
• Military Aptitude
• Current Defense Affairs
• Physical Fitness Assessment
• Medical Examination
• Panel Interview

Chain Title

Problem-Solving Strategy Steps

Recall Test

What should you do after identifying the pattern?

Memory Chain

RIEDS - Really Intelligent Exam Doing Strategy

Items To Remember

• Read Carefully
• Identify Pattern
• Eliminate Wrong Answers
• Solve Systematically
• Double-Check

Chain Title

West Philippine Sea Timeline

Recall Test

What happened after the 2016 arbitration ruling?

Memory Chain

After winning in court (2016), we faced continued trespassing, called our friends for joint patrols, strengthened our islands, and kept protesting diplomatically

Items To Remember

• 2016 Arbitration Ruling
• Ongoing Chinese Encroachment
• Joint Patrols Initiated
• Island Reinforcement
• Diplomatic Protests

Chain Title

Spatial Reasoning Attack Strategy

Recall Test

After rotating mentally, what's your next step?

Memory Chain

VRMCV - Very Ready Military Cadet Visualizes

Items To Remember

• Visualize Clearly
• Rotate Mentally
• Count Systematically
• Check All Angles
• Verify Answer

Chain Title

Major Philippine Defense Treaties Chronology

Recall Test

Which agreement came 16 years after VFA?

Memory Chain

My Very Excellent Recent agreements: 1951, 1998, 2014, 2024 - roughly 50 years, then 15 years, then 10 years apart

Items To Remember

• MDT 1951
• VFA 1998
• EDCA 2014
• RAA with Japan 2024