CDASA Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield CDASA facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. In threat assessment, 'opportunity' as a factor means the adversary has: → Access or a viable attack vector to reach the target
2. When providing intelligence support to a commander during a time-sensitive targeting cycle, what is the analyst's primary responsibility? → Providing accurate and timely target intelligence to enable informed decisions
3. What is the purpose of a 'Red Cell' in operational intelligence support? → A group that adopts the adversary's perspective to challenge friendly planning assumptions
4. Which concept describes a state's effort to dominate its immediate geographic surroundings? → Regional hegemony
5. Which principle states that intelligence products must reach the right decision-maker at the right time to be useful? → Timeliness
6. What analytical product provides a structured, long-term assessment of an adversary's capabilities, vulnerabilities, and likely courses of action? → Intelligence Estimate
7. What is the significance of documentation in Report Writing? → It provides a record for accountability, quality assurance, and legal compliance
8. In the context of threat assessment, what does "vulnerability" refer to? → The weaknesses or gaps in defense systems that could be exploited by threats
9. What is the most important foundational concept in Threat Assessment? → Understanding core principles and their practical application in Threat Assessment
10. What does the intelligence term 'INT' refer to? → A specific intelligence discipline or collection method
11. In all-source fusion, what is a 'data gap'? → Missing intelligence needed to answer a critical information requirement
12. Which principle holds that risk management decisions should be proportional to the assessed level of threat and the value of the asset at risk? → Proportionality principle
13. What is the main goal of evaluating operational efficiency in defense operations? → To improve the performance and effectiveness of defense operations
14. What role does continuing education play in Threat Assessment? → Keeping practitioners current with evolving best practices and new developments
15. Which threat category encompasses non-state actors motivated primarily by ideological or political goals rather than financial gain? → Hacktivists
16. What is the primary purpose of standardized procedures in Intelligence Analysis Methods? → To ensure consistency, safety, and quality across all practitioners
17. Which concept describes a weaker state aligning with a stronger power to guarantee its security? → Bandwagoning
18. Which method involves systematically identifying what could go wrong and the consequences of each failure in a system or plan? → Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA)
19. Which intelligence product is most useful for alerting commanders to unexpected changes in enemy disposition or activity? → Intelligence Situation Report (INTREP)
20. Which analytical technique involves identifying patterns and correlations in data to predict future events? → Predictive Analysis
21. The 'likelihood' component of risk is most accurately defined as: → The probability that a threat will exploit a vulnerability
22. What is a 'flashpoint' in regional geopolitical analysis? → A location or issue with a high potential to trigger armed conflict or rapid escalation
23. In CI planning, 'operational security' (OPSEC) primarily aims to accomplish which objective? → Deny adversaries information about friendly intentions, capabilities, and activities
24. In all-source analysis, what does the term 'corroboration' mean? → Two or more independent sources confirm the same information
25. What analytical standard requires that intelligence assessments clearly distinguish between facts, assumptions, and judgments? → Analytical tradecraft standards
26. What is the primary role of strategic planning in defense operations? → To develop long-term plans and objectives for achieving national security goals
27. What quality metrics are most important in Intelligence Analysis Methods? → Measurable outcomes, process compliance, and stakeholder satisfaction
28. Which analytic product format is used to integrate all-source assessments at the national level in the US? → National Intelligence Estimate (NIE)
29. A senior policymaker tells an analyst to 'find evidence' supporting a predetermined conclusion. The analyst should: → Decline and report the incident through appropriate channels as potential politicization
30. What is the significance of documentation in Source Evaluation? → It provides a record for accountability, quality assurance, and legal compliance