Multiple-choice Test strategies
First you need to do your homework and study. However, once that’s done, these strategies can help you do your best on multiple-choice.
· Read the directions carefully
- Know if each question has one or more correct option
- Know if you are penalized for guessing
- Know how much time is allowed (this governs your strategy)
· Preview the test
- Read through the test quickly and answer the easiest questions first
- Mark those you think you know in some way that is appropriate
· Read through the test a second time and answer more difficult questions
- You may pick up cues for answers from the first reading, or become more comfortable in the testing situation
· If time allows, review both questions and answers
- It is possible you mis-read questions the first time
Cover the options, read the question, and try to answer
o Select the option that most closely matches your answer
Read the question with each option
o Treat each option as a true-false question, and choose the "most true"
Strategies for answering difficult questions:
- Eliminate options you know to be incorrect
- Give each option of a question the "true-false test:"
- Question options that grammatically don't fit with the question
- Question options that are totally unfamiliar to you
- Question options that contain negative or absolute words.
For example, frequently for always; or typical for every to see if you can eliminate an option
- "All of the above:"
- ***Number answers:
- ***"Look alike options"
*** Note the two above strategies are based on the way most multiple choice tests are written. They should only be used if you REALLY DON"T KNOW.
- Double negatives:
- Echo options:
- Favor options that contain qualifiers
- If two alternatives seem correct,
Guessing:
- Always guess when there is no penalty for guessing or you can eliminate options
- Don't guess if you are penalized for guessing and if you have no basis for your choice
- Use hints from questions you know to answer questions you do not.
- Change your first answers when you are sure of the correction, or other cues in the test cue you to change.
- Remember that you are looking for the best answer; not only a correct one, and not one which must be true all of the time, in all cases, and without exception.