Master the Multiple Choice Test
Are you preparing for a multiple choice test or exam?
If so, keep reading.
Top Tips for Multiple Choice tests:
wear a watch. The clock in the room may not be in your view. And worse, it could be broken!
scan the entire test before you begin to solve problems. Get a feel for the job ahead.
read the question carefully, covering the answer choices. Try to answer the question in your head before you look at the answers.
read all of the answers before you choose one.
when you don’t know the answer to a question, eliminate the wrong answers to discover the right answer.
use the test page or booklet for note-making and rough work. Don’t do the work in your head.
underline key words.for the most part, give your time and attention to problems you think you can answer accurately.
keep an eye on the time/clock. Pace the test according to the questions’ difficulty.if you have a bubble answer page, mark your answers carefully on it. Make sure also to circle your answer selection in your test booklet. If you skip a question, make sure to skip the answer bubble on your answer sheet.
be wary of “easy” answer choices.
be careful of “good” answer choices versus “the best” answer. Test writers often include answer choices that can work (good answers), but they are not the best. Choose carefully.
answer all of the easy problems first, then tackle the harder ones.
“yellow light” questions (a.k.a. “proceed with caution” questions) include words such as: always, never, sometimes, not, and except. Choose your answer carefully, reread the question and answer choices, and cross out the incorrect options.
when you see “all of the above” as an answer choice, and there is another answer that works, the correct answer is likely “all of the above.”
when you’re stuck, if you invest enough time to read and think about the answer to a question, you should be able to eliminate at least one choice. This will increase your odds of getting the answer correct!
in the process of elimination, if you don’t know the answer: PICK C or D. Statistically, test writers use these letters more commonly than the others for the correct answer. This strategy is a last resort
some multiple choice tests have a guessing penalty. Contact me for the scoop on the guessing strategy. It can be tricky and requires extra attention.
if your test doesn’t have the guessing penalty, make sure to answer every question on a multiple choice test, even if you have to guess!
On your journey through school, you’ll take many multiple choice tests. It’s a skill. Learn this skill, and you’ll achieve great success.
You can do it!
For tips on writing a math test, check out my blog post.
If you have a test or exam coming up, review this list of “night before” suggestions on my blog.