Exam Strategies | Learning Resources

Multiple Choice Test Tips

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1. Start with the Main Question

  • Read carefully.
  • Look for qualifiers (often, usually, sometimes), modifiers (always or never), or
    negatives (not, none, un-, dis-).
  • Underline these and key words.
  • Note in the margins what you think may be the correct answer based on your understanding of the question.

 

2. Read the Answer Choices

  • Read carefully. Look for qualifiers, modifiers, and negatives.
  • Look for the BEST answer - your choice may be true, but is it the truest of the options?
  • Eliminate incorrect answers. Look for: similar answers, overstatements (always, never), and grammatically incorrect choices. You can find these by plugging them into the main question.

three arrows pointing different directions question mark in circle above color green Stuck?

Mark the problem and move on.

Sometimes you can answer the question later, after you see the rest of the test.

Don't forget to go back to each problem you have skipped!

icons x and check with mouse pointer  To Guess, or Not

Know how the test will be graded before you guess answers.

On some tests you might lose more points if you choose the wrong answer. In that case ,if you're guessing it can be better to not answer the question at all.