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.

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