Multiple choice tests are used everywhere, from theory exams for driving licenses to university entrance tests and even for some job applications; it is therefore essential to be able to overcome them. In theory, it seems easy to choose the correct answer from four or five possibilities, but in reality it is a rather challenging process; in some cases we are not faced with questions, but with statements, incomplete sentences or problems to be solved. To all this you have to add the pressure of the passing of time, the task is therefore really difficult. To pass this kind of exams you must have an excellent knowledge of the program of the subject in question, strategic and tactical intelligence. By learning these techniques and tools, you can enjoy the confidence to pass a multiple choice test.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Preparation
Step 1. Run exam mockups to learn how to manage time
If the test has thirty questions and you have an hour, you know you must have answered the fifteenth question within half an hour to be able to keep up the pace. When practicing with simulations, try to recreate the exam conditions as closely as possible; close your textbooks, turn off the music and get away from any distraction.
- If you have difficulty with these exercises, talk to the teacher and ask him for advice on "getting back on track".
- Leverage the teacher's knowledge and experience; for years he could see people pass and fail these tests; ask if he has any suggestions for you, he is an expert, try to take advantage of them!
- Multiple choice tests often have two very similar answers, so you need to focus on the key concepts. Knowing what the topics to study for the exam are allows you to engage your intellectual resources in a targeted manner and maximize the result.
- Manage the time to have a few minutes at the end of the exam to review the answers and make sure they are written correctly on the test sheet.
Step 2. Establish a strategy for the questions you cannot answer
Is it better to leave them blank or "throw yourself" with a random answer? The best option depends on the scoring regulation of the specific exam. Sometimes you have the chance to score a point thanks to a random answer (assuming it is correct), but in other exams there is a penalty of a point or a fraction of a point for each error; in the latter case, marking any option is not a good technique, as it can lower the final grade. Deciding in advance how to deal with these eventualities saves time during the test.
- Ask the teacher or his assistant what the rules for scoring are.
- Make the best decision based on the type of test and remind yourself which strategy you have decided before entering the classroom.
- In exams where you can only lose a fraction of a point for a mistake, but earn a full point for each correct answer, it is worth trying to guess the solution, especially if you can eliminate some clearly wrong options.
Step 3. Practice a method for managing anxiety
Know what are the tactics that increase your confidence and what are the stimuli that break it down; this awareness allows you to seek and take advantage of the best relaxation techniques that are effective for you. Learning to manage stress is the best way to be successful in situations under pressure.
- Use online resources to identify, address, reduce anxiety levels, manage them during exams, and minimize stress with exercise.
- These emotions assail anyone who faces a test, but giving in to them means having to face two problems instead of just one.
Part 2 of 3: Responding Strategically
Step 1. Read the questions carefully
When the clock is ticking, it can be tempting to answer hastily, but it is extremely important to dedicate the right amount of time to each question to interpret it correctly; this way, you really save precious minutes when choosing the answer. The statement of the problem provides a lot of information, so read it carefully; try to think what the correct solution might be even before reading those proposals.
- Cover the solutions as you read the question, so you can reflect without distraction.
- Read all the proposals. Perhaps the "B" might be right, but remember that you may be faced with a list of correct solutions, so option "D" which says "all above" is the only option you need to select.
Step 2. Skip the difficult questions to address them later
If you are unable to answer a question within the time limit you have calculated, move on to the next one and work towards solving it later; put a clear sign next to the problems you left blank in order to be able to easily find them in the control phase.
- Stay alert during the exam for clues to help you answer questions you are unsure about.
- Set up time to have a few minutes at the end of the exam to review the issues you have doubts about.
- Remember not to fill in the answer line of the questions you skip, especially if you are using a machine-readable answer form; you certainly don't want to end up with a series of wrong answers just because you got confused by ticking the wrong boxes.
Step 3. Search for keywords
Underline or circle the most important words in the question. These prove to be incredibly useful tools for finding the right answer. Observe these details in the various options proposed; the correct one must satisfy every part of the sentence, so pay attention to negatives ("not", "nobody", "neither … nor"), superlatives ("most", "the best") and adverbs (" usually "," often "," generally "," maybe ").
- Check the negative questions carefully as they may confuse and mislead you.
- The terms "no", "nobody", "never … never" can turn a true statement into a false one.
Step 4. Avoid absolute terms
Be wary of statements that contain words such as "always", "never …" or "all"; to be true there must be no minimal alternative. Look for options that say "all of the above" or "none of the above".
- If you know that there is more than one correct or wrong answer, the solution could be just these kinds of statements.
- If any of the options seem completely out of place, it likely is because it is not relevant to the matter.
Step 5. Check the answers whose grammar does not match that of the question
Mark all these options with a cross; sometimes you can find the correct one by paying attention to the tenses and comparing them with the endings of the various solutions.
- If the question requires the answer to be formulated in the past tense, but only one is in agreement and the others are all expressed in the present, this option is likely to be the correct one.
- If the statement ends with "a" or "a" it is obvious that the first word of the answer must agree with this article.
Step 6. Apply the deletion process
Exclude options that are clearly false. This means exploiting logic to discard those statements that do not make sense or that do not completely satisfy the question; working on two or three possible solutions instead of four greatly increases the chances of success.
- Treat each answer as a true or false statement. Tick any option that is not true; for example, if you know for sure that solution "D" is false, delete it.
- Look for pairs, two answers that contradict each other or that are identical except for one term. This tactic is often used by test takers to "skim" those who know the subject well from students who barely understand it. Within these couples, one solution may be right, while the other is only intended to distract you.
Step 7. Consider riskier tactics
In the corridors of all the schools different "legends" take shape, tricks to pass the multiple choice tests; however, if you have decided to gamble your answers, you should rely on studies that have analyzed the statistical probabilities of certain patterns appearing in solutions.
- Try to choose the longer answer; it is more likely to be right because the teacher has inserted qualifying adjectives.
- Ignore the rule that you should never change your first answer; take advantage of your reasoning skills by analyzing on a case-by-case basis to decide whether or not you should switch options.
Part 3 of 3: Check the Test
Step 1. Review the questions you skipped
Once you have the tactics in place to answer as many questions as possible, it is time to rely on the strategy you had planned. You have read all the information provided and can leverage your knowledge to spend the advanced time reviewing the test with a new approach.
- Reflect on the other questions, perhaps you have caught some clues or the other questions have refreshed your memory.
- Apply your chosen strategy, whether it's to leave the answers blank or give it a casual try.
Step 2. Check your work
Pay close attention as you fill out the answer sheet. By ticking the wrong box you trigger a "domino effect" with the result that not only this solution is wrong, but also all subsequent ones. To prevent this from happening, please report the solutions on the appropriate form in one go after you have answered all the questions.
Check that you have filled in the appropriate spaces. If you have decided to leave one answer blank, make sure you tick the right box for the next one
Step 3. Erase the accidental marks
Remove any random traces or notes that might confuse the person who will be checking your exam. If you are using a machine-readable form, please black out each box well and carefully erase the marks that should not be detected.
Advice
- Bring something with you to help you relax, such as a lucky charm, water or candy; whatever works for you turns out to be real support.
- Wear multiple layers of soft, comfortable clothing that you can put on and take off as needed; in doing so, there is nothing to distract you and being comfortable allows you to focus on the important things.
- As soon as you are given the test, check that it is complete and that the instructions are clear; if you have any doubts, ask the teacher.
- Apparently funny or silly answers are usually wrong.
- Take breaks; stretch your limbs, look out the window or check your watch. Stopping for a few moments allows you to keep your concentration high and helps you not to lose track of time.
- Don't think about it too much, take each question for what it is; remember that one of the answers is certainly correct.
- Do not get distracted by the repetitive patterns of the answers (for example you have chosen 5 consecutive "C" answers), otherwise you start to think too much; these situations have no meaning and you don't have to worry.
Warnings
- Don't spend too much time on just any question; there are other questions in which it becomes more profitable to invest the time for the elimination process.
- Ignore the "school legends" that the correct answer is always "B" or "C"; While it is true that some teachers subconsciously hide the right answer in the center, there are other teachers who deliberately avoid this pattern.
