When answering multiple choice questions:
- Read the directions – is there a penalty for guessing?
- Read the question carefully to see if there are any clues.
- Try to answer the question without looking at any of the options first.
- Read all the options, even if you think you know the answer.
- Cross out options you know are wrong.
- Think about each option, one at a time, and ask yourself if it is true or false.
- Think about whether the options refer to something you studied in the course.
- Watch for negatives, extremes, and qualifiers (always, never, only, etc.) as they might give you a clue to the answer.
- Silly options are usually wrong.
- Watch for combination options like "all of the above" or "none of the above". Consider each option individually before choosing a combination option.
- Make a note of questions you don’t get on the first read through so that you can come back to them.
- Work quickly.
- Return to marked questions. Later questions in the test may give you tips to the answer.
- When in doubt, and if it's permitted, guess. Don't leave a question blank.
(Source: Roberta Mason, RRU)
