Read a multiple choice question in its entirety before glancing over the answer options. While this may seem like common sense, it’s helpful to remember when you’re under a time crunch or are sure you know the answer despite not having read the entire question.
Answer it in your mind first
After reading a question, answer it in your mind before reviewing the answer options. This will help prevent you from talking yourself out of the correct answer.
Use the process of elimination
Cross out all the answers you know are incorrect, then focus on the remaining answers. Not only does this strategy save time, it increases your likelihood of selecting the correct answer.
Use the true or false test
If you’re unsure of the answer options for a question, give each one a true or false test. Cross out the false answers first before identifying the correct answer.
Look for answers hidden in questions
Sometimes, answers are hidden right in the question! This is another reason it’s important to read the question thoroughly before answering it.
Answer the questions you know first
If you get stuck on a question, move on to the next one. Answer all the questions you’re confident about first before going back to the ones you’re unsure of. This can save you time and some pressure!
Know when to avoid selecting "All of the above" or "None of the above"
When you encounter an "All of the above" answer choice, do not select it if you are pretty sure that one or more of the other answer choices provided is incorrect. The same applies for "None of the above" if you are confident that at least one of the answer choices is correct.
Keep an eye on the clock
While it’s important to do your best to answer questions correctly, it’s just as important to make sure you answer all of them within your allotted time. Before your next multiple choice exam, practice your time management skills to make sure you’re ready to go.
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FAQs
Answer the question without looking at the options
Coming up with the answer yourself will help you identify what the correct option should say. Compare your answer to the options. Look for the same ideas and key terms.
What is the trick of answering multiple-choice questions? ›
Answer the question without looking at the options
Coming up with the answer yourself will help you identify what the correct option should say. Compare your answer to the options. Look for the same ideas and key terms.
What is a good strategy for answering a multiple choice question? ›
Read the questions carefully: twice if necessary. Avoid jumping to conclusions about what you think the question asks. Circle or underline key words in questions. Multiple choice tests examine your ability to read carefully and thoughtfully as much as they test your ability to recall and reason.
Is C usually the correct answer? ›
Myth 2: C is the best guess letter and is right more often than any other letter. C or H are right (and wrong) as often as any other answer choice. The only guess letter you don't want to use when you are completely guessing is E or K because they only show up on the math test.
What is the best answer to guess on a multiple choice test? ›
The best strategy, and the one that will maximize your overall point gain, is to pick your favorite letter and fill it in for every blind guess. Maybe that letter is A/F or B/G — it doesn't matter. Just be sure to stick with it every single time.
How do you outsmart a multiple choice test? ›
Look for Clue Words and Numbers
question and the correct answer often have verbs of the same tense and have nouns and verbs that agree. Underline familiar words or phrases from the lecture or textbook. Be aware of degrees of correctness. With numbers one choice is usually too small or too large.
How to best answer multiple-choice questions? ›
How to ace multiple choice tests
- Read very carefully. Take the time to carefully read each question and answer choice. ...
- Come up with your own answer. ...
- Look for common types of wrong answers. ...
- Eliminate answers in two rounds. ...
- Do not obsess over your choices. ...
- Manage your time. ...
- Answer every question.
Study regularly leading up to the exam, and try to organize your notes in a way that makes them easier to remember. Making flash cards, using mnemonic devices such as acronyms, drawing concept maps, or whatever suits your learning style and can help you learn more efficiently.
What is one strategy to remember when answering a multiple choice question? ›
"Read the question many times." This strategy is important because it allows you to fully understand the question and its requirements before formulating an answer. By reading the question more than once, you can make sure you understand it, pick out key details, and don't miss or misunderstand important information.
What is the pattern of multiple choice questions? ›
A multiple-choice question (MCQ) is composed of two parts: a stem that identifies the question or problem, and a set of alternatives or possible answers that contain a key that is the best answer to the question, and a number of distractors that are plausible but incorrect answers to the question.
Each answer point's percentage is calculated individually. To calculate the percentage of an answer, divide the number of responses to that point by the total number of responses to this Multiple-choice question and multiply by 100 (to reach the percentage).
How do you score multiple choice questions? ›
4 common scoring mechanisms for multiple-choice
- Positive marking. Positive marking rewards each correct answer with a point. Unanswered questions and wrong answers do not score anything. ...
- Negative marking. Negative marking penalises wrong answers with negative scores. This principle is called correction for guessing.
I'm sure you've heard this at some point “if you don't know the answer, always guess C. because it's the most common correct option”. That's just a myth, and generally there are no most common answers on multiple choice tests.
What is the most common letter answer in multiple choice? ›
However, the most general assumption is often that 'C' is the correct answer, due to which it can be called the most popular multiple choice answer.
What percent of multiple choice answers are C? ›
What to Guess
| Correct Answer | Percent |
|---|
| A | 22.3 |
| B | 26.7 |
| C | 25.3 |
| D | 25.7 |
Use effective strategies to write the exam
- Read the question carefully, before looking at the choices: Note key terms or concepts. ...
- If you are having trouble understanding a question, try to rephrase it in your own words. Read the alternatives carefully. ...
- Answer the question. ...
- Review your answers.
Study regularly leading up to the exam, and try to organize your notes in a way that makes them easier to remember. Making flash cards, using mnemonic devices such as acronyms, drawing concept maps, or whatever suits your learning style and can help you learn more efficiently.
