One of the scariest parts of high school is taking tests, as you are put on the spot to see how much you know. Almost every single test you take will consist of a multiple-choice section. Although most people think that multiple-choice is the easiest part of a test, it is actually one of the hardest. However, if you follow these tips, it will make your tests a lot easier and less scary.
1. Read the entire question
Read a multi-choice question in its entirety before glancing over the answer options. Students often think they know what a question is asking before reading it and jump straight to the most logical answer. This is a big mistake that can cost you dearly on multiple-choice exams. Read each question thoroughly before reviewing the answer options.
2. 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.
3. Use the process of elimination
Using 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 greatly increases your likelihood of selecting the correct answer.
Eliminate answer options that you're 100 percent sure are incorrect before selecting an answer. Even when you believe you know the right answer, eliminating the answers you know are incorrect will ensure your answer choice is the correct one.
4. Select the best answers
It's important to select the best answer to the question being asked, not just an answer that seems correct. Often, many answers will seem correct, but there is typically a best answer to the question that your professor is looking for.
5. Read every answer option
Read every answer option prior to choosing a final answer. This may seem like a no-brainer to some, but it is a common mistake students make. As we pointed out in the previous section, there is usually a best answer to every multiple-choice question. If you quickly assume you know the correct answer without first reading every answer option, you may end up selecting the wrong one.
6. Answer the question you know first
If you're having difficulty answering a question, move on and come back to tackle it once you've answered all the questions you know. Sometimes, answering easier questions first can offer you insight into answering more challenging questions.
7. Make an educated guess
If it will not count against your score, make an educated guess for any question you're unsure about. (Note: On some standardized tests incorrect answers are penalized. For example, a correct answer may be worth 2 points, an unanswered question 0 points, and an incorrect answer -1 points. On these tests, you can still make an educated guess, but only when you're able to eliminate at least one or two incorrect answers.)
8. Pay attention to these words
Pay close attention to the words “not, sometimes, always,” and “never”. An answer that includes “always” must be irrefutable. If you can find a single counterexample, then the answer is incorrect. The same holds true for the word “never”. If an answer option includes never a single counterexample indicates the answer is not correct.
9. It's usually best to stick with your first choice--but not always.
It is best to stick with the answer you first chose after reading the question. It is usually counterproductive to constantly second guess yourself and change your answer. However, this doesn't mean your first answer choice is necessarily the correct one.
Multiple-choice tests aren't usually intentionally designed to trick or confuse students, they are designed to test students' knowledge and ability. To this end, the answer options provided will often include the most common wrong answer among the choices or answers that seem logical but are ultimately incorrect, or the best answer.
10. "All of the above" and "None of the above"
When you encounter "All of the above" and "None of the above" answer choices, do not select "All of the above" if you are certain that one of the answers provided is incorrect. The same applies for "None of the above" if you are confident that at least one of the answer choices is true.
11. The more information... the better.
More often than not, the correct answer usually contains more information than the other options. This is good to know if you must guess.
Remember to follow these tips and you will surely ace your multiple-choice section on your next test.
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Abbi Kamalesan is a tenth-grade student from Ontario, Canada. She likes to spend her free time volunteering with various organizations and spending time with her family and friends. Abbi is hoping to pursue a future career in business.
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