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Winning the Guessing Game: How to Take Multiple-Choice

Tests

Multiple Choice Test Tips

When I go to school:

a) I am never tired or bored.b) I am often tired or bored.c) I am usually tired or bored.d) I am always tired or bored.

1. Eliminate extreme answer choices

When approaching a multiple choice test, eliminate any answers that seem too extreme

Underline words in the answer choices such as “always,” “never,” or “all” and “none”

Sometimes answers with these words in them can be right, but for the most part, your answer is going to fall somewhere in the middle range, so you can get rid of the extremes

Think back to the previous example…

2. Clearly eliminate wrong answer choices by crossing them out

When taking a multiple choice test, physically cross out answers you know are wrong so you can focus on the choices you have left

This easy tip allows you to avoid choose answers you’ve already rejected

Each of the following is an example of wasted time EXCEPT:

a) Playing video games

b) Studying for mathc) Watching Fear the

Walking Deadd) Listening to the

entire playlist on your iPod

3. Consider which choice is different

Be sure to read the directions for a question You have to make sure you recognize which

answer choices are different from the rest Looking at the previous example, only one

answer is completely different from the rest On some questions, all you have to do is find

the one answer choice that is different than the others (even if you don’t know the material)

Consider the next question

Herbert Hoover was criticized for all of the following EXCEPT:

a) Unemployment rose from 1930-1931

b) Business leaders did little to solve the nation’s economic crisis

c) The stock market continued to fall during his presidency

d) More people received jobs on construction projects

Looking at the question:

You don’t need to know anything about Hoover to know the answer

Notice that choices A, B, and C involve things that couldn’t possibly make people happy

Only D involves something positive (this is something he would have been praised for, not criticized for)

4. Read the questions and choices carefully

Many students get anxious during multiple choice tests and don’t read carefully

Sometimes you can find answers to your current problem in other questions on the test

As your go through questions, use your pencil to underline key words that the question is asking

Let’s do some more example questions…

Why was JFK a popular U.S. president?

a) He was involved in the Cuban Missile Crisis

b) He started a program that helped American’s youth fight poverty

c) He won the election of 1960 by a very narrow margin

d) He was from Massachusetts

If two sides of a four-sided figure are parallel but the other two sides are not, that figure is a:

a) Triangleb) Trapezoidc) Perpendiculard) Parallelogram

All of the following are Greek letters EXCEPT:

a) Epsilonb) Deltac) Pid) Summary

What is true about the election of 1960?

a) John F. Kennedy won by a landslideb) Richard Nixon won the electionc) John F. Kennedy won by a narrow margind) Jimmy Carter won the election

In the story you read, what is true about the main character Elizabeth, in relation to her love interest Mr. Darcy?

a) She is always angry with Mr. Darcyb) She is often angry with Mr. Darcyc) She is never angry with Mr. Darcyd) She has no concern for Mr. Darcy

Pacing

It’s very important when taking practice tests that you take entire practice tests at one sitting. (Don’t work on it, take a break, and then continue it later)

Keep the conditions ideal

Also, don’t get hung up on any one questions

Guessing

Find out how each test is scored Ex. SAT only takes off ¼ point for each wrong answer

This means that if you can get at least two wrong answers removed, guessing is your best bet.

Work quickly in areas where you feel confident and move on from areas you don’t know.

Recovering Staying Calm and Not Rushing

Put your pencil down after each problemUnderline important parts to slow down your

mind and concentrate on the materialUnderline/circle important words such as

“EXCEPT”Take a deep breath when frustration sets inStretch during breaks and take snacks that

are energy-sustaining (yogurt, granola bars, etc.)