Exam with Multiple Choice Questions

Remember these test-taking strategy secrets about multiple choice tests that your professor may not want you to know.

    * More often than not, the correct answer is B or C. This isn't always true, of course, but test writers are most likely to gravitate towards one of these answers.

    * If there is an "all of the above" option, chances are high that's the answer. If you know more than one answer is correct, there's a very good chance it's "all of the above."

    * "None of the above" is usually wrong. This isn't always the case, but test writers often throw that in because they've run out of ideas.

    * Has everyone ever told you that "the first thing you think of is probably right?" and that you shouldn't change your answers? This is not true.

    * If you don't know the answer, always guess. Why wouldn't you?

    * You can often rule out answers that contain generalization terms, like "always" or "never." Answers that contains words like "usually" or "mostly" are more likely to be correct.

    * Don't worry about the pattern of the answers. If you answer B to four questions in a row, you might be right.

    * Don't spend too much time on each question, especially if there are essay questions in the test as well. Essay questions take longer, and students usually do better on them.

    * Ask your professor ahead of time for sample multiple choice questions from a previous test, to give you an idea of what to expect. Most professors don't mind.