Strategies for Multiple-Choice Exams
How to read multiple-choice questions carefully, eliminate options, and manage time.
Multiple-choice questions test recognition and reasoning at the same time. A few habits reduce careless errors without any need for tricks.
Read the question before the options
Cover the answers and try to form your own answer first. When you then look at the options, you are less likely to be pulled toward a plausible but wrong choice.
Watch for qualifying words
Words such as not, except, always, never, only and most likely change the meaning of the question. Underline them. A statement can be true in general yet wrong because it says "always".
Eliminate, then decide
If you cannot see the answer, remove options you know are wrong. Even removing one improves your odds if you must guess. Check whether your exam penalises wrong answers. Many do not, but you should read the instructions to be sure.
Check each option against the question
An option can be true but not answer the question asked. For example, a question asking for the cause of an event may list a true effect as a distractor.
Calculations
Do the calculation before looking at the options, then find your result. If your result is not listed, recheck units and arithmetic. Common distractors come from typical mistakes: forgetting to convert units, mixing up addition and multiplication, or rounding too early.
Manage time
Give each question an approximate time. If one is taking too long, mark it, choose a provisional answer and move on. Return at the end if time remains.
Changing answers
Change an answer if you find a specific reason it is wrong, such as a misread word or an arithmetic slip. Avoid changing answers only because of a vague worry.
Quick recap
Form your own answer first, underline qualifiers, eliminate wrong options, check that your choice answers the exact question, and pace yourself.