How to score maximum in multiple choice tests

August 14, 2013

Entrance exams are much different than board exams. Many of them are multiple choice type tests. These tests demand a special method of preparation that is much different than essay exams. These kinds of tests do not check only the basic knowledge of a student, but also understanding and capability of student to apply that knowledge as well.

These tests demand a student to choose an appropriate answer from a group of choices that include 3 or 4 wrong answers known as distracters (As they look like a correct one apparently). So these tests require a special care while attempting them otherwise they can create problems for students, even a well-prepared student who comes up with details of topics can make silly mistakes and become the victim to distracters that look very similar to correct answers.

Here are some Suggestions to avoid these problems and solve these kinds of tests effectively:

1) Execute your time well:

Time management is the key factor in multiple choice questions tests. You can handle your given time successfully by focusing on right things. Take a view of whole test before you begin (just a glimpse so that your mind might be able to intercept important information and calculations). Quickly plan how rapidly you must solve the items in order to finish the test and still get 10 minutes for a review. For example, in case of University of Engineering and Technology (UET) test (known as ECAT), you have to solve 100 questions in 80 minutes then you have almost 43 seconds per answer. Lesser time than this might be there for the other exams.

2) Read Question carefully:

Read whole item carefully and assure yourself that you did not overlook any part of question. Do not Jump to the answer after reading a part of question.

3) Answer in your mind before looking at the choices:

After reading the question stem, produce its answer from your memory on your own. After that, look out responses and find your required choice then take pointer over it and make sure that none of other responses is better than this. After that, fill the circle.

4) Look through all of the questions:

Do not solve/Attempt all the questions in the first sight. Answer the questions you feel comfortable with and leave the difficult ones for another section. You need to know how to skip questions, because sometimes you find an answer of an early question after reading the question in the later part of your paper. Best attempts are made by those students who handle to read through the entire paper.

5) Keep yourself Calm during the test:

Keep yourself calm during the test by avoiding to get stuck at questions that take long time to solve. Leave them for the end and solve the easy one to maintain your calm.

6) Be Positive:

Go with a positive approach, there is much greater possibility for a positive choice to be correct than a negative one i.e. “none of these” is less likely to be true.

Tip: If you find funny response, neglect it.

7) Be Technical:

Favor technically correct and complete answer. For example use “All of above” if more than one choice is right and does not use “None of above” if at least one answer is meet the demands. Afterward if you are not sure about the answer, start elimination of choices that are wrong and you will come to the correct choice.

Tip: Responses that contain absolute words such as “Always” or “Never” are less likely to be correct than ones that contains conditional words like “Usually” or “Probably”.

8) Check Question Grammatically:

In these kinds of tests it is very advantageous to you if you know English grammar well. Check the stem grammatically if it is hard to find the correct choice. For example, if the statement ends with the indefinite article i.e. “an” then the correct response possibly begins with a vowel.

Tip: Usually a correct answer is a choice with more information i.e. the lengthy one, because the instructor have tendency to load it with adjectives or phrases to make it grammatically correct.

9) Avoid Being Superstitious:

Ignore superstitions while doing multiple choice exams, because these have no value at all. Don’t waste time looking for pattern produced on your answer sheet. There is no need to be worry if you have find four consecutive “B” answer on answer sheet. Tests are usually constructed with answer in a random order and instructor has not analyzed the pattern of answers the same way that you have.

10) Leave a time for review:

Keep an eye on your watch and take a review of your bubble sheet for foolish mistakes i.e. if the circle is not filled completely it will be counted as a wrong answer when machine scored.

11) Check/Know the Scoring System:

Be aware of marking system to determine if some parts weighted more or if there is punishment for estimation. Ask the teacher or invigilator ahead of time about guessing punishment. If there is penalty, do not guess at answers that you are not sure. On the other hand, if there is no penalty on guessing, always make a guess. Punishment might be in a way of negative marking.

12) Bonus Tip:

This is recommended for guessing penalty free tests.

If you are assure that there is no negative marking on wrong answers then attempt 100% paper.

• If all else fails, use bonus tip:
  
  Select “B” or “C” if you fail to answer, studies suggests that instructor usually hides the correct answer between the distracters.
  

Wish you a good luck! Keep me in your prayers as well!

Amjad Hassan

Student of Metallurgy and Materials Engineering

Institute of advanced materials(IAM)

BZU Multan