So you’ve studied for the exam you must pass to attain your first or next-level license. You feel confident, but also a little nervous.
All that is fine — good preparation is the best predictor of success, and a little pre-test anxiety can help bring out your best. But you can slightly bump up your chance of success by knowing a few tips for dealing with multiple-choice questions. Here is some advice gleaned from various experts and from my own exam experience.
Invest time answering sample questions. Before taking my Graduate Record Exam (a part of the process for applying to graduate school), I went through a book of sample questions — not actual questions from the exam, but the same kinds of questions. So when I sat down for the exam it had a familiar feel; I was already in a groove. Your state or regional association most likely can provide sample questions, and you can find many at tpomag.com/study. Use resources like these in the days just before the exam.
Be ready to pace yourself. Know how many questions the exam will contain and how much time you’ll have to answer them. Then you’ll know roughly how long to focus on each question, and you won’t have to stress about finishing on time.
Read each question very carefully. Some experts recommend reading each question twice, or underlining the keywords in the questions, so that you are fully clear on what is being asked. Misreading or misunderstanding a question will almost surely lead you to an incorrect answer.
Think first, then choose. Try answering the question in your head. Then look at the choices offered to see if one matches the answer you came up with. If so, that’s probably the right one. A related strategy: Don’t second-guess yourself. Trust your initial thought, because if you prepared properly and studied, it is probably right.
Use the process of elimination. Some questions may include suggested answers that are obviously not the correct ones. Eliminate these, especially if you’re unsure of the correct answer. Then you’ll have better odds that your educated guess from the remaining choices will be right. Use this technique in particular with questions that require math calculations. Often you’ll be able to tell right away that one or more choices are not even in the ballpark.
Don’t overthink it. You need to read the questions and make your choices with care, but don’t analyze excessively. Some questions will be difficult, but don’t make it harder on yourself by assuming the test creator is trying to trick you. Usually the question and the correct answer will be straightforward.
Don’t get hung up. If a question really has you stumped, don’t just take a wild guess, and don’t linger to long over it. Skip it for the time being and come back to it later. If you’ve paced yourself properly, you’ll still have time to give it due consideration.
Don’t be superstitious. Avoid worrying about patterns you might see in your answers. For example, the mere fact you’ve answered “B” four times in a row does not mean you have made mistakes. Exams are built with correct answers positioned randomly. Rely on your knowledge; be confident that you have chosen correctly.
Beware of last-minute changes. Review the test after you complete it and check your work, but don’t change any answers unless you have a good reason to do so, such as if you discovered new information later the test that would affect an answer you selected earlier. Remember, you studied. Trust yourself.
These strategies should help you use your time wisely, make good choices, and avoid silly mistakes. They won’t do you much good if you enter the exam room unprepared. Study appropriately, get a good night’s sleep, approach the exam confidently, and in all likelihood that first or next-level license will be yours when the exam is completed.
