Test-Taking Strategies – Common Questions

MULTIPLE CHOICE EXAMS:

How do I read the question carefully so that I can
understand what a question is really asking?
POSSIBLE STRATEGIES:
• As you read the question, underline key terms. Be especially
careful with questions containing double negatives.
• Don’t read anything in or out of the question. Make sure you
restrict your response only to the topic at hand. For example,
if you had a PSY 120 question about a student having
problems getting motivated, stick to the description of the
problem. Don’t infer reasons — go with what was stated in
the question.
• Break the question into smaller parts. Sometimes long
questions are hard to keep up with. Read slowly, sentence by
sentence, and make sure you understand each part rather
than focusing on the question as a whole. It may help to
cover part of the stem or some of the options with your hand
so you can focus better.

How can I decide between two very close answers?

POSSIBLE STRATEGIES:
How do you deal with a lot of “none of the above,”
• When you don’t know the correct response, compare each
“all of the above,” “a and b,” etc. choices?
option with the stem and analyze how each is different. One
response may have something that others do not have. POSSIBLE STRATEGIES:
• Refer to the strategies for the first question above. Sometimes
• Responses that are more precise or technical are more likely
these questions are difficult simply because it is hard to
to be correct. However, responses using technical terms not
understand what the question is asking.
mentioned in the material studied are probably incorrect.
• It’s often better to cover up the options while you read the
• If unsure, select the response that seems to be more
question. Once you have read the question, think of the
inclusive.
correct answer first, then uncover the options and find your
• If you are guessing between two responses, avoid options response(s) among them.
containing words such as “none,” “all,” “always,” and
• Read each possible option individually and decide on the
“never.” Choices using “some” or “often” are more likely to
correctness of each. We often become stressed when we see
be correct.
terms such as “all of the above” or “none of the above” and we
• If two options are identical, they are both wrong, unless try to read all of the responses together.
there is a choice which includes both options.
• Choose “all of the above” when two or more choices are
• Examine opposites carefully: one is definitely incorrect, and definitely correct. However, only one response has to be wrong
one is likely to be correct. for this choice to be incorrect.
• Explain answers in the margins, especially when you feel like
there are “two” best answers.

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I often lose concentration while taking multiple- ESSAY EXAMS
choice tests. How do I keep that from happening?
I feel so rushed while taking essay exams! How do I
POSSIBLE STRATEGIES: avoid this?
• Try to focus on each question in turn. Don’t worry about one
POSSIBLE STRATEGIES:
question while trying to answer another. You might even
• You probably will feel quite rushed. Many exams you take are
want to cover up all of the other questions besides the one
meant to be “speeded tests” to see how well you can work within
you are working on.
a time limit.
• Start with what you know. This will often give you a more
• Many classes, especially history, will give the questions to
clear focus than trying to answer questions you don’t know.
you a few days before the test. There is a reason for this! It is
important to practice composing an answer to those questions
I don’t seem to study the right information. I get to before the test. At the very least, compose an outline. In a typical
the material on the test and discover that I don’t class period, there is not enough time to always brainstorm
know any of it. thorough answers and finish the test.
POSSIBLE STRATEGIES: • Essay exams tend to be broad questions. As you review your
• There are two parts to test taking — one is the actual taking notes, look for broad themes in them rather than focusing on
of the test and the other is the preparation for the test. All of details, unless your instructor specifically tells you otherwise.
the test-taking strategies in the world will not help you whiz This strategy will help you predict potential questions.
through a test if you haven’t prepared properly.
• Give yourself a time limit for each question so that you don’t
• If you are taking the test and feel totally lost, there are devote too much time to any one part of the test.
still some test-taking strategies you can use. For instance,
• If you are running out of time, finish your essay with an outline.
use the test itself as a source of information. Many times
You might get some points with an outline versus not putting
teachers will unwittingly supply the answer to one question
anything down..
in another part of the test.
• Answer from the perspective of the class. Even if you are
How do I overcome writer’s block when I get to the test?
unsure about the facts, you probably have an idea of the
perspective of the subject. POSSIBLE STRATEGIES:
• Temporary lapses in concentration are common. Just because
• Answer the questions that you know first and save the
you can’t remember something at first doesn’t mean it’s totally
difficult questions for later. You can boost your self-efficacy
lost to you. You might want to try glancing over other parts of the
by starting with material that you know. You also want to get
test. As you read other questions, you might see terms that will
credit for everything you know and not run out of time.
refresh your memory.
• If you are really stuck, try to think of a title for your essay. If you
Are multiple-choice tests easier that essay tests?
think of title, you can give yourself a perspective or a focus from
POSSIBLE STRATEGIES: which to answer the question.
This question depends on several factors such as:
• Your skills — sometimes we tend to be better at one type or
How do I make sure that my essay is organized?
the other.
POSSIBLE STRATEGIES:
• Content — it may be that answering multiple-choice tests
• Write a rough outline before you begin.
in geography is a very different experience from answering
them in English. • Writing practice essays before the test will help you hone your
organization skills. Timing yourself while writing these practice
• Teacher’s expectations — At what level does the instructor
essays will help to give you a more realistic testing situation.
want you to know the material? People often believe that
multiple-choice tests are easier to answer, but that is not • Giving your essay a title is also a way to give yourself a focus.
necessarily true. Multiple-choice questions can be written
at a high level of difficulty. I have problems when the entire exam depends on only one
or two questions.
These are just some of the factors that could affect the
POSSIBLE STRATEGIES:
response to this question.
• When an essay counts for a large portion of your grade, don’t see
it as one big question. Instead break the essay down into smaller,
more manageable portions to answer.

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 Test-Taking Strategies – Identifying Patterns
from Past Exams
Many times instructors are predictable, creatures of habit. Instructors will typically construct each of
their exams in the same fashion. The trick to increasing your success on your next exam is to identify the
patterns used by the instructor for constructing the test from. If you are able to determine where exam
material is being extracted from, you are a much more focused, successful, and proficient exam taker.
After you take your first exam with an instructor, you can focus your studying on the most important
resources and avoid spending too much time on material that won’t be on the exam.

1 WRITE DOWN EVERYTHING

To protect the integrity of exams, instructors don’t always
hand back exams. They will most likely let you view the test
if you come to their office to view the materials. However,
immediately after an exam, you probably can recall most
of the material on the exam. Believe it or not, immediately
following the exam is when you will be able to help make the
next exam you take be a success.

IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE EXAM, WRITE DOWN

EVERYTHING YOU CAN REMEMBER ABOUT IT:
• What questions were asked on the exam? (write down as
many questions as you can remember)
• What did you know well?
• What did you struggle with?

TEXT BOOK
2 WHERE DID THE ANSWERS Were questions pulled from ...
COME FROM? • Bolded Vocabulary
• Headings
For Step 2, you will want to find the answers for each of the
• Summaries
test questions you identified during Step 1. Answers to the
• End of Chapter Reviews
test questions may be pulled from a number of resources
(your text book, lecture, power point, homework, etc.)
LECTURE
introduced by your instructor. Now you want to work on
• Do you remember hearing the information in class but it wasn’t
identifying patterns, the following questions will help you with
in your notes?
this process.
• If a test question was based on lecture materials, do you recall
What resources (book, lecture, Power Point, homework) was
how much time the instructor spent lecturing on that topic in
your test based on?
class?

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POWER POINT
• Was the power point presented as a stand-alone
document or was it part of a lecture?
• Was the power point available outside of a lecture
(accessible through Canvas or some other means)?

HOMEWORK
• Were there exam questions similar to homeworkproblems/
assignments?
• Some assignments are not mandated but suggested,
would those materials have given you a better
understanding of your exam questions?

STUDY GUIDE
• Did the study guide (if one was provided) give you specific
topics or general ideas to study?
• Were there topics not on the study guide that appeared on
the exam?

WERE YOU ABLE TO FIND ALL THE ANSWERS TO YOUR

TEST QUESTIONS?
• It is critical that you meet with your instructor to
understand what resource was used to formulate the
question. Instructors provide their office hours on their
syllabus, this is probably the best time to meet and
discuss your question.

3 IDENTIFYING PATTERNS
• Do you think your instructor pulled equally from all
resources OR are they selecting more heavily on certain
resources?

• What did you know well? Were those questions pulled

from a specific resource?

• What did you struggle with? Were those questions pulled

from a specific resource?

• Were there questions that you thought you knew the right
answer to but ended up getting wrong? Do you know why
this happened? If no, seek help from your instructor to
gain a better understanding.

• Were there other patterns you identified?

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 Test-Taking Strategies – Strategies for Different
Types of Test Questions
MULTIPLE CHOICE TESTS
• Carefully read the directions. Some tests might want you to
choose all the correct answers.
• Read each question thoroughly before looking at your
choices.
• Come up with the answer in your head before looking at the
possible answers, this way the choices given on the test
won’t throw you off or trick you.
• Be sure to read all the answers before selecting the correct
one. There may be two that are similar but only one is right.
• Don’t read anything in or out of the question. Make sure
you restrict your response only to the topic at hand. For
example, if you had a PSY 120 question about a student
having problems getting motivated, stick to the description
of the problem. Don’t infer reasons — go with what was
stated in the question.
• Break the question into smaller parts. Sometimes long
questions are hard to keep up with. • A positive choice is more likely to be true than a negative one.

• Read slowly, sentence by sentence, and make sure you • Usually the correct answer is the choice with the most
understand each part rather than focusing on the question information or is more inclusive.
as a whole. It may help to cover part of the stem or some of • When you don’t know the correct response, compare each
the options with your hand so you can focus better. option with the stem and analyze how each is different. One
• Underline key words and phrases in the question. response may have something that others do not have.

• Pay special attention to words that could throw you off i.e., • Responses that are more precise or technical are more likely
“which of the following is not...” to be correct. However, responses using technical terms not
mentioned in the material studied are probably incorrect.
• Eliminate answers you know aren’t right.
• If two options are identical, they are both wrong, unless there is
• Incorrect answers almost always contain words such as a choice which includes both options.
always, never, all, none and every.
• Examine opposites carefully: one is definitely incorrect, and one
• Correct answers almost always contain words such as is likely to be correct.
often, most, rarely, may sometimes be, can occasionally
result in, and are often. • Explain answers in the margins, especially when you feel like
there are two “best” answers.
• Choose “all of the above” when two or more choices are
definitely correct. However, only one response has to be • Many times the longest or most inclusive answer is the correct
wrong for this choice to be incorrect. one.

• Watch the meaning of sentences containing double • When absolutely guessing, select the middle responses
negatives. Cross out both negatives and then answer the (e.g., B or C).
question.

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TRUE/FALSE TESTS
• Answer these questions quickly.
• Look for qualifiers. All, only, never, and always are mostly
false. Generally, often, usually, and sometimes are almost
always true.
• If any part of the question is false, then the whole
statement is false.
• Most true/false tests contain more true answers than
false answers. When in doubt, guess true. You have more
than a 50% chance of being right.
• Negatives are confusing. If the question contains
negatives, like no, not, cannot, circle the negative and read
the sentence that remains. Decide whether that sentence
is true or false. If it is true, the opposite or negative is
usually false.
• Every part of a true statement must be true. If any one FILL IN THE BLANK/SHORT ANSWER
part of the sentence is false, the whole sentence is false TESTS
despite many other true statements. • These questions often ask for definitions or short descriptions.
• Similar to essay questions.
ESSAY TESTS • Over learn the material — learn the material backwards and
• Read the essay questions. forwards so you can answer questions as fast as you can write.
• If you have a choice of answering 2/3 essay questions, • Look for grammatical hints. For example, a sentence that begins
decide which ones you are going to answer. with “an_” indicates that the word starts with a vowel.
• Read the questions carefully and do everything that it asks • Use the best word or phrase you can think of.
you to do — some essay questions contain more than one
part. • Use flashcards, writing the key terms, dates and concepts on the
front and the definition, event, and explanations on the back.
• Budget your time and begin to plan. Outline or diagram the
main points you want to cover. • Try to anticipate questions that will be asked on the test and
prepare for them. Usually what your instructor emphasizes in
• Write out examples, sources and quotes you want to use class will be on the test.
to support your essay.
• Try not to leave an answer blank. Show your work/write down
• Start with a thesis statement or idea that explains what your thoughts, even if you don’t get the exact answer, partial
you will be covering in your essay. credit is usually awarded.
• Use the 5—paragraph method. • If you don’t know the answer, come back to it after you finish the
1. Introduction — what will be covered in the essay. rest of the test and make an educated guess.
2. Body — three supporting claims/paragraphs (use
examples, quotes, sources to support). • Other parts of the test may give you clues to what the answer
3. Conclusion — short and to the point. may be.

• Write legibly. Organization, clear thinking and good writing • Read the question carefully and make sure that you answer
are important. So is neatness. everything that it asks for. Some short answer questions have
multiple parts.
• Save time at the end so you can reread and revise your
essay.
• Keep your eye on the time. Make sure you’re not spending
too much time on one answer at the expense of others.
• If you run out of time, jot down the last few ideas in point
form. Your teacher will be able to see where you were
going with your answer, especially if you used an outline
before you began.

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OPEN BOOK TESTS • Work on practice problems for each topic ranging in levels of
• Write down any formulas and definitions on a separate difficulty.
piece of paper along with the page numbers of where more
• When practicing, try to solve the problem on your own first
information can be found.
then look at the answer or seek help if you are having trouble.
• Know what information is found in each chapter.
• Mix up the order of the questions from various topics when
• Know where information can be found in your notes — you are reviewing so you’ll learn when to use a specific
create a table of contents for easy access. method/formula.
• Open book tests are usually the most difficult type of test. • Make up a sheet with all the formulas you need to know and
• Spend an equal or greater amount of time preparing as you memorize all the formulas on the sheet.
would for a normal test. The open book test will most likely • When you get your exam, write down all the key formulas on
be harder than if it were a closed book exam. the margin of your paper so if you forget them when you’re in
• Focus on learning the main ideas and get a feel for where the middle of the test you can look back at the formula.
they are located in the book, learn the details later if there’s • Read the directions carefully and don’t forget to answer all
still time. parts of the question.
• Highlight important points, use post-it notes, bookmarks • Make estimates for your answers ... i.e. if you are asked to
and make notes in your book, if it is allowed. answer 48 x 12 = ?, you could expect a number around 500,
• Bring all the resources that your professor or teacher but if you end up with an answer around 5000, you’ll know
allows. you did something wrong.
• Answer the easy questions that you know off the top of your • Show all your work (especially when partial credit is
head first, then go back and answer the questions where awarded) and write as legibly as possible.
you need to reference your book. • Even if you know the final answer is wrong, don’t erase your
• Use quotations from the book to support your view, but entire work because you may get partial credit for using the
don’t include too many quotes, be sure to give your own correct procedure.
insight and commentary. • Check over your test after you are done with it. If you have
time, redo the problem on a separate piece of paper and
see if you come up with the same answer the second time
MATH TESTS around. Look for careless mistakes such as making sure the
• Repetition is important in math. You learn how to solve decimal is in the right place, that you read the directions
problems by doing them so keep doing practice problems correctly, that you copied the numbers correctly, that you put
but don’t do it blindly. Make sure you learn how to recognize a negative sign if it is needed, that your arithmetic is correct
when/why you should use a specific method to solve a and so on.
problem.

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