- Get smart, play dumb. Don’t read anything into the question. Don’t make an assumption that the test writer is looking for something other than what is asked. Stick to the question as written and don’t read extra things into it.
- Read the question and all the choices twice before answering the question. You may miss something by not carefully reading and re-reading both the question and the answers. If you really don’t have a clue as to the right answer, leave it blank on the first time through. Go on to the other questions, as they may provide a clue as to how to answer the skipped questions. If, later on, you still can’t answer the skipped ones . . . Guess. The only penalty for guessing is that you might get it wrong. Only one thing is certain; if you don’t put anything down, you will get it wrong!
- Turn the question into a statement. Look at the way the questions are worded. The syntax of the question usually provides a clue. Does it seem more familiar as a statement rather than as a question? Does it sound strange? By turning a question into a statement, you may be able to spot if an answer sounds right, and it may also trigger memories of material you have read.
- Look for hidden clues. It’s actually very difficult to compose multiple-foil (choice) questions without giving away part of the answer in the options presented. In most multiple-choice questions you can often readily eliminate one or two of the potential answers. This leaves you with only two real possibilities; automatically, your odds go to Fifty-Fifty for very little work.
- Trust your instincts. For every fact that you have read, you subconsciously retain something of that knowledge. On questions that you aren’t really certain about, go with your basic instincts. Your first impression on how to answer a question is usually correct.
- Mark your answers directly on the test booklet. Don’t bother trying to fill in the optical scan sheet on the first pass through the test. Just be very careful not to mismark your answers when you eventually transcribe them to the scan sheet.
- Watch the clock! You have a set amount of time to answer the questions. Don’t get bogged down trying to answer a single question at the expense of ten questions you can more readily answer.
Read More : Testing Tips - Student Guide