Even though many states are scaling back on spring testing, before the 2019/2020 school year, standardized testing, including the multiple-choice test, was mandated in all 50 states. Some states used PARCC or Smarter Balanced, some created their own tests, and others used a hybrid approach. Additionally, about half the states require students to take the SAT or ACT. [1] For the fall of 2021, three-fifths of 4-year colleges are test-optional. [2] Now, politicians have asked to pause testing. [3]
Still, teachers are required to give grades, and testing is likely to return. Preparing students to take tests is important as the odds are students will take tests (whether standardized or not) throughout their school years. This series of blog posts provides practical test-taking strategies, beginning with multiple-choice tests. This is the first of a five-part series. Come back each week to learn about True/False, Matching, Fill in the Blanks, and Essay test-taking strategies.
To make the material student-friendly as well as more interesting, I have created a free Boom deck with alternating facts and questions. This game-like activity will keep students engaged as they learn more about test-taking.
The Boom Card Lesson Script for Multiple Choice Test-Taking Strategies
Skimming the Test
When taking a multiple-choice test, skim the entire test first. As you skim the test, answer ‘easy’ questions you are sure you know the answer to. Place a question mark next to the questions that will take a lot of thought. Be sure to erase the question marks later.
You wonder, why should I do that? Doesn’t it take up valuable time? Here are the reasons…
-
- If the test is timed, skimming will help you better judge the test length and time points needed to complete the test. Skimming helps you plan your time.
- Skimming will help you better understand the types of questions on the test and give you a better mindset for answering them.
- Also, sometimes, information in one test question will help you answer another question. Skimming helps you spot this type of information.
Questions
Why should you skim over the test before jumping into Question 1?
- You can answer all the ‘easy’ questions, getting part of the test off your mind.
- Knowing the number and difficulty level of the questions will help you better plan your time.
- You can mark questions that will take more time to complete.
- All of the above
Which of the following Declaration of Independence Committee members wrote the document?
- John Adams of Massachusetts
- Roger Sherman of Connecticut
- Benjamin Franklin of Pennsylvania
- Robert R. Livingston of New York
- Thomas Jefferson of Virginia
Benjamin Franklin was a representative from the state of —.
- Massachusetts
- Connecticut
- Pennsylvania
- New York
Did you go back and look up the answer? Imagine if you knew the question about Benjamin Franklin’s home state was coming up. You most likely would remember the answer. Occasionally one question will give you hints or even answers to another question. Skimming the test will help you locate helpful hints.
General Rules
Read the instructions carefully. You may be asked to…
-
- Select the most correct answer.
- Mark all correct answers.
- Which of the following is NOT…
- Also, notice questions that include all or none of the above.
Read each question twice. First, read the entire question, eliminating obviously incorrect answers. Then, reread the narrowed-down options before selecting one.
If time allows, check the questions on each test page before moving on to the next page. Your concentration will be sharper when you reread only a few questions instead of the full test.
INTERESTING FACT – A study by Stephen M. Smith in 1984 proved that visualizing your setting when learning a fact can help you recall the details you learned. So, next time you try to dig a detail out of your mind, stop and visualize where you learned the information.
Questions
Type T for True and F for False in front of each statement.
____ Some multiple-choice test questions may ask you to mark multiple answers.
____ On tests that aren’t timed, complete the entire test before going back and checking answers.
____ Eliminating wrong answers is unnecessary if you can spot the correct answer quickly.
____ A question may ask for you to find the wrong answer.
____ Stephen M. Smith’s study proved that where you study doesn’t matter.
Some multiple-choice questions may ask you to mark more than one answer. This is true. Watch for questions that ask you to select all the correct answers.
On tests that aren’t timed, complete the entire test before going back and checking answers. This is false. Check each page of answers before going to the next page. It is easier to focus on small segments.
Eliminating wrong answers is unnecessary if you can spot the correct answer quickly. This is false. Sometimes you think you have found the correct answer. You may discover a better answer choice when reading the question more thoroughly. Always read the entire question and eliminate answers you know are incorrect.
A question may ask for you to find the wrong answer. This is true. Look for questions that say, “Which of the following is NOT…”
Stephen M. Smith’s study proved that where you study doesn’t matter. This is false. Smith’s study proved that you will remember information more clearly if you can associate facts and details with where you learned them.
Specifics
When you encounter a difficult question, spend only about 2 minutes on it before moving on to the others. This is important for several reasons.
- You don’t want to run out of time.
- Your subconscious mind will continue to solve the question while you work on simpler questions.
Words such as usually, often, generally, may, and seldom are often correct than absolute answers, including words such as every, all, none, always, and only. Absolute answers show that the correct answer is an undisputed fact. These are rare.
If the question contains the words none, not, never, or neither look for the answer that is a definite out-and-out fact.
Questions
Separate the following words on the T-chart.
| only | usually | often | every | may |
| generally | none | all | always | seldom |
| Words that Signal General Answers | Words that Signal Absolute Answers |
| usually | every |
| often | all |
| generally | none |
| may | always |
| seldom | only |
Which type of answers [general/absolute] is rarely the correct answer on a multiple-choice test?
- general
- absolute
The words none, not, never, or neither signal —-.
- facts
- falsehoods
- deceptions
- statistics
When All Else Fails…Guess
Some tests penalize for wrong answers. Ensure you know if the test you are taking subtracts points for wrong answers or if it is better to answer every question before you begin.
If completing the entire test, follow these guidelines when you don’t know an answer.
- If the multiple-choice test contains four options ABCD, select B. It is the correct answer approximately 28% of the time.
- Consecutive answers of the same letter are less likely. If you are positive B is the correct answer to the previous question, select a different answer for the next question.
- When the multiple-choice question has five options ABCDE, select E. The least likely answer will be C.
- If the answer makes the question/answer choice grammatically correct, it is most likely the correct answer.
- If the answer choices include “All of the above” or “None of the above,” select one of these two choices. “All of the above” or “None of the above” are the correct answers 52% of the time.
- If the answer contains numbers, choose one in the middle.
- If two answers have similar-sounding or similar-looking words, such as continual and constant, select one of these answers.
Questions
In the novel Wonder, Auggie has extraordinary physical deformities. Why is Auggie considered brave?
- Even though he is tormented for being different, Auggie braves attending school.
- Auggie has been running ever since his father threatened him and his mother with a gun.
- He is an amazing ballplayer.
- Auggie lives in a society in which the government controls everyone.
Even if you have never heard of the book Wonder, the best answer is A because it best completes the thought Auggie has extraordinary physical deformities. It is the most grammatically correct option.
You have no idea which answer is correct. You will NOT select —-.
- Nile
- Amazon
- Yangtze
- Mississippi
- Yenisei
When 5 answer choices are given, select E. Answer C is the most likely to be incorrect.
What is the first letter of the alphabet?
- D
- A
- C
- B
You just answered the question about the alphabet, and you are positive you know the answer. This next question is a tough one, and you have no idea what the answer is. Which answer will you NOT select?
- Mauna Loa – Hawaii
- Eyjafjallajokull – Iceland
- Mount Vesuvius – Italy
- Mount Nyiragongo – Congo
You would not select B because consecutive correct answers are less likely.
After reading the question thoroughly, you still have no idea which answer is correct. You will select —-.
- pumpkins
- apples
- pears
- All of the above
“All of the above” and “None of the above” are correct more than half of the time.
You have no idea which answer is correct. You will select —-.
- Henry Ford
- Thomas Alva Edison
- Walt Disney
- Albert Einstein
When 4 answer choices are given, select B.
