There are many types of tests: multiple choice, true or false, short answer, problem solving, and essay. How do you approach each one? Most students go in with no strategy, just hope – hope that they've studied enough to know the right answers. That can work. But what if, studying aside, there is a special way to approach each type of test that would increase your odds of success? There is!
In this guide, we will show you how to take on every type of test. You may not need all of these tips now, but keep them in your toolbelt for later. Let's jump in!
Multiple Choice
A multiple-choice question is a question followed by a list of possible answer options.
- Budget your time. Divide total time by number of questions for the amount of time you should spend on each one. Stick to it and use a timer (watch, clock) to monitor pacing.
- Read every question carefully. Underline key words, phrases, and concepts. Watch for qualifiers that change the question, like some, more, least, most, all, is not, always, never. For example: "Which of the following is effective?" could lead to a different answer than "Which of the following is most effective?"
- Before looking at answer options, answer the question in your head. It forces you to slow down and think, which keeps you from being tricked or talking yourself out of the correct answer.
- Now uncover the answer options and pick the closest match. Don’t stop at the first one you like. Consider all options before finally deciding, as one of them might remind you of something you forgot to factor into your own answer.
- If you can't decide, eliminate answers you know are incorrect. Choosing from a shortened list resets the mind, saves time, and increases the likelihood of choosing correctly. If you still can't decide, rule out answers that seem extreme, illogical, or don’t make sense.
- If you're on the fence (or 50/50) between two answer options, avoid the one with absolutes like all, never, and always. Answers with some or often are more likely correct.
- Watch for "all of the above" answers. Choose them if two or more options are correct. Don't if even one is incorrect.
- Consider answer length and precision. Correct answers are usually the longest, most inclusive, and most precise...unless they contain technical terms not mentioned in the material.
- Look for cues in other questions. Sometimes one question includes clues or bits of information that can help you answer another.
- Don't overthink. Study and prepare. Give yourself the right to trust your gut. Choose the answer that seems best to you (51%) and move on.
- Mark unanswered questions or unsettled answers so you can circle back if time permits.
- Bonus Tips: (1) It is normal to miss questions. Knowing that, even expecting it, keeps you from skidding out of control if it happens. (2) Study practice tests beforehand to learn your instructor's testing style. Look for cues and patterns you can use on the test.
True or False
A true-or-false question is really more a statement that you have to decide is either true or false.
- Read each statement carefully. Understand what it is saying.
- Take each statement as a package deal. Every part must be true for the statement to be true. If even one part is false, or you can think of an exception to any part, the statement is false.
- Beware of unknowns. If on the fence about a statement containing unfamiliar terminology or facts, mark it false.
- Beware of absolutes. Statements containing absolutes like all, always, never, and none are usually false, except in science courses such as physics and chemistry. Flexible words like usually, frequently, and rarely allow for exceptions and are therefore more likely to be true, especially in social science courses.
- Bonus Tip: Study practice tests beforehand to learn your instructor's testing style. Look for cues and patterns you can use on the test.
Problem Solving
A problem-solving question is a question that must be solved by calculation. Think math, physics, chemistry.
- Help yourself. As soon as you get your test, write down (somewhere allowed) equations, formulas, or other calculation methods you don't want to forget.
- Read each question carefully. Identify the problem type and the equation, formula, or method needed to solve it. Practice sharpens recognition.
- Show your work. Instructors care just as much about your answer as they do the thought process behind it. Many even give partial credit for wrong answers if they can tell exactly where, in your thought process, your answer went left.
- Mark tough questions to revisit if time allows.
- Review. If you have time at the end, go back over your answers for mistakes: misread directions, misplaced decimals, and miscopied signs and numbers. Work out trickier problems on a separate sheet of paper to see if you get the same answer.
- Bonus Tips: (1) Study practice tests beforehand to learn your instructor's testing style. Look for cues and patterns you can use on the test. (2) When doing practice problems, make sure you understand when and why you should use specific methods.
Essay
An essay question is a question that requires a written analysis or explanation.
- Budget your time. Divide total time by number of essay questions to get the amount of time you should spend on each one. Stick to it and use a timer (clock, watch) to monitor pacing.
- Start with easier essays to build confidence and leave more pressure-free time for harder ones.
- Read each question carefully. Underline key words, concepts, and directional words like analyze, summarize, compare. If a question asks multiple sub-questions, be sure to answer each one (leave reminders in the answer space).
- Outline (or make a skeleton of) your essay before you start writing it. Arrange sections and topics logically, remembering that a well-organized outline ensures a well-organized answer. (Your instructor will thank you!) Not only does outlining help you plan your answer, but if you run out of time, you might get credit for the roadmap of where you were going.
- Write with confidence. As you write your essay, trust your outline and go! Don't second guess your plan unless you spot obvious errors.
- Don't leave questions blank. If you don't know the answer, write down what you do know because you might get partial credit.
- Don't neglect writing basics. Pay attention to spelling, grammar, punctuation, and sentence structure. Make your essay easy to read.
- Review. If you have time at the end of the test, review your answers for misspellings, grammatical and punctuational errors, disorganization, and mistaken/miswritten facts and figures.
- Tips: (1) Study practice tests to learn your instructor's testing style and gauge expectations concerning answer length, structure, and complexity. (2) Prior to the test, practice writing possible essays quickly, legibly, coherently.
Short Answer
A short-answer question asks for a brief written response, usually to list, name, define, explain, compare, or identify something.
- Read each question carefully. Note what the question is asking you to do. Underline key words and directional terms like Identify, Define, and List.
- Be responsive. Answer the question asked. Don't don't veer off topic or add information to "show off" knowledge.
- Be brief. Unless otherwise instructed, keep your answer anywhere from 1 or 2 words to a few sentences.
- Be thorough yet concise. Include just enough information to fully answer the question, and no more. Assume the reader is an expert, so no introductions and no need to be as explanatory as you would be for a novice.
- Start your answer by rewording the question. Question: What color is the sky? Answer: The sky is blue.
- Don't leave questions blank. If you don't know the answer, write down what you do know because you might receive partial credit.
- Practice. Walking the tight rope of "thorough yet concise" answers takes practice.
- Bonus Tips: (1) Make flashcards with key terms, definitions, or concepts on front and short answers/explanations on back. (2) Study practice tests beforehand to learn your instructor's testing style. Look for cues and patterns you can use on the test.
Open Book
An open-book test is one during which students are allowed to rely on notes, the textbook, or other resources for help.
- Don't be fooled. Open book tests are usually the hardest type. Spend as much time, if not more, preparing for them as you would a normal test.
- Make a quick-reference guide. Write down formulas, definitions, and other key information on a sheet of paper. Include where each item can be found in your textbook, notes, or slides. (Consider a table of contents.)
- Highlight important points in the book. Use sticky notes, bookmarkers, and margin notes as signal flares.
- Answer questions you know first, then questions you need to look up.
Universal Test-Taking Tips
- Budget your time. Divide total time by number of questions to know how much time you should spend on each one. Examples: 60 minutes to answer 2 essay questions = 30 minutes per essay. 50 minutes for 50 multiple-choice questions = 1 minute per question. Stick to the plan and use a timer (clock, watch) to monitor pacing. When time is up, move on. Mark unfinished or unsettled answers and circle back if you finish early.
- Start with easier questions. They build confidence and leave more pressure-free time for harder questions.
- Study practice tests to learn your instructor's testing style. Do questions tend to be long or short, simple or complex, straight forward or tricky? Do they repeatedly contain certain key words, phrases, qualifiers, or directions? The more patterns and cues you pick up on, the better prepared and more confident you'll be.
- The best way to prepare for a test is to pay attention in class. Listen, ask questions, take notes. Every minute you pay attention in class adds another layer of test confidence.
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