1. How to be successful taking Multiple Choice tests.

2. Multiple Choice Questions
If you do not understand the directions, ask for help.
Read the question. Circle or underline any key words.
Try to answer a question before looking at the choices. If your answer is there, that’s a good sign!
Mark questions that you can’t answer & continue working. Save time and return to the skipped questions, even if it is simply to mark a guess.

3. Pace Yourself
Don’t spend too much time on any one question. Do your best and then move on.
If you are completely unsure, skip it, but be sure to go back.

4. Multiple Choice Questions
Do not change your answers unless you are very certain that your first answer choice is wrong.
Try to answer every question. Make the most intelligent guess you can.

5. The Process of Elimination
After you have been through all of the questions once, go back and find questions you have some knowledge about and eliminate choices that you know are incorrect.
I know C isn’t the answer!

6. The Process of Elimination
When you are unsure of an answer, try to eliminate as many answers as possible. Eliminating one or more choices increases your odds!
If you can eliminate two wrong answers, your chance of choosing the right answer is greater.

7. Example of eliminating answers…..
You find the following question on your math test this Friday:
-9 (-9) =
a b c d. 81
What choices could you eliminate if you were unsure of the answer? What prior knowledge about a negative times a negative might help you?

8. The Death Grip
If your arm tires during testing it is probably due to the grip that you have on your pencil.
Relax the grip and give those muscles a break.
Do not do arm exercises during testing as this disturbs others.

9. Answering Questions
Don't guess blindly. If you have time to think about the best answer choice, make it! Don’t answer “B” because it’s your favorite letter. Please don’t choose “C” because it’s a cute letter. Answer wisely.

10. Key Words
Find key words or phrases in the question that will help you choose the correct answer.

11. KEY WORDS CAN HELP! Find the difference……………? Find the total………………..?
How much was left………………?
How much did each receive………….?
Four times as much………………?
Understanding definitions is a huge help!
To solve? To evaluate? To simplify?
To compare? To graph? To identify?

12. What are we answering?
Make sure you understand what the question is asking.
Be sure you are responding to the question that is being asked.

13. Reading Passages read the questions first.
If the test requires you to read passages and then answer questions about what you read,
read the questions first.
By doing this, you will know what you are looking for as you read. This also helps you go faster on the test.

14. CHARTS & GRAPHS
When there are several questions about a graph or chart, read titles and axis labels before reading the question.

15. Math Computation
When using scratch paper on a math test, double check to make sure that you have copied the problem correctly from the test.

16. Math Computation
If your answer does not match one of the choices, reread the problem, recopy the numbers, and try solving it again.

17. A Matter of Time Remember: Your first answer is usually right.
If any time remains, spend it on those questions which you were unsure of the answer.
As you go back through, do not change all your answers.
Remember: Your first answer is usually right.

18. Final Tips Write neatly and make sure your answers are clearly marked.
Go back and make sure every question has been answered.
Double-check that you have written your name on the test.

19. Discuss this question and decide what strategies could be used to answer it. (elimination of wrong answers, key words, substitute possible answers in an equation, come up with answer before looking at choices, prior knowledge, etc….)
A scuba diver is swimming at a depth of -12 ft. Then she dives down to a coral reef that is at five times the depth. What is the depth of the reef?
A ft B ft C. 60 ft D ft

20. Discuss your question, the strategies you could use to answer, and finally, give your answer.
Which quadrant would you find the ordered pair (3, -2)?
A. 1
B. 2
C. 3
D. 4
E. 5

21. Discuss your question, the strategies you could use, and finally your answer.
Last week, Cody made deposits of $45, $18, and $27 into his checking account. He then wrote checks for $21, and $93. What was the overall change in his account balance?
A. The balance was increased by $24
B. The balance was reduced by $24
C. The balance remained the same
D. The balance was increased by $2.40

22. Discuss question, strategies, and give answer.
Suppose -3 is the answer to a division problem and -12 is the number being divided. What is the divisor?
A. -4
B. 36
C. 4
D. -36

23. Discuss your question, the strategies you can use, and finally answer.
Match the word to its correct definition: coordinate plane
A. A plane formed by the intersection of two number lines called the x axis and the y axis.
B. A plane formed by the intersection of 3 number lines called the x, the y, and the z axis’.
C. A plane formed by two wings, a large engine and flown by an experienced pilot.