Nerdify Reviews 6 Tips on How to Improve Your Grades on Multiple Choice Tests
We are all familiar with how difficult multiple-choice tests can be. Because there is more than one answer, they can be very distracting. The questions can also be written in a way that is ambiguous which causes you to second-guess yourself. Add time constraints to all of this and it is no wonder why many students feel a type of anxiety when a multiple-choice test appears in front of them.
The Nerdify Reviews team has prepared for you an excellent list of tips on how to pass multiple-choice tests and boost your confidence when you have to take one.
Why These Test Tips are Important
Multiple choice tests are some of the most common tests you will have in college. They are used to prove that students have an adequate understanding of the material. Because they are so common, it is vital that you improve your ability to take them.
The good news is that increasing your multiple-choice test scores means that your test-taking strategies will increase in general. If you are looking for advice on how to improve your grades in university, the following pointers will always help you even if the test is not multiple-choice. You will be able to read questions more carefully and manage your time better no matter what type of test you take.
1. Read Each Question Very Carefully
When you read a question, make sure you pay attention to certain words and phrases. This tip is important whether you know the material or not. If you feel like you know the material already, it is easy to skim through the questions without paying attention.
If you are unsure about the answer, look for specific words that can give you a hint about what the right answer could be. Keep an eye out for these words that are made to trip you up: NOT, ALL, and MOST.
2. Eliminate the Answers that You Know are Incorrect
As stated before, multiple-choice tests are meant to distract you (just like that last Reddit post you spent 30 minutes reading). That’s the whole point. However, you can minimize this distraction by getting rid of the choices you know are wrong. It is much less stressful to deal with two answers rather than four.
Better yet, it might also be a good idea to answer the question in your mind first if you can. That way you can simply find the right answer and then move on to the next one. No muss, no fuss.
3. Make Sure You are Managing Your Time Effectively
Time management is one of the most essential tips for multiple-choice tests. We all know that if you spend too much time on a question, you give yourself less time to answer the others. This could be problematic, especially if you have to skip a question that you actually knew.
This is why it is always a good idea to answer the easy questions first because you will then have more time to focus on the challenging ones. This can also help to put your mind at ease because you KNOW the easy questions are already answered.
4. Make Your Best, Educated Guess
Of course, we have all had to deal with questions where we are not quite sure what the correct answer is. Maybe we have even narrowed it down to two possible answers. In this situation, it is okay to make a guess. Use the knowledge that you have to lean toward the best answer.
It should go without saying but, even if you have no idea what the correct answer is, never leave a question blank. A 20–50% chance of being right is always preferable to 0%.
5. Give Yourself Enough Time to Review Your Work
The other multiple-choice test tips have all led up to this one because it might be the most important. Double-checking your answers will help you to find errors you might have made while rushing to finish the test.
However, while reviewing your answers, do not obsess over your choices! You should not be second-guessing yourself during this time. Also, don’t fret about a difficult problem. The hard questions are worth the same amount of points as the easy ones. That’s one of the best things about multiple-choice tests!
6. When All Else Fails, Ask Your Teacher
This is advice that many students never use. If you are stumped on a problem, there is nothing wrong with asking your teacher for help. Of course, they will try their best to help you without giving you the answer, but anything that they tell you might give you some insight into how to answer the question correctly.
Seriously, if you want to know how to improve your grades, this last tip is definitely something you should consider. Never be afraid to ask a question to a teacher. Remember, they are there to help you learn.
In Conclusion
Multiple-choice tests can be difficult. Mastering them can be even more so. With the proper preparation, however, you will be more confident when it’s test day. Follow these strategies and take your test grades to the next level!
If you would like more tips on how to succeed in college and university, follow the Nerdify Reviews team’s Medium for a comprehensive game plan on how to achieve great results in your studies.
