What are multiple choice exams?
Multiple-choice exams are usually very different to normal exams. Rather than having to know information unaided, multiple choice exams require you to identify the correct (or incorrect) answer/s from a selection of options. Sometimes in multiple choice exams, the answer is one of a number of very similar answers. Therefore, it can be important to learn the specific details of content that could be questioned.
Advice for multiple choice exams
If you are unsure of an answer, use reasoning to narrow down the potential answers and increase the odds of you getting the correct answer. Avoid guessing based on poor reasoning such as, “it hasn’t been C in a while, or the last two were A and B”. Think critically of the answers to reduce the amount. Sometimes answers are the opposite of each other meaning that one of them is right and the other wrong. If the answer isn’t obvious to you, you can try turning the statements into true or false.
In some multiple-choice exams, you are able to skip questions that you are unsure of before answering them later on. This will mean that you can spend more time on questions that you do know the answer to. Once you have answered the other questions go back to the original question and use what time you have left to answer them. Crucially, you should answer every question, (even with a guess if you are unsure), except in exams where you lose marks for getting a question wrong. This may gain you extra marks by chance.
Work out how long you have to answer each question and stick to it where possible, moving on to the next question before your time is up on a question. If you do have time left over, rather than leaving early, review your answers for any mistakes.
Reading mistakes are a big cause of lost marks in multiple choice exams. Make sure you read each question carefully and answer carefully before clicking submit.
Think about what your own answer to the question is before reading the options given to you.
Multiple choice exams often test you only on the resources that you have been given by your lecturer. Therefore, focus your revision on these materials. Sometimes lecturers may post additional reading on blackboard, these may be inside the scope of the exam and should be revised.
Use apps such as Quizlet to create multiple choice questions out of content. This can be useful for learning terms and definitions and to practice identifying the correct answer in multiple choice questions.
For more general revision strategies check out the exam revision skills guide.