6 TIPS TO ANSWER MCQS
Multiple choice questions are a form of test given to students to pick the most appropriate answer from several other statements. That sounds cheap but trickery. Especially when the negative marks are awarded. Check the following scenario, if given an exam covering 100 marks having 100 questions. You decide to answer 70 questions which you get 56 and you get 14 wrong, they have to be deducted from the 56. That leaves you with 42, a fail. It is even worse if you attempt the 30 you were not sure of. With luck on your side, you get 15 right because you get 15 wrong, overall remains 0. That means you were better off not trying! Below are some tips to help you dodge MCQs and excel with flying colors.
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familiarize yourself with the format of the exams
Get to know how your exam will be set. The type of questions that are normally asked. The series in which they take and if possible the topics to be covered. Your course work/handbook will come in handy. You might also consider seeking the opinions of your friends. Before entering an exam room, know how many questions are there and the duration it will take. A point to note is whether negative marking will be there.
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Read and understand the questions
Pay special attention to questions especially those that have special instructions like NOT. It is very possible to answer the question wrongly due to small mistakes of negligence such as failure to finish reading a sentence. Take your time in each and every question. Do not be in a hurry.
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practice
Practice as they say, makes perfect. Grab question papers in MCQ format and go through them. Create an environment almost close to that of exam room. Gauge yourself in terms of time taken to answer them and the mistakes you made. Better still, go through them with friends. Critically evaluating the questions and how similar types can be approached.
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apply elimination method
This method is only used when one is not sure of the answer. Rule out all those answers that seem not to fit in until you remain with one probable answer.
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guessing
At times guessing the answer in an intelligent way may fetch you correct answer. Look into wordings used to enable you what the question could mean. Like in the meaning of photosynthesis, ‘Photo’ is the word you are possibly going to be familiar with which means light so, you will look for an answer that has essentials of light.
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read widely
Ensure you have sufficient knowledge on the topic that the MCQs will cover. Do not neglect even the obvious because the questions come in ways you may not predict.
A Selection of Quotes About Exams
“Of course, it is very important to be sober when you take an exam. Many worthwhile careers in the street-cleansing, fruit-picking and subway-guitar-playing industries have been founded on a lack of understanding of this simple fact.”
~Terry Pratchett, Moving Pictures
“All I can say is, ‘Damn the exam!”
~ William Shawcross, The Queen Mother: The Official Biography
“To be better equipped for the tests that the year will bring — read a textbook. To prepare for the tests that life will bring — read a book.”
~ Mokokoma Mokhonoana
The student handed the essay in and got 100%.”
~ Anonymous
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