In today's educational curriculum, there are many assessments in the form of multiple choice questionnaires (MCQ). They make it possible to test the knowledge and skills of students or pupils. It is an exercise which is more complicated than it seems, because the wording of the questions and answers is sometimes ambiguous. To be successful in a MCQ, you must first read and analyze the questions. Then comes the choice of the right answer (s), which can sometimes require a bit of strategy. However, if you are learning well and consistently, you should be fine and you should have a very good grade.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Analyze the questions for a multiple choice quiz
Step 1. Follow the given instructions exactly
All MCQs begin with instructions that are either written on the examination sheet or given orally or written on the board by the teacher: follow them carefully. For some MCQs, the answers must be checked directly on the questionnaire, for others, you must report them on a separate sheet.
Step 2. Read each question carefully
Even if it seems obvious, any MCQ begins with a careful reading of the questions. If the MCQ is presented on a photocopy, take a sheet of paper that will allow you to hide the answers, while you read the question well. You will not be influenced by these firsts.
Sometimes it is even useful to read the question several times to be sure you understand it. Take your time, don't respond too quickly
Step 3. Analyze the wording of the question carefully
See if the question contains a negation, such as "Choose the answer that does not describe …" Also see if there is a value judgment in any of the questions, like "Choose the answer that best matches …" or "Choose the answer. best solution …"
Watch out for slightly tricky wordings that imply more than one solution, such as “Choose multiple answers” or “Choose two of the four solutions”
Step 4. Try to answer directly in your head
After reading the question, try to answer it without looking at the proposed solutions. If your answer is in the proposals, then you are sure to get all the points.
- A MCQ is a test of knowledge, so it is good to find the answer to the question before seeing the proposed solutions, which supposes having revised. With an answer in mind, you are putting the odds in your favor.
- If you don't naturally have the answer to the question, don't worry! You have a choice to make among several proposals that may well refresh your memory.
Step 5. Look for qualifiers
These are words that express specific conditions or circumstances. They will help you limit the amount of possible answers. There are several categories of qualifiers.
- Time information: after, before, always, during, never.
- Superlatives: less, more, more common, faster, better, unique.
- The conditional ones: if X occurs, whenever x occurs, assuming that x, except if x …
Method 2 of 3: Respond intelligently to multiple choice questions
Step 1. Read each answer carefully
Once the question is well understood, carefully read the proposals that are made to you. The number of answers varies greatly from one MCQ to another and even from one question to another: it ranges from two answers to five or six, it all depends on the nature of the evaluation desired by the professor.
Take your time to read each of the answers. Do not forget any under any pretext whatsoever. If you forget or read incorrectly, you might panic and make the wrong choice, even if you already have an idea of the correct answer
Step 2. Proceed by elimination
Mark those answers that are obviously wrong. Sometimes you find right away that one or two answers are wrong or you think there is a very high probability that another is. Eliminate those that you are sure are fake and mark those that you suspect are fake too.
- Pay close attention to answers that contain ambiguous words, like "always", "never" or the dreaded answer that always comes last "Other".
- Do not look for noon to two o'clock! Unless it is a selective MCQ, the teacher who gives a MCQ does not seek to trap his students or his pupils with devious phrases: he just wants to control your knowledge.
Step 3. Look for an answer that exactly matches the question
Stop for a moment and ask yourself the question. Do not yet choose a solution that only partially answers the question asked, there is a risk that it is there to deceive you. Follow your first intuition (without giving it more importance than that) and choose the answer that seems most appropriate to the question.
Often, it happens that we hesitate between two answers and this often happens at the end of the test because of fatigue. In this case, read and reread the question, try each of the answers in your head and choose the one that seems most likely to you
Step 4. Answer the questions in order
Do not skip questions by answering, for example, first those to which you know the answer. Going from one question to the next is a waste of time, and it is important if your test is time-limited. Do the questions in order and try to answer them as best you can.
If you dry up on a question, try to carefully read the question and the answers provided. If you really don't find an answer that inspires you, put a visible sign next to the question so you can come back to it later
Step 5. Don't leave any questions unanswered
You would lose points. At best, you will have 0 for the question, at worst, you will be deducted from points for no answer. Whether by logic or intuition, answering every question, hopefully you can still earn some points.
On a difficult question, even after having learned well, it happens that the answer you have does not correspond entirely to those proposed. Choose the one that you think is closest to what you think
Method 3 of 3: Prepare for a MCQ
Step 1. Prepare for your exam
To be successful in a MCQ, you must prepare as far as possible in advance. Make a schedule of revisions for this exam. Plan your work to be ready on time. You can revise well in advance, then revisit your classes again more deeply in the week or days before, it all depends on how you work.
Of course, you can cram in the last days, but besides the stress, you may learn poorly and get a bad grade as a result
Step 2. Ask your teacher if there are records
If you have already taken multiple choice questions and the results were disappointing, you would do well to ask your teacher to give you past multiple choice questions in order to practice. If not, ask them what types of questions are asked.
- Use records to practice or find sample questions asked so you don't get confused on exam day. Study these MCQs conscientiously. Answer it and see what it looks like. Correct your revisions based on the results.
- If the teacher cannot or does not want to help you, try to see if any of your classmates have these types of tests. On the Internet, it is possible that you will find what you are looking for.
Step 3. Eat well and get enough sleep
The day before the exam, try to get a full night's sleep, of at least eight hours, so that you are well rested and have a clear head. Eat a balanced meal the night before and eat a good breakfast on the day of the exam.
Eat a good breakfast, rich in protein, vitamins and other nutrients. Have a hot or cold drink, with eggs with toast or fruit or yogurt with one or two granola bars
Step 4. Have a calm activity before the exam
The night before an exam, you can do a quick review of your lessons and then indulge in a leisurely activity, such as walking in the woods, listening to soothing music, or meeting a friendly friend over a drink.
Step 5. Study with trusted friends
Put off distractions and parties, it could make you miss the test and distract you when you work.
