Mastering multiple choice questions- a must read!

More on mastering MCQ'S

 Watch your time.  Before you start writing, assess how much time you have per question.  Don’t spend too much time on any one question.  If you don’t know the answer, simply put an identifying mark in the margin, move on
to other questions, and come back to it later.  The answer will often come to you as you work your way through the test or exam.

 Underline qualifying words like “always,” “never,” etc.  These words are crucial because they can completely change the nature of the question.

 Read the stem thoroughly.  Then think of the answer in your mind.  But be sure to read all of the alternatives because the goal is to pick the best answer, not just one that is true.

 Watch for typos as clues to the best answer.  If one of the alternatives has a typo, it is probably not the key.  Test
writers usually pay a lot of attention to the proper wording and spelling of the key.
 Eliminate wrong answers and see what is left over.  Sometimes it is easier to identify the key if there are fewer alternatives to choose from.  In addition, it can be motivating to remove those options you know are incorrect.

 Beware of true statements that don’t address the stem.  Sometimes a test-writer will include true statements in the alternatives that don’t have anything to do with the question being asked.  This is because they know students will often pick a true statement simply because it looks familiar, even though it isn’t related to the stem at all.

 If two items have similar wording, one of the parallel statements is probably correct.  Students often struggle with those alternatives that look fairly similar. Once you eliminate the dissimilar alternatives, choose the option that gives the most complete information.

 In a question with an “all of the above” choice, if you see at least two true statements, then “all of the above” is the right answer.  This is self-explanatory.

 Be systematic with confusing MCQs with many alternatives, such as “all of the above,” “A, B and D,” etc.  Many students feel overwhelmed by MCQ’s that have many different alternatives to choose from.  Evaluate each alternative carefully.  It is tempting to read quickly but you must resist doing so in order to pick the best answer.

 Review your answers.  Always leave time to check your work.  That way, you’ll catch any careless errors, such as accidentally filling in the wrong bubble on your test sheet.

The Cycling method

How you “take” the test can affect your marks more than any other factor. To make sure you finish on time, and to reduce your stress, use a "cycle method" to work through your mutliple choice exam.

The cycle method works like this: instead of completing the test in numerical order, or in a “linear” fashion, you work through the entire test numerous times. It’s as simple as can be, but many people resist this approach. Don’t resist. Allow yourself to be flexible.

Use the first pass through to do a quick skim, without answering the questions. Repeat, answering the questions you know right away, and skipping those you don't. Keep working through the multiple choice exam in this fashion - each pass through, you'll notice you get a few more questions that you weren't sure of on the last pass.

Make sure you stick to the Cycle system of taking multiple passes through the material – don’t waste too much time on questions that you can’t answer in short order.

The multi-pass technique does wonders for time management. It allows you to be constantly aware of how much you have to do in the time remaining. Stick to it and you’ll finish on time every time.

Strategies for taking Multiple Choice Exams

a)    Read the question twice.

b)    Answer the question first without looking at the answers.

c)     Look at the answers and see if your answer is one of the four choices. 

d)    If it is among the answers, mark it and move on to the next question; if not, put a star or a check next to it and go on to another question.

Tips for toppers : Guessing intelligently

While no instructor will ever advocate guessing at the correct answer, a guess is sometimes all you are left with.  Just be sure that guessing is a last resort, and that you do it intelligently.

1. Do not guess until you have eliminated all the definitely wrong responses.

2. Do not make the questions more difficult than they are - The issue that jumps out at
you is likely the issue that the correct response addresses.

3. Be wary of answers that include absolutes - There are few things in medicine that are absolute.  Therefore, words like "must," "always," and "never" often (but not always!) indicate an incorrect answer.

4. If two answers are opposites, one is probably correct.

5.Be wary of answer choices from unrelated subjects or unstudied theories.

6. Trust your instincts – once you’ve narrowed your choices down to two options, trust  what your instincts are telling you.  In the background, your mind has processed through the question and your “instinct” is really your subconscious helping you make the correct choice.