Taking Objective Tests

1.  Matching Tests

• Begin working with the column that has the fewer choices/items. That helps you to avoid wasting time trying to match an answer that doesn’t have a match.
• If both columns contain the same number of choices, begin with the item that contains the explanations as they may contain clues.
• After choosing an answer, somehow indicate that you have already used that choice and won’t spend time reading it again and again. However, do not mark through it so it can no longer be read. You may find out that a mistake had been made with an earlier item and you may then need to use the answer that had been blacked out.

2.  Fill-in-the-Blank Tests

• If you are not sure of the answer for any of the items, skip them, and move on to the next item. You may find the information in other items that will help you answer the items you initially skipped.
• If a word bank of possible answers has been provided, then identify in some way when a word has been used.

3.  True-False Tests

• Words such as "all" or "never" usually indicate that the statement is false. Be aware of the following words: all, always, every, only, none, never.
• There are some words that may be found more often in true statements: some, usually, seldom, sometimes, probably, mainly, often, except, rarely.
• Note the order of the statements. While the facts themselves may be correct, the sequence of the statement may cause the statement to be false.
• For an item to be true, the whole statement must be true. If any part of the statement is false, then the answer is false.

4.  Multiple Choice Tests

• Read the question. Stop and try to think of the answer before reading any of the answers. Then check to see if one of the answers is similar to the one you had.
• If you are not sure of the answer, begin by eliminating the answers that you know for sure are not correct. Then select the answer that seems to make the most sense. Try to choose a response that answers the question and relates to the topic that has been studied.

5.  Essay Tests

• Highlight in some way important direction words that tell you what you need to do.
• Questions that require you to write down all the relevant information you know often include the words such as: describe, discuss, explain, list, outline, prove, review, or state.
• Questions that require you to write down specific facts in specific way often include words such as: compare, contrast, compare and contrast, define, illustrate, or diagram.
• Questions that require you to write your opinion and back that up with facts may include words such as: criticize, evaluate, interpret, or justify.
• Number the various parts of items containing more than one part to help you remember to answer all of them.
• If time is running out, quickly outline your answers to the questions and don’t worry about producing complete sentence.