Top Ten Helpful Hints for the Multiple Choice Test
1. Know what to expect on the multiple-choice part of the AP test.
Complete all the practice exams in at least one prep book (like Arco or REA) and do your best in all practice exams we take in class.
Don’t waste precious time reading directions (since you’ll already have them memorized) and trying to figure out what comes next (since you’ll be thoroughly familiar with the test format).
2. Study.
When we are in class, you’ve got to pay attention and put forth 100 percent effort. I will help prepare you for the exam, but it’s your responsibility to put for the effort.
If you are still having trouble with multiple choice tests despite our in-class practice, then you need to more reading, writing, and studying on your own.
3. Use your time wisely.
The multiple-choice questions are arranged in order of difficulty, from least to difficult to most difficult. Most test takers get many of the easy questions correct, but a few students get the most difficult questions right. Since every question is worth the same number of points, you’re better off spending your time making sure you get the easier and middle questions right rather than rushing to finish the entire multiple-choice section.
4. Develop a strategy.
There are three ways you can approach any multiple-choice test:
*1. Work from beginning to end, answering every question in order. Answer every single question, even if you have to guess.
*2. Answer the easy questions first, then go back and
work on the harder questions.
*3. Answer the harder questions first, and then go back and
answer the easy ones. I personally
do not recommend this one.
None of these test taking methods is right or wrong. However, for most people, Method 2 works best. If you decide to use this strategy, answer the easier questions first and then go back to figure out the more difficult ones.
As you work from the beginning to the end, put a checkmark next to any question you skip. Write in pencil so you can erase the checkmarks to avoid leaving stray marks. When you get to the end of the multiple-choice questions, go back to the beginning of the section and start answering the items you skipped.
5. Slow down!
If you work too fast you risk making careless errors. You’re better off skipping a few of the last (most difficult) questions rather than working so fast that you make costly blunders.
6. Guess.
If you can eliminate any of the answer choices, it’s always in your favor to guess. The more choices you can eliminate, the better your chances of selecting the right choice. Don’t just guess randomly, but if you can eliminate some choices, guessing is likely to earn you some extra points.
7. Use process of elimination.
Multiple-choice test writers know that you’re looking for the correct answer, so they include a lot of answers that look correct but are really wrong.
Rather than looking for the right answer, start by looking for the wrong answers. Start by eliminating these ringers because each wrong answer you knock out brings you one step closer to finding the correct answer.
8. Think before you switch answers.
Don’t go back and change answers unless you’re absolutely sure that your second choice is correct. Studies have shown that in nearly all cases, your first choice in more likely to be correct that subsequent choices, unless you suddenly recall some relevant information.
9. Stay calm.
The answer is in the passage; you just have to find it.
10. Deal with panic.
Take a deep breath and do your best.
Source: Arco: Master the AP