Multiple-Choice

Examinations

How to study for them;

How to answer the questions.
You are not asked:
To produce a correct answer as an
original thought process

You are asked:

To recognise a correct answer among
a set of options that include 3 or 4
wrong answers
Are MCQ exams easy?
Correct answer is there guaranteed!

MCQs often concentrate on basics

(definitions, basic concept clarification,
etc);

An individual wrong answer carries a low

penalty (as opposed to losing the plot in
an essay).
Are MCQ exams difficult?

Often, yes very tricky!

Requires knowledge of a very broad range

of material (specific dates, names, word
meanings, events);

You need to know your work so well that

you can discount the distracters;

Difficulties with the English language

danger of misunderstanding / ambiguity.
How to prepare for MCQ exams
Begin studying early longer study time
means better long-term memory of details;

Identify and understand thoroughly

everything emphasised in class;

Study your class notes and assigned

readings, making lists, tables, summaries;

Do not learn by simply repeating book

definitions know what these mean.
 How to answer MCQs
Read the stem, or body, of the question
while covering up the options;

Anticipate the right answer while covering

up the options before youre distracted;

Now uncover the responses;

If you see the response you anticipated,

circle it and check that none of the others
are better.
 If you do not see your
correct answer . . .

Statements using absolute words

always, never are often wrong. Prefer
often, usually, probably.

Funny answers are usually wrong;

All of the above is often a correct answer

if you can verify that two or more of the
other options are correct;

None of the above less often;

 If you do not see your
correct answer . . . (cont.)
Be very careful of double negatives;

Look for grammatical clues;

If the stem ends with an, and you

need to choose the missing word that
would complete the sentence, the
answer likely starts with a vowel;

If the stem ends a, a consonant.

 If you do not see your
correct answer . . . (cont.)
A long option is often correct qualifying
adjectives or phrases may ensure
correctness;

A correct option may repeat key words

that are in the stem;

If nothing else works, then b. and c. are

more likely to be correct than a. (!)
 Housekeeping

Complete all pieces of required

information on your answer sheet;

Name;

ID Number;

Student Number;

Date;

Every other piece of required info.

 Housekeeping (cont.)

Rub out all your pencil markings the

computer reader penalises stray marks;

Take time to check your work before

handing in your answer sheet.
 Acknowledgement

The material in this presentation was adapted

from work done by the Center for Teaching
Excellence at:

people.uwec.edu/ivogeler/multiple.htm

University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, USA