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- Answer the easy questions first. Too often students focus on 1 question for 10 minutes; for example, instead of going on to answer 20 additional questions during this time. The main goal in this type of examination is to answer correctly as many questions as possible.
- Your first hunch is usually a good one. Pay attention to your intuition, which may indicate which answer "feels" best.
- Be wise about the timing. Divide your time. For example, if you have 90 questions and 1½ hours for the test, aim for an average of 1 question per minute. Keep working! Do not lose time looking back at your answers.
- If you cannot decide between two multiple-choice answers, make a note of the numbers of the two choices. This will narrow down your focus when you come back to this question. Leave the question; do not spend much time on those in doubt. When you have completed the test, go back and spend more time on those with which you had trouble.
- Exercise care and caution when using electronically scored answer sheets or booklets. It is essential that you use only the type of pencil or ink specified in the instructions. If erasing is possible, be sure to erase completely; a mere trace might throw out the answer.
- When using a separate answer sheet or booklet, be especially careful to mark your answer in the space for the correct question number. It might be helpful to say to yourself as you answer each question, "Choice No. 4 to question No. 3," to make sure that the right answer goes with each question number.
- Stay the entire time allotted. If you complete the test early, check your answers. On a second look, after you have completed the test, you may find something that you are now sure you marked in error the first time. If you were undecided between two possible answers on any questions, use leftover time to reconsider those answers. (Also, look for and erase stray marks, if using electronically scored answer sheets.)