How to pass Multiple choice tests
Important notice - This material is copyright of SimBus Aviation Ltd.
There is no substitute for solid preparation and knowledge, but the following hints will improve your scores on multiple choice tests:-
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There are some great resources and videos on-line to help you practise such as tecmath
Read the Question! - This is the most important single piece of advice for multiple choice tests. Answer the question you have been asked, not the question you wished you had been asked. Then read it again !
Time your test. Usually there will be a countdown timer provided if it is an online test. If it is a written test, you may need a watch and the operator may or may not remind you to take one to the procedure, so make sure you are wearing one. The use of mobile phones and other devices as timers will almost certainly not be allowed during the test. If all questions carry equal marks (which is usually the case), calculate how long you have for each question, so that you can keep a constant awareness of your time-keeping.
Make sure you understand the rules - How much time do you have ? Are marks deducted for incorrect answers (i.e. is it worth guessing an unknown response) ? In the case of a listening exercise (e.g. memory test), do they play it more than once ?
If you do not know the answer, try to eliminate the other responses - rather obvious, admittedly. However, see the next point.
If you are unsure of an answer, move on and come back to this question at the end. It is critical to keep an eye on the time for this. On many computerised tests there is a grid on the screen that shows which questions you have (and have not) answered. If you guess when you first get to the question, it will be shown as answered, and you will not be able to easily find it and other questions you were unsure of, as they will be 'hidden' among the questions shown as answered. If you wait to make your best guess, you can easily identify the ones that are unanswered at the end. This is the way we advise pilots to do the test for three reasons:-
i. You may find another question that hints at the correct answer (or more likely, eliminates a wrong answer) in another part of the test.
ii. You may remember something that will help you with the problem question during the rest of the test.
iii. Reading the question freshly (later) after answering other questions, may give you a better perspective of what is being asked.
Look for negative or limiting words, such as 'not' 'only' and also plurals and make sure you answer the question accordingly.
Ask yourself if your answer makes sense. E.g. the result of a multiplication will be bigger than the factors given (unless one of them is less than 1) - Just sense-check everything. Have you answered in the correct units (e.g. metres or kilometres). What does the question ask for?
Use common sense ! This will help you eliminate wrong answers. For example, multiplying a list of numbers - If ONE of the numbers is even, the answer will be even - so eliminate any answers that are odd !
Pay attention to bold type, italicised or underlined words in the questions - they are there for a reason, and usually to help you !
Guess all unanswered questions near the end of the test if you are running out of time and there is no (negative marking) penalty. A chance at a correct answer is better than no answer.
If the test is paper-based multiple choice, with opposing options in the answers - e.g. 'If temperature goes up density increases/decreases and pressure increases/decreases .......' - cross out incorrect answers on the question paper, to order your thinking.
Next - How to pass group exercises