mcq techniques

Multiple Choice Questions

22ndAugust 2015Prepared & Compiled by Y Van Oordt1

Techniques on how to approach Techniques on how to approach MCQ’s MCQ’s

Identify questions you can answer easily and initially skip those which appear to be more difficult.

Adhere to the time allocated on the proposed timetable.

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BEFORE THE ASSIGNMENT/EXAMBEFORE THE ASSIGNMENT/EXAM

(if permitted)(if permitted)

Start by answering the easier questions that you have identified.

This will ensure that you obtain marks for concepts you are familiar with and fully understand. Don't waste time pondering over difficult questions at the start.

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DURING THE ASSIGNMENT/EXAMDURING THE ASSIGNMENT/EXAM

Do not attempt to answer the question if you do not fully understand what is being required of you.

Read the questions carefully and more than once, if necessary.

Underline/highlight key words in the question.22ndAugust 2015Prepared & Compiled by Y Van Oordt4

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By having answered the easier questions first, you would have gained confidence thus allowing you to attempt the more difficult questions initially skipped.

Sometimes the questions could overlap (e.g. the answer to one question could be a clue to the answer of another question).

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Think of the possible answer before looking at the options provided.

This should assist you in identifying the most logical answer to the question.

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Consider the “Cover-up” strategy by reading the question and try to answer it before looking at the various options.

Consider the “True/False Label” strategy by labelling the alternative options as true or false and then look for logic in the answers.

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Possible answers could differ by only one or two words/concepts. To eliminate confusion, read and identify the actual part of the question in conjunction with each option given.

Work methodically and apply your thinking to the options. This will enable you to make logical sense of the options by eliminating those that don't correctly answer the question.

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Use the hint of similar pairs. Often the answer is part of more than one very similar options and the "most correct“ answer is the one that correctly uses course concepts/terminology.

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Be aware of terminology which links questions or options to key areas of the lectures, or chapters. This may assist you in reducing the number of possible choices and think through to the best answer. Be alert of descriptive words that over describe to such an extent that incorrect terms are included/excluded from the statement.

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Be cautious of words such as “not” and “never” as these words change the meaning of the statement.

These words are often contained in the actual statement and in the options.

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Look for some of these possibilities: oThe style of an answer option is very different from the rest;oThe sentence structure of the actual question is not aligned with the grammar of an option; oThe option is not in the area or topic of the question, but comes from another part of the course.

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IF YOU MUST GUESSIF YOU MUST GUESS...(apply the ...(apply the “way of elimination” technique)“way of elimination” technique)

After you have attempted all the questions in the exam and you still have time remaining, use this time to review your answers.

BE PREPARED TO CHANGE YOUR ANSWER:

Only if you are 100% certain and can identify a good reason why your first response is incorrect.

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AT THE END OF THE AT THE END OF THE ASSIGNMENT/EXAMASSIGNMENT/EXAM

Exercise the key concepts with the objective to become fluent.

Many courses equip students with tools in the form of theoretical models which students are expected to discuss and apply.

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SOME SUGGESTIONSSOME SUGGESTIONS

Therefore, preparation needs to focus on understanding key concepts, their relationships/interconnections, the ability to discuss and demonstrate the concepts using examples.

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SOME SUGGESTIONS, cont...SOME SUGGESTIONS, cont...

Remember, you are looking for the best answer, not only a correct one, and

Not one which must be true all of the time.

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GENERALGENERAL

22ndAugust 2015Prepared & Compiled by Y Van Oordt17

Good Luck!.Good Luck!.