I find that many students do not score as well as they should on multiple choice tests, despite having a good grasp and understanding of the material. Often, students who score below their potential are making simple mistakes. Many of these students can improve their scores by using these Strategic Test Taking tips.

1. Slow Down!  A common mistake is speeding through the test in an effort to finish quickly and be done with the test. I get it - taking tests is not fun and can often be very stressful. But if you want to maximize your score, relax, slow down and CAREFULLY read each question and each answer. In fact, a best practice is to read the question and each answer multiple times before selecting an answer. Test designers take great efforts to "trick" test takers into thinking that one answer is correct when it is not. Make sure you read it at normal speed but then read it all again at a much slower speed. Look for the key word or phrase for that question - the one that the test designer is really asking. Don't worry about the clock. Most tests leave plenty of time to carefully read and re-read all of the questions and possible answers multiple times.

2. Turn Multiple Choice Questions into True False Questions - Yes, you read that right. Most multiple choice questions offer four answer possibilities. It is very hard for the human mind to focus on four possible answers. It's much easier to choose between two possible choices. So once you read and re-read the four possible answers, eliminate two of them immediately. These will be the two that make no sense. Two of the four will simply not fit as reasonably possible answers. So just cross them out (do this mentally if completing an online test). Then, carefully consider which of the two remaining is likely to be the correct answer. This will help  you immensely.

3. Beware the EXCEPT question. Many test takers get caught on these questions because they ask the student to choose the answer that doesn't fit. Only one answer will simply not be true, while the remaining answers are true or at least possible. Think of such questions as "Which of these answers is NOT TRUE?" You are looking for that one answer that cannot be the right one. Don't get hung up on these questions. They are easy once you start thinking about them strategically.

4. Math Questions. Use scratch paper and neatly write out the steps to solve each one. Do not rely on your memory or do steps in your head. Write down the solution step-by-step, even if you think the question is "easy". Test the answer using the "proofing method". Once you select an answer, test it by working backwards using that answer to see if it really works. My second tip for math questions is to carefully read the question and look for the one thing that the question is asking you to solve for. Math question designers often put a lot of superfluous information in the question. Don't let that extra data influence your choice of answers. There will often be other possible answers that you could arrive at using unnecessary information or data.

5. Don't Change Answers! I saved the most important tip for Strategic Test Taking for last. Students who finish the test early (see tip No. 1), often go back and use the extra time to review previously answered questions and often change right answers to wrong. DON'T DO THAT! Statistically, your first answer will be the right one. So don't fall into the trap of changing answers because you are second guessing yourself. Unless you have a compelling reason to think your first answer was wrong (the exception), stick with your first answer. It will most often be the right one.

I hope that these tips will help you reach your highest potential score.