Multiple choice ...is sometimes a test in english comprehension and not understanding... I have no doubt that they are challenging, but an accomplished student can always win over an accomplished subject matter expert.
Effective multiple-choice technique:
Analyse the question:
What is it actually saying?
what is the Boolean logic? Sort out all the NOTs/ANDs/ORs to find out what they are really asking
Any tricks?
Analyse the ANSWERS as much as the question: the answers are full of clues
Eliminate the obvious wrong answers. Usually you are now down to two
If the answer is not obvious, always re-read the question, more slowly this time
Look for a subtlety in the wording of one that would eliminate it. Some ITIL questions asked "which is the BEST..." so one answer is MORE right than the other.
Now make a value call to pick from any remaining options
When all else fails, guess. Usually you are down to two so you have a 50/50 chance. ITIL doesn't penalise wrong answers, so you might still like those odds.
If two choices overlap or mean essentially the same thing, both are probably incorrect (unless there is a choice of all of the above or both B & C)
Watch for absolutes such as all, none, always, never, only. Circle these words and realize that they usually indicate a false choice, unless you recall the lecturer emphasizing an absolute statement during lecture (sorry ! you would have to attend a course for that one !)
If there are "partner choices," usually the correct answer will be one of them. (Partner choices are opposites or have one or two words different.)
Look out for questions which may answer other questions.
Highlight negatives in the question so you don't mistakenly answer
"Best describes" usually means "find the answer that has nothing wrong with it"
The longest answer is sometimes the correct answer. it takes more words to explain stuff...
Effective multiple-choice technique:
Analyse the question:
What is it actually saying?
what is the Boolean logic? Sort out all the NOTs/ANDs/ORs to find out what they are really asking
Any tricks?
Analyse the ANSWERS as much as the question: the answers are full of clues
Eliminate the obvious wrong answers. Usually you are now down to two
If the answer is not obvious, always re-read the question, more slowly this time
Look for a subtlety in the wording of one that would eliminate it. Some ITIL questions asked "which is the BEST..." so one answer is MORE right than the other.
Now make a value call to pick from any remaining options
When all else fails, guess. Usually you are down to two so you have a 50/50 chance. ITIL doesn't penalise wrong answers, so you might still like those odds.
If two choices overlap or mean essentially the same thing, both are probably incorrect (unless there is a choice of all of the above or both B & C)
Watch for absolutes such as all, none, always, never, only. Circle these words and realize that they usually indicate a false choice, unless you recall the lecturer emphasizing an absolute statement during lecture (sorry ! you would have to attend a course for that one !)
If there are "partner choices," usually the correct answer will be one of them. (Partner choices are opposites or have one or two words different.)
Look out for questions which may answer other questions.
Highlight negatives in the question so you don't mistakenly answer
"Best describes" usually means "find the answer that has nothing wrong with it"
The longest answer is sometimes the correct answer. it takes more words to explain stuff...
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