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| Objective Tests |
 • Read the stem as if it were an independent, free-standing statement. Try to anticipate the phrase that would complete the thought expressed, then compare each answer choice to your anticipated answer. It is significant to read each choice, even if the first choice matches the answer you expected, because there may be a better answer listed.
• Another evaluation technique is to read the stem together with each answer choice as if it were a true-false statement. When the answer makes the statement a false one, cross it out. Check all the choices that complete the stem as a true statement. Suspend judgment about the choices you think are true until you have read all the choices.
• Beware of words like not, but, except. Mark these words because they specify the direction and limits of the answer.
• Also watch out for words like always, never, and only. These must be interpreted as meaning all of the time, not just 99% of the time. These selections are frequently incorrect because there are few statements that have no exceptions (but there are a few).
• If there are two or more options that could be the correct answer, compare them to each other to determine the differences between them, and then relate these differences with the stem to deduce which of the choices is the better one. (Hint: select the option that gives the most complete information.)
• If there is an encompassing answer choice, for example "all of the above," and you are able to determine that there are at least two correct choices, select the encompassing choice.
• Use hints from questions you know to answer questions you do not.
• If you do not find an answer, try to relate each answer to the stem to evaluate which one logically completes the thought.
• Make educated guesses—eliminate options any way you can.
True-False Questions:
True-false questions are also a popular question type. They have only two options. Your odds are always 50-50 with this type of item. Normally, testmakers tend to focus on details in true-false questions.
• Testmakers often mismatch items or names with inappropriate events or definitions.
• In order for a statement to be true, it must be so 100% of the time. It means each part of the question. You must evaluate the trueness of WHO, WHAT, WHY, WHERE, WHEN, and HOW for each statement.
• Beware of words that qualify and give specific meanings. Such words like usually, not, some, usually denote true statements, but make sure to interpret each statement as a special case.
• Another type of word, such as always and never, should be interpreted as meaning without exception. When you can think of an exception, the statement is false.
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