First:  establish you've got a real question, not a 'gimme'  question which you can answer in 3 seconds.                             

                                                                        

Second:  Read the question carefully.  Think what you believe the answer should be.  Glance at the answers quickly and see if it’s there - if so, just put a dot next to it.                           

                                                                        

Third:  Diagram the sentence.  Underline the object of the sentence, find the modifiers of the object and box them, circle the verb, etc.  Be sure you know what the question is asking you!                                                                    

                                                                         

Fourth:  Consider each answer, one at a time.  If you can eliminate an answer, write a few words to the right of the answer proving why it's wrong. Example:  No S in DNA.  Flies don't make milk.                                                         

                                                                        

Fifth:  Now you should be down to two or three possible answers.  Read the question, then the first possible answer.            

Consider it; is it really true, always true, or just mostly true. 

Example:  Dogs chase cats.  This is only mostly true.            

 

Consider each answer in turn by first reading the question, then the next answer.  This helps focus you on what the *question* is saying!  Many distractors are true, but don't apply to the question!                                                  

                                                                        

Sixth:  Choose the best answer and bubble it in now!  Your first guess is almost always the correct one.                           

                                                                        

Seventh:  Once you've made your choice, there are only two possible conditions when you can change it:                              

                                                                        

       Seven (a) - as you go through the rest of the test, you find a new fact (or remember a new fact) which absolutely changes your answer.  This is a good strategy, as we will almost always offer information elsewhere in a large test that answers other questions.

                                                      

       Seven (b) - you realize you have misread the question            

                                                                         

That's my system for serious multiple-choice questions.                 

 

Consider trying it when you're challenged by tough ones!