The majority of 11 Plus entrance exams include multiple choice questions, and in many cases are exclusively multiple choice. Getting your strategy right when answering multiple-choice questions can save time, save mistakes and sometimes, save the day.
Here are our top tips for multiple choice exams in the 11 Plus:
1. Read the instructions.
Or to be more precise, read the instructions for the exam, for each section of the test, and for each specific question. Many tests, such as the Sutton SET for Nonsuch, Wallington, and Sutton schools, differ in their answer format question by question. Some questions require two or even an unspecified number of answers to be selected. Selecting one answer when multiple are required, or vice-versa, could cost you the exam. Tread carefully!
2. Read every question twice.
Sometimes, the simple tips are the most powerful. The devil is often in the detail, so encourage your child or student to read each question slowly, twice.
3. Do your confident questions first.
Go from start to finish and do all the questions you are confident with, first. This makes sure there is never an easy point around the corner when the test ends. When this is done, you can head back to the beginning of the test and start tackling some of the tougher questions. It’s also a great confidence booster.
4. Try to solve the question before looking at the answers.
Even cover them with a sheet of paper if it helps. There are often traps in multiple choice questions, answers that look to be the obvious choice but are there to trip you up. Wherever possible, decide what the answer is first, then look. Saving one unfortunate mistake could change everything.
5. When you don’t know the answer.
If you really can’t find the answer to a question, always select an answer. Start by deselection. Getting rid of any obviously wrong answers will increase your chances of selecting the right one. For example, every multiple of five ends with a five or a zero, so we can cross out every answer that ends with another number and dramatically improve our odds of selecting the right answer.
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