5 Rules (and One Secret Weapon) for Acing Multiple Choice Tests

Summary

This educational video script offers valuable strategies for acing multiple-choice tests. It advises against the common myth of 'always choose C' and instead presents evidence-based tips. These include skimming the test first to prime the brain, using the 'Hard Start, Jump to Easy' technique to engage focus mode, reading questions twice to avoid traps, and double-checking answers as you progress. It also introduces a 'secret weapon': using statistical analysis to guess when truly stuck, based on the biases in how humans write tests. The video emphasizes that these tactics should complement thorough preparation for exams.

Takeaways

• 📚 Skim the test first to get an overview and answer easy questions to prime your brain for the rest of the test.
• 🔍 Look for hints or answers to other questions within the test, as some questions may contain details relevant to others.
• 💪 Start with a difficult question to engage your brain's focus mode, then move on to easier questions to allow subconscious processing.
• 👀 Read each question twice to avoid common pitfalls like missing the word 'not' or overlooking the most correct answer among multiple correct options.
• 🔄 Double-check answers at the end of each page to catch mistakes early and reduce the chance of overlooking errors.
• 🌟 Use context-dependent memory by visualizing the learning environment to help recall information better.
• 📉 In multiple-choice questions, there's often a bias against the same letter being correct consecutively, suggesting the next likely answer.
• 📈 'All of the above' or 'none of the above' answers are correct 52% of the time, making them a good guess when stuck.
• 🎯 Use statistical insights as a last resort when you're completely unsure, not as a substitute for actual learning and preparation.
• 🛠️ The 'Tiny the Tiger' technique is a playful way to describe the strategy of alternating between difficult and easy questions to utilize both conscious and subconscious thought.
• 📈 Preparation is the most crucial aspect for success in any test, and the speaker offers a resource called 'The Ultimate Guide to Acing your Final Exams' for more effective studying.

Q & A

What is the common piece of advice often given for multiple choice tests?

The common advice is to choose option C when in doubt, a tip that seems to come from various sources including family, teachers, or the internet.

What does the speaker suggest doing first when you receive the test paper?

The speaker suggests taking a few minutes to skim through the test to get a general overview of the questions and answer any that are very easy or very familiar.

Why is skimming the test before starting beneficial?

Skimming the test helps prime the brain for the questions and details on the test, which can be useful for triggering memory and identifying potential hints or answers to other questions.

What is the 'Hard Start, Jump to Easy' technique mentioned in the script?

The 'Hard Start, Jump to Easy' technique, also humorously renamed 'Tiny the Tiger' technique, involves spending a few minutes on a difficult problem and then moving on to easier ones, allowing the subconscious to work on the difficult problem in the background.

Why is it important to read each question on the exam twice?

Reading each question twice is crucial to avoid missing key details such as 'not' or 'all of the above/none of the above', which can lead to incorrect answers if overlooked.

What is the purpose of checking answers at the end of each page instead of waiting until the end of the test?

Checking answers at the end of each page ensures that you review a smaller number of questions, reducing the chance of overlooking mistakes, and increasing the likelihood of catching errors before the test is completed.

What is context-dependent memory and how can it help with recalling information during a test?

Context-dependent memory is the phenomenon where humans are better able to remember information when they are in the same context or location where they learned it. Envisioning the learning environment can activate this type of memory and potentially help recall information during a test.

What does the speaker suggest using as a 'secret weapon' when you are completely unsure of an answer?

The speaker suggests using statistical analysis of multiple choice tests to exploit the tendencies of how humans write tests, such as the likelihood of certain answer choices being correct based on the number of options or the format of the question.

According to William Poundstone's research, what is the most common correct answer for five-answer questions?

According to Poundstone's research, the most common correct answer for five-answer questions is E, with C being the least common correct answer.

What is the speaker's final advice on the most important aspect for success in multiple choice tests?

The speaker emphasizes that the most important aspect for success in any test, including multiple choice tests, is preparation and suggests checking out 'The Ultimate Guide to Acing your Final Exams' for more effective study techniques.