Key Study Skills

This page provides a range of ideas about answering multi-choice and short answer questions in exams.

Multi-choice questions

• Do not read all the questions through first. You will waste much less time if you just read each question as you come to it.
• Read all the alternatives. The first answer may be a good answer but it may not be the best answer.
• If you do not know the answer, eliminate those that are definitely wrong and then select your best guess (unless there is a penalty for incorrect answers).
• Do not spend long working out the answer. Keep in mind how much the question is worth.
• Do not change answers for questions you have already completed unless you can see an obvious mistake. In most cases your first choice is more likely to be correct.

Answering Short Answer Questions in Exams

• Make clear and concise points
• Keep answers short:  usually 2-3 sentences or a short paragraph.
• Even if you are unsure of the answer, write something! It’s better to get a few marks than nothing at all.
• If you don’t have enough time, list points or write in note form.
• It’s helpful to make notes before you answer the question.
• Read the question carefully at least two times and pay attention to the instruction words (for example list, describe, compare)
• Identify the parts of the question and what steps are required to answer the question.

Chase the marks - use the number of marks for a question to guide you in terms of how many points are required for each question. In general, if a question is worth 3 marks then you would expect to make 3 points.