3 E՚s for High Score in Solving MCQs (Multiple Choice Questions - Objective Questions) YouTube Lecture Handouts

IAS Prelims & Mains GS and Optional Lectures, Model Answers, and Notes at doorsteptutor.com.

Get video tutorial on: Examrace YouTube Channel

3 E՚s for High Score in Solving MCQs (Multiple Choice Questions - Objective Questions)

3 E՚s for Solving MCQs

Success Secrets

Understanding MCQ

Question?

a. Distractor

b. Answer

c. Distractor

d. Distractor

a, c & d are distractors

Alternatives or foils

Stem

Objective Question

  • Standard question format with 4 alternative choices
  • Negative Questions (e. g. , make sure to read the word “NOT” if mentioned in question)
  • Subjective questions (e. g. Choose the option that BEST describes)
  • Judgment questions (e. g. Choose the MOST CORRECT answer)
  • Multiple answers (e. g. Choose MORE than one)

Benefits of MCQs

Why to get scared?

Answer lies on Question Paper Itself

Preparing for MCQs

  • Anticipate questions and major topics
  • Reproduce concepts on charts, diagrams, lectures and textbooks
  • Integrate information from vivid sources
  • Write learning stuff on posters and see them off and on

Preparing for MCQs

  • Through conceptual study
  • Focus even on minute details and concepts
  • Understand & memorize by lists and tables
  • Highlight major points
  • Brainstorm possible questions
  • Practice sample questions
  • Practice speed & accuracy

Preparing for MCQs

  • Old is gold. Practice previous years papers
  • Develop elimination: helps to differentiate answers
  • Learn by acronyms (VIBGYOR) & mnemonics
  • Know renowned personalities & contributions
  • Practice time management
  • Leave 8 - 10 minutes for final revision
  • Yogic breathing exercises for positive attitude

Know Yourselves

  • Analyze your strengths and weaknesses. Example,
  • Strength: Ability to answer questions under 30 seconds just after sleep during preparation.
  • Weakness: History of marking wrong choices even after contemplating on questions for 2 - 3 minutes.

MCQ Exam a Drive Test! !

Table of Drive Test and MCQ ExamTable of Drive Test and MCQ Exam
Drive TestMCQ Exam
General understanding of vehicle itselfExam pattern
Navigation skillsWhen to speed up & slow down
Know all traffic symbols & rules like high speed lane only to overtakeHurry up with questions only when essential
Give way to vehicles when needed to be safeSkip tough questions to save time
Look out on road for obstacles and slow downWatch out for tricky questions and don՚t fall in traps/distracter
Follow drive-test instructionsFollow the question՚s instructions as to what is expected from us

Answering MCQs: Forward Method

  • Make SURE to read other choices as well! !
  • Unexpected response: Try some tips & techniques like …

Answering MCQs: Backward Method

  • Find choice that you feel is definitely INCORRECT
  • Be it either yes or no, try some tips & techniques like …

Be the Wheat! !

Illustration: Be the Wheat! !
  • Reading choices first can mislead to incorrect answer
  • Try forward method before backward method!

Must Read!

  • Words like Except, Not, Never, Always
  • Remember two negative phrases form one positive phrases.
  • Formulas, units, value of constants

Twin Choices!

Confusion Predominates! ! !

Grammatical Matches

  • If the stem ends with the indefinite article “an” , “then” ________.
  • If question is in the singular then ________.
  • Gender similarities then ________

Length of Response

Longest response is often the correct one, because the instructor tends to load it with qualifying adjectives or phrases

Confidence Boosters!

Attempt theoretical questions before calculations

Spaced Practice

Illustration: Spaced Practice

Skipping: NOT Preferred!

Mark the question number for future reference, don՚t waste time searching

Can Change 1st Correct Response?

  • wrong to right 51% of the time
  • right to wrong 25% of the time
  • wrong to different wrong answer 23% of the time

Simulation

  • Try tests within time limits
  • Scrutinize your weak areas
  • Work on weak areas before next simulation test
  • Try next! Ask yourselves: Did you improve?

Example: Elimination

  • Which of the following is a support service on university campus?

(a) Pantaloons

(b) University Learning Centre (Answer)

(c) Wal-Mart

(d) All of the above.

When to Guess?

Educated Guess! !

  • Absolute word response like “always” or “never” are less likely to be correct than conditional word response like “usually” or “probably.”
  • “Funny” responses are usually wrong.
  • “All of the above” is often a correct response.
  • “None of the above” is usually incorrect response, but is less reliable than “all of the above” rule.
  • Look for verbal associations. Correct response repeats key words that are in the stem.

Example: Estimation

  • Calculate

(a) 983.418

(b) 984.318

(c) 981.841

(d) 982.042 (Answer)

Example: Extra Details

  • Ram won ₹ 50 at a skateboarding competition and spent it all on a new skateboard. His brother, Shyam, gave him an old board for the competition, but Ram broke it hours before getting the new one. This was after Shyam had told Ram he would buy him supper if he won the competition. Ram had ridden his new board for two hours when Shyam told him that the board was only worth half as much as the one he broke. How much did Shyam pay for the board that Ram broke?

(a) 75

(b) 90

(c) 100 (Answer)

(d) 120

Illustration: Example: Extra Details

Common Mistakes

  • Not reading the question carefully.
  • Not answering the question in your head first.
  • Not reading through all the answers
  • Not looking for clues in the text.
  • Taking too much time on one question
  • Changing first answer.

Be Positive! ! Don՚t …

  • Cram
  • Be Negative
  • Do Night-outs
  • Be Late
  • Expect to Know All

Manishika