MCQ is meant to test the depth
and width of knowledge…..in medicine there is no guesswork. Hence any wrong answer
is penalised. No guessing is allowed. Here are some tips to help you answer the
multiple-choice questions.
a) Read the directions carefully.
- Clearly identify whether you
must mark the one best correct answer or all correct answers.
- Know if you will be penalized
for guessing;find out if an incorrect answer will cost you more points than a
blank answer. In other words, find out whether the minimum mark for a question
is zero or the mistake is carried forward to the next question.
b) Read the stem of the question
( the question itself as opposed to its options ) all the way through, then
read each possible answer all the way through.
- Use these options to provide
you with hints abouts things you need to know.
- If you are uncertain of the
correct answer, cross out the options you know are definitely wrong, then mark
the question so that you can reconsider it at the end of the exam.
- Circle all negative words and 100% words within the question stem and
options. !00% words are those that do not allow for exceptions, like all.
- All of the above answers are often correct. If you know two out of
three options are correct, all of the
above is a strong possibility.
c) If you’re not sure about a
number answer, toss out the high and low and consider the middle range numbers
c) If you have no idea of the
answer, check for look alike options to find what you consider the best answer
among them.
d) Check for the most inclusive
option – the option that contains the most information
( Adapted from Walter Pauk’s How to Study in College )
Last but not least, always say
the prayer before you make the choice for the best answer.
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