On the first look, an MCQ paper might seem more effortless. After all, isn’t it just picking an option from the four? Yet, it’s equally challenging when every option seems like the right one.
That’s why focusing on the course material isn’t enough. It’s critical to be strategic about your MCQ exam cause CBSE exams are now MCQ based. Here’s how you can work smartly:
4 Strategies to Prepare for MCQ-Based Competitive Exams
#1: Plan your Time
With proper planning, you won’t feel like you lack time to tackle the important questions.
Now, suppose you have an hour. Here’s how you can plan it:
Divide it into four 15-min chunks.
For the first chunk, scan the paper and mark questions according to their difficulty level.
After that, pick all the low hanging fruits and get them out of your way.
Then, use the next half hour to spend on the difficult questions. Assess if the question is lengthy or complicated. Leave the questions that you don’t think can be solved for later.
In the final 15 minutes, tackle the difficult ones and don’t fret if you’re not able to solve these.
In your next practice test, give it a try and change it as needed for your needs.
#2: Read Mindfully
Spend quality time reading the question. Even if it takes you a little longer to read mindfully, it’s time well spent. Pay attention to words like ‘not’, ‘always’, ‘sometimes’, and others that might completely change their meaning.
Also, double-check the kind of answer they’re requesting. Sometimes, they ask you to pick the option that’s not the answer you’ll calculate. Or sometimes, multiple options might be the answer.
So, reading the question and the options carefully is an absolute must.
#3: Find Shorter Methods
Winning with MCQs isn’t about having the most knowledge. It’s about how you apply that knowledge to get answers.
Since there’s no step-wise marking, you can use different (and shorter) ways to find an answer. Finding reliable short-cuts to get answers quickly is critical when you know specific questions are bound to come.
In some cases, some formulas help you arrive at an answer quicker. This trick especially works for calculation-based MCQ exams.
P.S. If there isn’t a shorter method, practice mental calculation and skip out steps while solving a question. That can save time too.
#4: Look for Obvious Wrongs
Solving MCQs doesn’t have to involve solving for the right option directly. You could also eliminate the wrong options and pick the one that’s left.
If you can find wrong options, weed them out and focus on eliminating options further. We’ve seen this tactic to be quite effective.
Final Thoughts
When it comes to MCQ exams, the best strategy is to practice all these techniques before you sit for your final exam. With every practice, you’ll sharpen your skills and ace your exam.
Have a great exam!