Exam strategy:

[lazaward]

Hi everyone,

When it comes to multiple choice questions I tend to circle the answer on the paper first then once I’ve finished my exam I go over multiple choice and cross out the correct answer on the seperate multiple choice sheet. I just wanted to know if this is a bad technique since it wastes a bit of time, I do feel like it stops me from making silly mistakes though such as circling B instead of A. Does anyone else do this or am I the only one? I’m doing the UMAT this year too and I’m worried that if I use this technique I won’t be able to finish the exam but I’ve gotten really used to it.

[Sine]

Hi everyone,

When it comes to multiple choice questions I tend to circle the answer on the paper first then once I’ve finished my exam I go over multiple choice and cross out the correct answer on the seperate multiple choice sheet. I just wanted to know if this is a bad technique since it wastes a bit of time, I do feel like it stops me from making silly mistakes though such as circling B instead of A. Does anyone else do this or am I the only one? I’m doing the UMAT this year too and I’m worried that if I use this technique I won’t be able to finish the exam but I’ve gotten really used to it.

I don't personally do it but I've heard a few people do it so you are not alone. For the UMAT it probably isn't the best since most people are rushed for time and you don't want to be rushing in the final minutes trying to get your answers down There is also a possibility that you don't get all your answers copied down.

[Quantum44]

Hi everyone,

When it comes to multiple choice questions I tend to circle the answer on the paper first then once I’ve finished my exam I go over multiple choice and cross out the correct answer on the seperate multiple choice sheet. I just wanted to know if this is a bad technique since it wastes a bit of time, I do feel like it stops me from making silly mistakes though such as circling B instead of A. Does anyone else do this or am I the only one? I’m doing the UMAT this year too and I’m worried that if I use this technique I won’t be able to finish the exam but I’ve gotten really used to it.

With 134 questions in the UMAT, it’s going to waste a lot of precious time. You’re certainly better off practicing circling straight onto the answer sheet and doing a quick check immediately after.

[www]

Going straight to the answer sheet would be best, but to get the best of both worlds: I would recommend marking the answer you intend to choose on the paper for that question, then mark it on the answer sheet immediately after (rather than what you're doing now).

I've done this for all MCQ tests/exams that have separate answer sheets and it seems to work well in reassuring me that I didn't mark in the wrong option, whilst not putting me at risk of not getting all my answers marked in.

[Sine]

Going straight to the answer sheet would be best, but to get the best of both worlds: I would recommend marking the answer you intend to choose on the paper for that question, then mark it on the answer sheet immediately after (rather than what you're doing now).

I've done this for all MCQ tests/exams that have separate answer sheets and it seems to work well in reassuring me that I didn't mark in the wrong option, whilst not putting me at risk of not getting all my answers marked in.

yes! I also do this makes it easier if you are checking answers (although usually checking over doesn't happen in the UMAT that often).

[Yertle the Turtle]

Hi everyone,

When it comes to multiple choice questions I tend to circle the answer on the paper first then once I’ve finished my exam I go over multiple choice and cross out the correct answer on the seperate multiple choice sheet. I just wanted to know if this is a bad technique since it wastes a bit of time, I do feel like it stops me from making silly mistakes though such as circling B instead of A. Does anyone else do this or am I the only one? I’m doing the UMAT this year too and I’m worried that if I use this technique I won’t be able to finish the exam but I’ve gotten really used to it.

I tend to do this too, but I would say that while it may not be the best technique, it does work quite well. I know nothing about the UMAT, but from the little I have heard you may want to do something a little more time-efficient, like marking it on the paper with a mark next to the question to show the ones you are less certain about so that those are the ones that you can come back to if you have more time at the end.

[PhoenixxFire]

What I do, and what my teachers tend to recommend is to cross out any MC answers you know aren't correct. This at least narrows it down if you end up having to guess. If you're lucky you will have 1 answer left, if not you pick the best of the remaining answers and draw a big asterisk next to it so you can come back to it if you have time. I wouldn't leave them just in case you run out of time - you're effectively throwing marks away if you don't have time to copy them across. I would recommend that even if you're not entirely sure on the answer, do what I said above and pick one on the answer sheet - at least that gives you a chance at getting the marks.