Test Taking Strategies

Here are some tips that may help you achieve a higher score on the test: Prepare for the test by reviewing the sample questions, reading the recommended material, and ensuring that you know the definitions of terms used in the test. Get a reasonable amount of sleep the night before your test. Eat a light meal before the test. Having food in your stomach will give you energy and help you focus. The three hour time limit means that it’s crucial to budget your time wisely. Don’t spend too much time on any one question. Since there are about 180 questions, you can take an average of one minute per question and still finish on time. That means you should have answered at least 60 questions after the first hour and 120 questions after the second hour. The testing software will constantly show you how much time you have left. Read each question carefully before you look at the answers. Misreading questions is the cause for a significant number of wrong answers. Come up with the answer in your head before looking at the possible answers, this way the choices given on the test won’t throw you off or trick you. Carefully read all of the choices and eliminate answers you know aren’t right. If necessary, take an educated guess and select an answer. Failing to answer question is the same as selecting the wrong answer, so guessing is better than ignoring a question. Don’t keep changing your answer; usually your first choice is the right one, unless you misread the question.