Taking True-False Tests
When asked, students often say that they prefer true-false tests. However, the true-false format makes it very difficult to earn a high test score. Learning how to maximize scores on true-false tests will significantly increase test scores. True-false sections remain the staple of many teacher-constructed tests. Here are the tips to “ace” any true-false section on your next test.
1. Read the true-false statement twice before choosing an answer. Test-takers frequently say that this strategy helps eliminate rushing though a test and answering impulsively.
2. True-false tests can be very tricky. Look first at the statement as being true, then if any part of that statement is false, then the whole statement must be false.
3. True-false tests tend to have slightly more true statements than false. Therefore, if you must guess, guess “true.”
4. The longer the true-false statement, the greater is the chance that it is false because it only takes one part of the statement to be false to make the whole statement false.
Example
The moon orbits an average of 240,000 miles away from the earth, has craters and mountains, and is made of cheese.
5. Statements that show cause-effect tend to be false, unless an Exception Word is used. Words or phrases such as the following:
Examples
- because
- caused
- resulted in
- is the reason that
indicate cause-effect relationships.
Example
Only one U.S. president has been elected four times, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, and this caused financial chaos.
6. Extreme statements tend to be false.
Example
Japanese automobiles are all more reliable and cost less than American automobiles.
7. If an Absolute Word such as the following:
- all
- only
- every
- completely
- none
- always
- never
- best
- worst
- absolutely
is found in an answer choice, the answer choice tends to be false because these words do not allow for exceptions.
8. If an Exception Word such as the following:
- some
- most
- sometimes,
- frequently
- often, usually
- maybe
- many
- generally
- partially
is found in an answer choice, the answer choice tends to be true because these words do allow for exceptions.
9. Finally, make sure to guess, if not sure of your answer choice.
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