Answering Multiple-Choice Questions

Six-step approach

1) Read the stem carefully to become familiar with the item and to determine the command words that indicate the desired action. 2) Read the stem again and identify relevant words or groups of words based on the identified command words. 3) Attempt to generate an answer to the stem. 4) Examine each option completely before moving to the next option. 5) Attempt to identify the best option. 6) Utilize deductive reasoning strategies .

Deductive reasoning strategies

*Absurd options* Many times a multiple-choice item will include an option that is not consistent with what the stem is asking or with the other options. In many cases, this option can be eliminated. Rapid elimination of specific options will allow candidates to spend additional time analyzing other more viable options. *Similar options* When two or more options have a similar meaning or express the same fact, they often imply each other's incorrectness. For this reason, candidates can often eliminate both options. *Obtainable information* There is a great deal of factual material that candidates must sift through when taking the NPTE-PTA. In some instances, the material can provide candidates with valuable information that can assist them when answering other examination questions. *Degree of qualification* Particularly in the sciences, there seems to be many exceptions to general rules. Therefore, specific wording such as "always" or "never" often overqualify an option.

Multiple choice questions

*Item* An item refers to an individual multiple-choice question and the corresponding potential answers. Each item consists of a stem and four options. *Stem* The stem refers to the statement that asks the question. Typically, the stem conveys to the reader the necessary information needed to respond correctly to the question. In addition to the necessary information, extraneous information may be included in the stem. This information when not recognized by the candidate as unnecessary, often can serve as a significant distracter. The stem can be expressed in a positive or negative form. A positive form requires a candidate to identify correct information, while a negative form requires a candidate to identify incorrect information. *Options* The options refer to the potential answers to the question asked. One option in each item will be the "best answer" while the others are considered distracters.