MULTIPLE CHOICE EXAMS STRATEGIES FOR TEST TAKING

1
MULTIPLE CHOICE EXAMSSTRATEGIES FOR TEST
TAKING

• Nova Southeastern University
• Shepard Broad Law Center
• Critical Skills Program
• Legal Study Skills 2006

2
THE STRUCTURE OF A MULTIPLE CHOICE PROBLEM

• THERE ARE THREE PARTS TO A MC QUESTION
• ROOT-HYPOTHETICAL FACTS
• STEM-CALL OF THE QUESTION OR ASSIGNMENT OF TASK
• OPTIONS-CHOICE OF ANSWERS

3
ROOT

• The root contains the underlying facts, some
  relevant, some irrelevant.
• Sometimes there may be an independent root with
  additional or different facts that applies to a
  set of questions-read carefully!

4
STEM

• The stem contains the call of the question or the
  assignment of the task. It may
• ASK A QUESTION
• ADD ADDITIONAL FACTS
• ASK YOU TO ASSUME SOMETHING
• ASK YOU TO PLAY VARIOUS ROLES
• REMEMBER-READ CAREFULLY!

5
OPTIONS

• Of the 4 options, only 1 is most correct
• The remaining 3 options are incorrect for various
  reasons-often they are distractors or foils

6
DISTRACTORS

• Distractors may be compelling and confusing and
  will send you in the wrong direction by sounding
  too good to pass up.

7
FOILS

• A foil makes some options look good that
  shouldnt, or makes the correct option look bad
  -often on an emotional or gut-level basis.

8
Common Examples

• The reasoning mischaracterizes the facts.
• The reasoning is legally wrong.
• The answer choice, though wrong, is factually
  or legally correct.
• READ CAREFULLY!

9
Issue Spotting in MC

• Multiple Choice exams require a modified issue
  spotting technique.
• Identify the central issue in the fact pattern.
• Identify what issue each response is addressing.

10
Modifiers

• Most multiple choice answers have three distinct
  parts
• A result
• A modifier and
• Reasoning to support the result.

11
Because as a Modifier

• This answer can only be correct if
• The reasoning addresses and resolves a central
  issue
• The facts in the question completely satisfy the
  reasoning.
• The result is consistent with the reasoning.

12
If as a Modifier

• In order to be correct, the reasoning need only
  be plausible under the facts.

13
Compare

• Because - reasoning is unequivocally in the facts
• Vs.
• If the reasoning must only be plausible.

14
Working Through the Modifier Option

• Identify the modifier
• Analyze the reasoning to see if its correct.
• If the reasoning is incorrect (e.g., it misstates
  the law or the facts), the answer cannot be
  correct.
• If the reasoning is correct, analyze the modifier.

15
Example - Root

• Husband (H) and Wife (W), walking on a country
  road, were frightened by a bull running loose on
  the road. They climbed over a fence to get onto
  the adjacent property, owned by Grower (G).
  After climbing over the fence, H and W damaged
  some of Gs plants which were near the fence.
  The fence was posted with a large sign, No
  Trespassing.
• G saw H and W and came toward them with his large
  watchdog on a long leash. The dog rushed at W.
  G had intended only to frighten H and W, but the
  leash broke, and before G could restrain the dog,
  the dog bit W. If H asserts a claim based on
  assault against G, will H prevail?

16
Example Stem Options

• Yes, because the landowner did not have a
  privilege to use excessive force.
• Yes, if H reasonably believed that the dog might
  bite him.
• No, if the dog did not come in contact with him.
• No, if G was trying to protect his property.

17
KNOW THE LAW!!!

• If you know the legal rules, elements or
  principles that underlie the issue, you will be
  able to recognize and ignore distractors and
  foils.

18
Five Common Traps to Avoid

• Incomplete definitions and arguments
• Assuming Facts
• Common Errors
• Obvious answers
• Plausible creations

19
TO SKIP OR NOT TO SKIP?

• PROS OF SKIPPING
• Allows you to focus on answers you are confident
  you can answer correctly.
• Stressing over 1 question too long negatively
  affects your timing on an exam.
• Addressing the easier questions first may build
  confidence for the difficult ones you skipped.

• CONS OF SKIPPING
• You may forget to return to the question.
• Skipped questions may linger in your mind,
  causing confusion with other questions.
• Blank spaces may be incorrectly filled.

20
APPLYING CRITICAL READING AND THINKING SKILLS
RECAP

• Read the stem (call of the question) 1st.
• Read all options carefully and completely.
• Think about what concepts or theories are
  indicated by the call and options.
• Carefully and completely read the root (fact
  pattern).

21
ANSWERING THE QUESTION

• Reread each option carefully and completely.
• Read every option.
• Eliminate obviously incorrect options.
• Watch for absolutes in the options.
• Pick the option that goes the furthest in
  answering the question.

22
2ND GUESSING

• Your first choice is usually the best. Before
  you change the answer
• Consider how certain you are that your original
  answer was incorrect.
• Compare the option you think is correct to the
  facts and rule to see if it fits.
• If you are still uncertain ask yourself how
  strongly you felt about it when you originally
  answered it.