Note: Guessing strategies are not a substitute for good study habits and test preparation. They are not
foolproof and will not guarantee the correct answer. They will, however, help when you are not completely
sure of the answer, must narrow down the choices or choose between two reasonably good answers.
- Frequency of Occurrence Strategy:
Look for items that appear in more than one of the choices - Root and Prefix Clues Strategy
Latin or Greek roots: Knowing these will help in gleaning a partial meaning of certain words - Negative Prefixes
Knowing these can help in selecting a similar answer with a negative meaning, for example:
(dis)- disorganized
(im)-imbalanced
(ir)-irresponsible
(il)-illogical
(in)-incomplete
(un)-unimportant - Eliminate Extremes
When numerical options vary greatly, chances are that the best response is in the middle ranges. Eliminate the highest
and lowest options. - Similar Choice Strategy
Certain questions have answers that are closely related or almost identical, except for one detail. This should be your
clue to choose one of the two similar answers. The similar choices cannot both be correct, but either of them may be the
correct answer. - Opposite Choice Strategy
In some cases, the best choice is between two very different or opposite choices. - Umbrella Option Strategy
When one option encompasses the other options or is more inclusive, choose it.
Choose a) - Avoid Absolutes
If an ‘absolute’ such as always, never, every, all, none, etc. is present, consider the option false. - The Exception or Most Different Answer Strategy
Read the question carefully and pick the option that is different from or does not belong with the other options. - Longest Answer Strategy
Sometimes the correct response is longer than the others. When more time is put into developing a response, chances
are it is correct. - Key Word Strategy
Choose a response that has the same or similar words in it as the question. - Grammatically Correct Strategy: Eliminate responses that are not grammatically correct
- Contextual Clues Strategy: Pay attention to the context of the question and look for clues that might guide you towards the correct answer. Consider the information given in the question and apply it to the answer choices.
- Process of Elimination Strategy: Eliminate options that you know are incorrect. This strategy becomes particularly useful when you can rule out one or more choices based on your knowledge.
- Logical Deduction Strategy: Use your logical reasoning skills to deduce the answer based on the information provided in the question. Sometimes you can eliminate choices that don’t logically fit the situation.
- Evidence-based Strategy: If the question provides a scenario or context, look for clues or evidence within the question that can help you select the correct answer from the choices.
- Visual Clues Strategy: If the question includes diagrams, graphs, or charts, examine them closely. Visual elements can often provide hints or lead you to the correct answer.
- Process of Inclusion Strategy: When options have overlapping qualities or include certain elements from the question, consider the option that includes those elements.
- Synonym or Antonym Strategy: Look for synonyms or antonyms of words from the question within the answer choices. This can help you identify the correct response.
- Historical or Cultural Context Strategy: For questions related to history, culture, or literature, consider the historical or cultural context that might guide you to the correct answer.
- Remember, while these strategies can be helpful, they are not foolproof. It’s essential to have a foundational understanding of the subject matter and to use these strategies judiciously. Additionally, prioritize thorough preparation and studying to maximize your test-taking success.
- https://www.cui.edu/uploadedFiles/Tests_-_Educated_Guessing[1].pdf?n=410