1. Make sure that you understand the testing format. If the exam is being proctored, make sure you listen to all of the instructions.
Carefully read all the directions that are given.
2. Make sure that you are making your answers in the correct section of the answer key. Look at the answer sheet to determine if the items
are arranged vertically or horizontally.
3. During the examination, check your watch periodically so that you can keep track of the time remaining.
4. When you receive the examination, scan
over the entire test and determine the number of questions contained. This will give you an idea of how long you will have for each question.
5. Read each question carefully. Try to answer
the question before you look at the choices. If you know the answer, compare it to the available choices and choose the most correct choice.
6. Find and underline words that harden or
soften statements. Words such as "all", "never", "none" and "every" harden a sentence by indicating there are no exceptions. As a rule, alternatives with these words have a lesser chance of being
correct. Words such as "sometimes", "may", "generally", and "possibly" soften a statement and leave more room for the alternative to be correct. "And" means that one element of the alternative must be
present or true in addition to the other for the alternative to be correct. "Or" means that there is a choice of situations. Only one element of the alternative must be present or true in order to be
correct.
7. When you go through each of the questions on the examination, answer the easy questions first and leave the more difficult ones until you have answered all the questions that your are sure
of. This will prevent you from spending too much time on any one question and will ensure that you will have time to respond to and receive credit for every question that you answer correctly. Whenever
you do skip a question, be sure to identify it as skipped in your test booklet, and do not forget to come back to it. For example, you may want to put a small slash on the left of the number on your answer
key. Do not put the slash to the right of the number since these exams are graded by computer scanners and this slash could be interpreted as an answer. Sometimes after going through the questions in the
examination, another question will bring to mind the answer to a previously skipped question.
8. Test-taking surveys have shown repeatedly that the first answer that comes to your mind is usually the
correct one. When you change it later, you will often change it to an incorrect answer. If you are looking over a question and you are not sure what the answer is, put a slash next to the alternative
that first came to your mind. When you go back over this question and still are not sure which choice is correct, you will remember which one came to your mind first.
If you finish the examination
before your allotted time, go back and review the examination. Do not go back to change answers unless you are absolutely sure that the answer is incorrect. For example, if you meant to be "B" down and
instead marked "C", change it. When reviewing, ensure that you have answered the question that corresponds to the number on your answer sheet.
9. When marking your answers on the answer sheet, be
sure to erase any errors completely. Again, computer scanning is used to determine correct answers on your answer sheet. If you leave any type of mark or shadow in an answer that you erased, the computer
may interpret it as having two answers for one question and you will receive no credit.
10. If you come to the end of the examination and find that there are 10 minutes left and you have 20 questions
to answer, quickly speed-read all the questions and put an alternative down. On the vast majority of promotional examinations, they are graded on the number of correct answers compared to the total number of
questions. You are not penalized for guessing. Be sure to fill in an answer for every question.