Today we have a guest blogger who has his own slant on test taking techniques that I thought would be helpful since there are a number of you that might be looking to add some of the new Microsoft certifications to your resume. George Garza is from our Fort Worth, Texas office and is an MCSE, MCT, MCTS and holds CompTIA certifications in A+ and Security+. George refers to a blog from a couple of weeks ago entitled, “How to take a test”, and supplies some additional ideas on how to choose the right answer when all you can do is guess. If you don’t know the answer to a question, here are some techniques that you can use to eliminate answers so that you can make an educated guess. First of all, Microsoft tests are multiple choice, except those that have simulations attached to them. The simulations ask you to complete an assignment, usually simple enough if you know what you are doing, and not really meant to trick you. But if you don’t know what you are doing…then look out. It doesn’t matter if they are simple or not. They’ll be hard. Most simulations will take from 5 to 10 minutes to complete. Next, the point of the multiple choice questions is to eliminate the answers that make the least amount of sense as applied to the question. If you know the material, you can usually eliminate 2 or three answers right away because they don’t apply to the question asked. But here are some additional hints to help you.
- The answer is in the question. Re-read the question, look for key terms that appear in the question that may appear in the answer. This will not always work but if you have eliminated other possible answers and you are left with two choices
- Answers may differ by only one word. If you are trying to eliminate possible answers, then look for answers that are similar, and may differ by only one word. This usually tells you that you are on the right track; so re-read the answers and select the answer that makes the most sense. You may not be 100% sure, but you are looking for ways to eliminate other answers and this is one such way.
- Answers are long in relation to other answers. This may be an indication that the additional detail provided may be what the question is actually looking for.
- Answers may be short in relation to other answers. This may be part of the the old KISS approach. (Keep it Simple Stupid.) Again look at the question. A short answer may all that is called for.
- An answer may look different than all the other answers. Suppose three out of four answers start with the word configure, but one answer starts with the word disable; this may be an indication that the question is looking for a specific approach to a task.
These are just some approaches to use when you are trying to eliminate answers and make your educated guess.
