Mine too. >.> (though I have been getting much better at it this year!)
Best ways to avoid problems with the Multi Choice section of the exams include: (And this is mainly for subjects like Modern, Ancient, and Legal).
- Practice, Practice, Practice. I know this is difficult especially for Ancient and Modern as last year was the first paper that included Multiple choice. But you might be able to ask your teacher for some practice questions (he/she might have some already, or might be able to design some for you). For Legal, you can use past papers and also this site:
http://www4.boardofstudies.nsw.edu.au/ for multiple choice practice (this is good as it is from actual past papers and also enforces time restrictions).
- Read questions and answers CAREFULLY! A lot of smart students mis-read the questions and/or the answers and thus lose many marks in exams.
- Don't rush! Yes, they are simple one mark response questions, but those single marks can and WILL add up, especially if you're exam is comprised of 10+ Multiple choice questions.
- Process of Elimination is (in my opinion) the best method to approach multiple choice. Physically put a cross near the corresponding choice you think is wrong and continue with the other options. As others have stated, they usually have one right out wrong answer, another wrong one, and then the last two will be close - but one will be subtly more correct than the other. If you know your content well (which for the WHOLE topics in Ancient/Modern/Legal I know is difficult, especially that they can ask on almost anything) you should be fine.
- Also remember, there is a different form of learning and studying for the Cores (especially in Modern and Ancient). You do not need to remember copious amount of information, primarily in Modern because the maximum long answer they'll ask it 8 (then you have the 10 mark source analysis). So make sure you're learning the information in terms of the structure of the examination.
- If you are having difficulty, SKIP IT. Don't ponder of it forever! DON'T OVER THINK the answer (I do this). Trust your gut instinct and your first impression. Look over your past attempts at multiple choice and try and remember what you were thinking when you answered. It helps if you put a mark or something near the two answers you were debating, that way later you can remember the logics behind your answer.
Much of what I have already said has been suggested by the other brilliant members of this site, but I think I added a few good points in my ramblings. Remember, most of what I've said was in reference to Modern, Ancient and Legal. I'm not too sure how you would approach multiple choice in economics. Good luck! n_n
