Test Taking Skills
Test taking skills are specific skills that allow individuals to utilize
the characteristics and format of a selected examination in order*
to maximize their performance. These skills can be valuable when
taking an examination such as the NPTE-PT. Despite the importance
of this topic, very little, if any, academic time is set aside to address
test taking skills. The good news is that test taking skills can be
learned and that through dedication, desire, and determination
these skills can serve to improve examination performance.
The NPTE-PT consists of multiple-choice questions with four
potentially correct answers to each question. Candidates are
instructed to select the "best answer" to complete each question.
Before exploring selected test taking strategies, we need to identify
the various components of a multiple-choice question. Multiple-choice
questions can be dissected into specific identifiable components:
Item
An item refers to an individual multiple-choice question and the
corresponding potential answers, The NPTE-PT contains 200
scored items and 50 pre-test Each item consists of a stem
and four options. Items may vary content and length, but should
utilize a consistent format.
Stem
The stem refers to the statement that asks the question. Typically,
the stem conveys to the reader the necessary information needed
to respond correctly to the question. In addition to the necessary
information, extraneous information may be included in the
stem. This information, when not recognized by the candidate as
unnecessary, often can serve as a significant distracter.
The stem commonly takes on the form of a complete sentence or
an incomplete sentence. The stem can be expressed in a positive
or negative form. A positive form requires a candidate to identify
correct information, while a negative form requires a candidate
to identify incorrect information. It is important to scrutinize each
stem, since a single key word such as "NOT," "EXCEPT" or "LEAST"
can turn a positive stem into a negative stem. Failure to identify this
can lead to the identification of an incorrect answer.
Options
The options refer to the potential answers to the question asked.
One option in each item will be the "best answer," while the others
are considered distracters. Options can take on a variety Of forms,
including a single word, a group of words, an incomplete sentence,
a complete sentence or a group of sentences. The method for
analyzing each option does not change, regardless of form.
Approach for Answering Multi le-Choice Ques •on
On the NPTE-PT there are 250 items (200 scored, 50 pre-test) that
candidates must answer within a five hour time period. Due to the
length of the examination and the time constraints associated with
it, candidates need to approach the examination in a systematic
and organized fashion. Loss of control during the examination will
yield poor results that are not reflective of a candidate's actual
knowledge. To assist candidates the impact of this
potential pitfall, we will introduce a approach to utilize
when answering sample examination items.
The following six-step approach is recommended as a method for
answering examination items:
I. Read the stem carefully to become familiar with the item
and to determine the command words that indicate the
desired action.
2. Read the stem again and identify relevant words or groups
of words based on the identified command words.
3. Attempt to generate an answer to the stem.
4. Examine each option completely before moving to the next
option.
5. Attempt to identify the best option.
6. Utilize deductive reasoning strategies.
The six-step approach begins with a candidate reading the stem.
Candidates should read the stem initially to become familiar with
the item and to determine the command words that indicate the
desired action. Once this has been determined, candidates can
reread the stem and attempt to extract the necessary components
including relevant words or groups of words.
Perhaps the most important step in the six-step approach is to have
candidates attempt to generate an answer to each question based
on the identified command words. This is the only opportunity
a candidate will have to objectively evaluate the question prior
to exposing each of the options. Once a candidate exposes the
options, they are no longer able to examine the question in a fully
objective manner and instead become more likely to have their
interpretation of the question influenced by a presented option.
If for some reason a candidate is unable to generate a specific
answer, they should attempt to think about the general topic and
recall related information. Once a possible answer is generated,
candidates should then begin to examine each option one at a
time. It is important to read the entire option, since one word can
often make a potentially correct answer incorrect. If the generated
answer is consistent with one of the available options, the candidate
should give the option strong consideration, however, since more
than one option can be correct, it is imperative to analyze each
presented option.
If candidates finish analyzing an item and are still unable to
select one of the available options they should consider using a
deductive reasoning strategy. Deductive reasoning strategies
allow candidates to improve examination scores without direct
knowledge of subject matter. This type of strategy should be
applied only when candidates are unable to identify the correct,
response using academic knowledge. Deductive reasoning
strategies often allow candidates to eliminate one or more of the
potential answers. Elimination of any option significantly increases
the probability of identifying the correct answer. On the NPTE-PT,
eliminating one option increases the chance of selecting a correct
answer from 25% to 33%. Eliminating two options increases the
chance of selecting a correct answer to 50%. On the surface, this
may not seem terribly significant, however, on an examination such
as the NPTE-PT, this can often be the difference between a passing
and a failing score. Selected deductive reasoning strategies that
can be used effectively on the NPTE-PT are presented.
Absurd options
Many times a multiple-choice item will include an option that is not
consistent with what the stem is asking or with the other options.
In many cases, this option can be eliminated. Rapid elimination
of specific options will allow candidates to spend additional time
analyzing other more viable options.
Similar options
When two or more options have a similar meaning or express the
same fact, they often imply each other's incorrectness. For this
reason, candidates can often eliminate both options.
Obtainable information
There is a great deal of factual material that candidates must sift
through when taking the NPTE-PT. In some instances, the material
can provide candidates with valuable information that can assist
them when answering other examination questions.
Degree of qualification
Particularly in the sciences, there seems to be many exceptions
to general rules. Therefore, specific wording such as "always" or
"never" Often overqualify an option.