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.