I'm sure you've heard this at some point “if you don't know the answer, always guess C. because it's the most common correct option”. That's just a myth, and generally there are no most common answers on multiple choice tests.
C isn't any better or worse than any other letter, or any more likely to be the correct answer, but if you decide to stick with it for every blind guess you make, you'll be better off than trying to be "random."
For most of the ACT, there is no “best” letter to guess. Except… at the end of the Math section — then there is a best letter to guess on the ACT. Most people (and tutors) tell students that, if they have no idea on a question, to just guess answer choice “C” — the middle answer on most multiple choice tests.
There's no universally ``correct'' letter to guess on a multiple-choice test, but you can improve your odds with these evidence-based heuristics and practical tactics. Choose C or B first. Large analyses of real exams often show a slight overrepresentation of middle letters (C and B) among correct answers.
Every answer choice on the SAT will have a statistically even distribution of 1 in 4 for each answer choice letter, A, B, C, or D. In other words? There is no most common answer on the SAT.
You may have heard that the correct answer is most often (C). We don't know how this rumor got started, but it is definitely not the case.
A perfect SAT score is 1600, which is the highest score you can get on the test. It means you did exceptionally well across both sections of the exam - Reading and Writing, and Math - and stayed accurate from start to finish.
Tips & Tricks for Mastering Multiple Choice Tests
I'm sure you've heard this at some point “if you don't know the answer, always guess C. because it's the most common correct option”. That's just a myth, and generally there are no most common answers on multiple choice tests.
Studying for the Test
Percent Correct from eight SAT tests: A - 22.3% B - 26.7% C - 25.3% D - 25.7% Although (B) is slightly more common as the correct answer in this sample of 8 tests, all options are right about 25% of the time on the SAT. The point is, choosing (C) is fine, as consistent use of any LOTD should earn you points over time.
Study regularly leading up to the exam, and try to organize your notes in a way that makes them easier to remember. Making flash cards, using mnemonic devices such as acronyms, drawing concept maps, or whatever suits your learning style and can help you learn more efficiently.
You won't lose points for wrong answers on the ACT, so guessing is better than not answering at all! Your ACT test score is calculated by averaging the scores you get on each of the four required sections: English, math, reading, and science.
Grammatical Flaws
For example, if the stem asks for a pleural answer, don't include singular options in the choices. This is also true for nouns and verbs. Do not use verbs in the choices if the question seeks a noun answer. Cues. Another common grammatical mistake is to provide cues.
Answer: 70% of 20 is 14.
According to some scholars (Thompson, 2001; Hughes, 1989; Alderson, 1996; Heaton, 1990; Underhill, 1991), there are four traditional categories or types of tests: proficiency tests, achievement tests, diagnostic tests, and placement tests.
In some cases, the best choice is between two very different or opposite choices. When one option encompasses the other options or is more inclusive, choose it. If an 'absolute' such as always, never, every, all, none, etc. is present, consider the option false.
The correlation between formats is 0.64. For 13 items, the short-answer form is at least modestly easier than the MCQ form; however, the short-answer form is more difficult for most items.
Look for Clue Words and Numbers
question and the correct answer often have verbs of the same tense and have nouns and verbs that agree. Underline familiar words or phrases from the lecture or textbook. Be aware of degrees of correctness. With numbers one choice is usually too small or too large.
Let's be clear: it's not true that C is the “most common answer” on a given test. It's straight-up not, and guessing based on that is tantamount to relying on thaumaturgy to improve your SAT score. It's a poor excuse for strategy and preparedness.
at more than 130, a number gleaned from his reported SAT score. A circulating screenshot shows Fox News has pegged the number at 155, citing Sociosite, a junk website.
Jeff Bezos and Steve Ballmer were both high school valedictorians, and Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerberg's SAT scores were reported to be 1600 (back in the 20th century, when it is exponentially harder to get a 1600 than today, where today's 1600 is worth somewhere like a 1550 back in 1972, during Bill Gates's senior year ...
Remember: Even if you miss 10–12 total questions across both sections, you may still score 1400–1450. To break 1500, aim to keep total missed questions to around 6–7, distributed across harder modules.