Is it better to guess one letter on multiple choice?

Asked by: Gregoria Stroman  |  Last update: November 13, 2023
Score: 4.8/5 (41 votes)

After they've done their best on all the questions they think they could answer, then quickly guess the rest (as long as it won't count against them). It's best to pick one letter and guess with the same letter throughout the test. It statistically improves the chances of guessing more right.

Is it better to guess randomly or one letter?

Don't choose random letters

Although your chances of answering questions correctly when you guess without eliminating a single option are slim, they will be much higher if you stick with a single letter option every time you need to guess blindly.

What's the best way to guess on a multiple choice test?

Try to make an educated guess. Always use the process of elimination as a first step. Use the wording of the question or answer as a clue to eliminate possibilities. Choose the most precise answer.

Is C the best answer for multiple choice?

On tests with four choices (say, A, B, C, and D), B was slightly more likely to be correct (28%). Remember, the expected likelihood of each option being correct is 25%. And on tests with five choices (say, A, B, C, D, and E), E was the most commonly correct answer (23%). C was the least (17%).

What is the most common letter on a multiple choice test?

However, the most general assumption is often that 'C' is the correct answer, due to which it can be called the most popular multiple choice answer.

5 Rules (and One Secret Weapon) for Acing Multiple Choice Tests

24 related questions found

Is C usually the correct answer?

Myth 2: C is the best guess letter and is right more often than any other letter. C or H are right (and wrong) as often as any other answer choice. The only guess letter you don't want to use when you are completely guessing is E or K because they only show up on the math test.

Is C the best answer on the ACT?

So, ultimately, guessing C (or any letter!) will give you the correct answer only a statistical 25% of the time (20% on the math section). Which means it's NOT true that choosing C will give you a better rate of success than choosing any other letter for your blind guessing.

Should I guess B or C?

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.

Why do you choose C?

C is a powerful programming language that enables developers to create sophisticated software systems. The language is fast, efficient, and easy to learn, making it a popular choice for many applications. C is also portable, meaning that programs written in C can be easily ported to other platforms.

Why do you choose C on a test?

Tests are often constructed so that one option is more attractive to someone who doesn't know the answer but guesses. So whenever you have no idea it is better to have a rule that has nothing to do with the actual text of the answers. Choosing option C is such a rule.

How do you outsmart multiple choice questions?

4 ways to outsmart any multiple-choice test
  1. Ignore conventional wisdom. ...
  2. Look at the surrounding answers. ...
  3. Choose the longest answer. ...
  4. Eliminate the outliers.

How do you get a high score on a multiple choice test?

Multiple-Choice Test Taking Tips and Strategies
  1. Read the entire question. ...
  2. Answer it in your mind first. ...
  3. Eliminate wrong answers. ...
  4. Use the process of elimination. ...
  5. Select the best answer. ...
  6. Read every answer option. ...
  7. Answer the questions you know first. ...
  8. Make an educated guess.

What is the ideal number of options in a multiple choice test?

Research suggests that the three-option format is optimal for multiple choice questions (MCQs). This conclusion is supported by numerous studies showing that most distractors (i.e., incorrect answers) are selected by so few examinees that they are essentially nonfunctional.

Is your first guess usually right?

There is a folk psychological belief that says it is best to go with one's first instinct when making a decision or considering a course of action. Yet, we know that this is not always true, and so there is a lingering sense of needing to think more and more carefully.

What is the best letter to guess on the SAT?

Guess any letter for any question. It doesn't matter if you guess A,B,A,B or A,A,A,A or any variation. Your expected number of correct answers are equal—actually, you'll actually do sliiightly better by guessing randomly on every question.

Is C still relevant?

C exists everywhere in the modern world. A lot of applications, including Microsoft Windows, run on C. Even Python, one of the most popular languages, was built on C. Modern applications add new features implemented using high-level languages, but a lot of their existing functionalities use C.

Why is C so easy to learn?

Compared to other languages—like Java, PHP, or C#—C is a relatively simple language to learn for anyone just starting to learn computer programming because of its limited number of keywords.

Is it worth to learn C in 2023?

C is widely used in industry, which means that there are many job opportunities for C programmers. Many popular operating systems, such as Windows and Linux, are written in C. C is a popular language for learning programming concepts. It is simple and straightforward, making it a good choice for beginners.

How do you guess and get it right?

When you first read a question, try not to look at the choices or cover them with your hand to avoid doubting yourself and getting stuck. Try to make a guess off of the top of your head. Then, read the choices and see if any of them are close to your guess. Eliminate outliers and the highest and lowest numbers.

What is the most common answer choice on the SAT?

In other words? There is no most common answer on the SAT. Ultimately, guessing C (or any letter!) will give you the correct answer only a statistical 25% of the time. Which means it's NOT true that choosing C will give you a better rate of success than choosing any other letter for your blind guessing.

Is it better to guess True or false?

If it will not negatively impact your score, and you're unsure of the answer, make an educated guess. You have a 1 in 2 chance of being right. However, truth be told, often true/false tests contain more true answers than false answers. So if you're completely unsure, guess "true".

How do you always get multiple choice questions right?

10 Tips For Taking Multiple Choice Tests
  1. 10 Tips For Taking Multiple Choice Tests. ...
  2. Begin studying early. ...
  3. Read the entire question… ...
  4. Eliminate what you know is wrong. ...
  5. Begin with the questions you know! ...
  6. “All of the Above” and “None of the Above” ...
  7. When there are seemingly two right answers. ...
  8. The more information the better.

What is the most common answer on the ACT test?

Sometimes it seems like “C”—or its equivalent, “H”—is the most common answer choice, but this is merely a myth. In fact, the answer choice orders on the ACT and SAT are generated by a computer and are entirely random.

Has anyone gotten a 1 on ACT?

The absolute minimum ACT score you can get is a 1, although this is very unlikely to happen. You might be more worried about getting a score high enough to get into college.