How To Answer True OR False Questions

Many people hate true and false questions on tests. While the odds of getting them right are 50/50, they are usually intentionally confusing. There are some fail-safe tips on how to answer true or false questions. By keeping these principles in mind when taking a true or false test, it’s easier to get a better score.

First, be ready to guess. In a multiple choice test, it’s usually possible to narrow down the answer to two answers and guess from those two options. In a true or false test, that’s already done. Unless there is a penalty for guessing the wrong answer, that can be the best option. Even if there is a penalty, it may still be favorable to guess.

Second, reading comprehension is incredibly important. So many times, people miss the correct answer because they didn’t take the time to read through the entire question. Even if pressed for time, try to skim the question and make sure that it has been understood. Always watch out for longer questions that contain two statements. Test makers will connect two parts that are true, but link them in a way that the entire statement is false. Connecting these statements with words like “because” and “therefore” are indicators that it may be a false statement upon careful reading. Remember that the entire sentence has to be true in order to choose the true option for the answer.

Thirdly, be careful of generalizations. Very few statements are true all the time. For example saying that summer is warm is generally true, but is not the case for the entire world. If an example can be thought of where the statement made is false, then it is usually safe to choose false for the answer to that question. Watch out for absolutes like always, never, and others. Test makers don’t like to use absolutes since there is almost always an exception to the rule, and this can be an indicator that the statement made is false. Make sure to read the question though to understand what absolute is being made. If the question reads “May always comes after April” that is a true statement, but can easily be understood by understanding the statement.

Fourthly, words like “sometimes,” “usually,” and similar expressions are usually indicators that the statement being made is true. These are small details that can make all the difference in taking a test. Looking out for these words is an easy way to think about whether a question is true or false. If time is limited, searching for these words in the question can help cut down on time and still increase the changes of getting the correct answer.

These are a few tips on how to answer true or false questions. While every test is a little different, by following these tips, it is possible to do better on these tests and increase test points. Since there is a 50/50 chance of choosing the right answer, don’t agonize too much over one question. This advice should help to impove test taking ability.