How do you perform on multiple choice exams versus essay? Forum

[z0mbiecatz1234]

The only exams I have this semester are MC. I'm wondering how you find you perform on MC compared to the traditional unlimited word count issue spotter. I'm pretty nervous for multiple choice exams actually considering I have done fairly well on essay exams.

Do you prefer one over the other? What makes MC challenging? How do you change your studying for a MC over an essay exam, if at all?

[BVest]

I actually performed equally well on MC as I did on essay. (I say this comparing my performance on different halves of mixed exams, and on my overall performance in classes with MC vs essay). The one difference is my MC exams went faster.

As for prep, I don't recall studying significantly differently, except for the obvious aspect of not writing practice essays.

[z0mbiecatz1234]

I'm definitely looking forward to MC exams going by faster. I completely forgot I won't have to write practice essays...

[mds79]

The only exams I have this semester are MC. I'm wondering how you find you perform on MC compared to the traditional unlimited word count issue spotter. I'm pretty nervous for multiple choice exams actually considering I have done fairly well on essay exams.

Do you prefer one over the other? What makes MC challenging? How do you change your studying for a MC over an essay exam, if at all?

I always did better on MC exams than essay exams, mostly because I didn't feel nearly as time-pressured on MC questions; unsurprisingly, I definitely preferred MC.

They can be challenging (depending on how good the professor is at writing questions), but applying MC test strategy works fine to narrow down choices, and usually the correct answer is fairly obvious if you know the subject. No change to studying; you'll still want to outline fully, but yeah, no need to write practice essays. I would recommend that you do some practice questions though, assuming your professor makes some available. They can give you a good idea of how the professor approaches MC questions.

[z0mbiecatz1234]

The only exams I have this semester are MC. I'm wondering how you find you perform on MC compared to the traditional unlimited word count issue spotter. I'm pretty nervous for multiple choice exams actually considering I have done fairly well on essay exams.

Do you prefer one over the other? What makes MC challenging? How do you change your studying for a MC over an essay exam, if at all?

I always did better on MC exams than essay exams, mostly because I didn't feel nearly as time-pressured on MC questions; unsurprisingly, I definitely preferred MC.

They can be challenging (depending on how good the professor is at writing questions), but applying MC test strategy works fine to narrow down choices, and usually the correct answer is fairly obvious if you know the subject. No change to studying; you'll still want to outline fully, but yeah, no need to write practice essays. I would recommend that you do some practice questions though, assuming your professor makes some available. They can give you a good idea of how the professor approaches MC questions.

I hope I do better on MC exams too! I have flashbacks of rushing through my Property exam feeling like I could sit there all day and not have enough time... Did well on it surprisingly but it was no fun rushing. I'm excited to (hopefully) feel less time pressure.

[lavarman84]

I much prefer essay to multiple choice exams. I'd say I do very slightly better on essay exams than multiple choice based on my average GPA on each. But I like the opportunity to explain myself. Plus, I take exams ridiculously quickly. Usually finish about an hour early. So exams that cause other people to feel crunched for time benefit me.

Ultimately, though, I wouldn't say there's much difference in my results. Same feeling of uncertainty after the exam. I guess essays make me feel a little better because I could at least explain my thought process rather than guess at an answer.