Top Tips and Tricks to Master MCQs in Competitive Exams

Hello friends! All of you have one question in your mind: how to do well in MCQ? From SSC, HSC to job exams, MCQ is a maze everywhere! Many people think, “Hey, it's just a tick, never mind!” But when the question comes to hand, the real challenge lies.

Keep one thing in mind, MCQ is not just a memorization test. It also tests your analytical ability, timing and stress management skills. In this article, I will talk about some proven and effective strategies based on practical experience, which will help you overcome the fear of tricky MCQs.

Understanding MCQ Types: Step 1

MCQ does not just mean choosing one out of four options. There are some types of this too, which are very important to know.

1. Common MCQ (Single Correct Answer): This is the most common type, where there is only one correct answer out of four options. Most of the questions in SSC and HSC exams are of this type.

2. MCQs with multiple correct answers (Multiple Correct Answers): In some competitive exams, like BCS or university entrance exams, there may be questions where more than one answer can be correct. But these types of questions are very rare nowadays.

3. Negative Marking: This is the most important issue. In some job exams (such as BCS Preliminary), marks are deducted for wrong answers. Suppose, 1 mark is deducted for 4 wrong answers. In this case, guessing answers are very risky. So you need to know how to manage negative marking in MCQs.

4. Matching and Assertion-Reason Type Questions: These types of questions require matching columns with columns or giving an assertion and a reason for it. Answering these questions requires deep knowledge.

Reading the question carefully: The key to success

Many students get even the questions they know wrong by just answering them in a hurry. This is a serious mistake! Therefore, there are some things that must be kept in mind while reading MCQ questions.

Identify keywords: Every question has some keywords. For example: “Which one is not?”, “Which of the following is not correct?”, “Which one is always true?”. These words indicate the real purpose of the question.
Note the negative wording: Not, Except”, Without— such words can completely turn the question upside down. For example: Which of the following is not a mammal?. If you do not notice this word ‘not’, you will give the wrong answer.
Note the qualifiers:Always, Never, All of the above, None of the above—these words are very important. When there are words like "always" or "never", the answer is usually very extreme. You should be careful with such questions.

Example:

Question: Which of the following was not a victim of the brutality of the Pakistani army during the Liberation War of Bangladesh?

a) Dhaka University b) Rajshahi University c) Jahangirnagar University d) Chittagong University

The keyword here is "never". This one word changes the meaning of the question completely. The correct answer is c) Jahangirnagar University, because it was not established during the Liberation War.

Effective Answering Techniques

It is very important to adopt some strategies or techniques to do well in MCQs. These will help you find the correct answers and eliminate the wrong ones.

1. Start with simple questions:

At the beginning of the exam, answer the questions which are easy for you. This will boost your confidence and give you ample time for tough questions. Leave the questions you are unsure about for now and come back later.

2. Elimination Method (Process of Elimination):

This is one of the most effective strategies for MCQs. When you can't find the right answer for sure, start eliminating the wrong answers. If you can eliminate two wrong options out of four options, the probability of a correct answer increases by 50%.

Example:

Question: Who wrote the poem “Agniveena”?

a) Rabindranath Tagore b) Kazi Nazrul Islam c) Jibananda Das d) Sukanta Bhattacharya

Suppose you are sure that Rabindranath and Jibanananda Das did not write this book of poetry. Then you have two options: Kazi Nazrul Islam and Sukanta Bhattacharya. Now it will be easy for you to find the correct answer.

3. Educated Guessing:

When you're stuck between two options, you can rely on an educated guess. Choose the possible answer using your previous knowledge and logical thinking. However, this technique should be used with caution in tests that have negative marking.

4. Longest Answer Strategy:

In some cases, the longest answer is more likely to be correct. This is because the writer has to add a lot of information to write the answer to the question in detail. However, this strategy may not be effective all the time. Therefore, it should be used only as a guess.

Time Management in the Exam Hall

How you use your time in the exam hall is very important to do well in MCQs. Let's know some secret techniques:

Distribute your time: Make a rough plan of how much time you will give to each question. Suppose if you have 60 minutes for 100 questions, you will get an average of 36 seconds for each question.
Answer all the easy questions in the first round: In the first 30 minutes, mark the questions that you are sure of.
Look at the difficult questions in the second round: Think about the questions that you have skipped. During this time, you can use techniques like elimination methods or educated guesses.
Revise in the last minute: Revise the answer sheet thoroughly in the last 5 minutes. Make sure that you have not made any mistakes in writing the roll number or any other important information.

To learn detailed strategies for managing your exam time efficiently, read our guide onHow to Manage Time Effectively During Exams

Pre-Exam Preparation

Just as preparation is essential before entering the battlefield, some special preparation is also necessary before the exam.

Take Mock Test: Take mock tests or model tests regularly. This will increase your understanding of time management and question patterns. how to practice MCQs effectively before an exam? Mock tests are the best way to do it.
Solve Previous Year Questions: Solving previous year question papers gives you an idea of question types, important topics and difficult question patterns.
Revise notes: Before the exam, don't just read anything new, revise what you have read repeatedly. Try to actively recall the information.

For a detailed strategy to prepare for SSC exams, check out ourSSC Exam Preparation Guide 2026

Mental preparation and confidence

In the examination hall, it is not only through studying, but mental toughness is required.

Go with confidence: Before entering the exam hall, say to yourself, "I can." Believe in yourself.
Control your emotions: Don't get nervous when you see a difficult question. Take a moment to pause, take a deep breath, and start thinking calmly. how to stay calm during MCQ exams? Staying calm is the best strategy.
Avoid second thoughts: When you are sure about an answer, think it over very carefully before changing it. Many times, the first thought is correct.

FAQs about Mastering the MCQ Exam Tips

How to avoid giving wrong answers in MCQs?

Read the question very carefully, especially paying attention to negative words (e.g. not) and qualifiers (e.g. always, never). Then eliminate the wrong answers using the elimination method.

How to memorize MCQs quickly?

Reading comprehension is more effective than memorizing quickly. However, you can use flashcards or quiz apps for memorization. Revising at regular intervals helps to embed the information in your memory better.

How to use your time efficiently in the exam?

Try to complete the entire exam in three stages: first the easy questions, then the medium questions, and finally the difficult questions. Don't waste too much time on any one question, skip it and come back later.

Finally, one thing...

MCQ preparation is not rocket science. With the right strategy, time management and confidence, you can easily master MCQs. Remember, it is not just memorisation but also thinking strategically that is equally important.

Practice regularly, take mock tests and follow these tips given by me. You will see that your exam results will be much better than before. If you have any other questions, then you can let me know by commenting below.

After your exams, you can easily calculate your results with our free tools and download your marksheet. Available calculators: