True/False questions often include specific information, particularly definitions, terms, examples and details. It would be advantageous to review information in small but frequent segments. True or False questions are typically well liked by students and well received, however, if you have any difficulties with these types of questions, here are the Top 5 test taking strategies when it comes to this section of your exams.
Approach Each Statement As If It Were True
Approach each statement as if it were true and then determine if any part of the statement is false. Remember that for a statement to be true, EVERY part of that statement must be true. A sentence may appear to be true at first glance if it contains well known facts, however, if just one part of the sentence is not true, the entire statement is ultimately false.
Be Aware of Qualifiers
A qualifier is a word or phrase, especially an adjective, used to attribute a quality to another word, especially a noun. The presence of a qualifier may be a good indicator of what the answer to a true/false actually is. Modest qualifiers (such as Sometimes, Often, Many, Few and Generally) are more likely to reflect true statements while stricter qualifiers (such as Always, Never, All, None, Entirely, and Absolutely) most likely belong to false statements. These stricter qualifiers allow for very little or no exceptions and imply that the statements are 100% true 100% of the time.
Do Not be Confused by Negatives and Double Negatives
Remember that the presence of a negative or two will alter the meaning of the statement, and ultimately, your answer. In a case like this, remove the negative from the statement and determine if the new statement is true/false. If the new statement is true, then the correct answer would be false. Negative words include ‘No’, ‘Not’ and ‘Cannot’, as well as words beginning with the following prefixes: Dis, Un, Non, In, Ir, Im and Il. Statements with two negative words are positive.
For example: The statement “It is not uncommon for successful students to take advantage of extra credit when offered” is equivalent to the statement “It is common for successful students to take advantage of extra credit when offered”.
Some Statements Tend to be False: Longer and Reason Statements
The longer a statement is, the more likely it is to be false. This is due to the fact that it only takes one part of a mostly true statement to make it false. The length of the statement increases the possibility that at least one part of that sentence is not true. Read each word set and phrase individually and carefully. If one word set or phrase in the statement is false, then the entire statement is false. Reason statements also tend to be false. A reason statement contains words including ‘Because, Reason, When, If and Since’. Read the statement carefully because the reason given may be incomplete or simply invalid.
There are Usually More True Statements Than False Statements
If you find yourself having to guess, be aware that there are usually more true statements than false statements. Usually, it is more difficult to make a false statement look true than it is to make a true statement look false. Although there is a 50/50 chance of being right, you have a better chance of receiving the point if you select true. Additionally, if a statement contains extremely specific details such as listing the number of something, it is more likely to be true.
References:
Study skills: True/false test preparation tips and strategies. Study Skills: True/False Test Preparation Tips and Strategies. (n.d.). Retrieved April 26, 2022, from https://www.educationcorner.com/true-false-tests.html
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