Top Scoring Examination Strategies

1. Read the directions very carefully, or listen closely if given orally. If you are unsure of any direction at any time, raise your hand and ask a monitor. Many exams differ section to section — pay close attention to instructions for each.

2. Before you begin, verify you have all pages in the examination booklet. If any page is missing, immediately raise your hand.

3. Make sure you are marking the right answer to the right question. Skipping one question without skipping the corresponding number on the answer sheet can cost you the entire exam. Every five questions, verify that the number in your booklet matches the number on your answer sheet.

4. Mark only one answer per question. Do not make excessively large markings — most exams are computer-graded and a mark too close to another will be double-keyed, costing you credit.

5. If you need to erase, erase completely. No shadows.

6. If you come across a difficult question, don't spend more than two minutes on it. Mark it, skip it, and return at the end. When skipping, mark to the left of the number — not in the answer area — so you know to come back. Cross out eliminated choices in your booklet to narrow your options when you return.

7. Check the time regularly. On a 200-question, three-hour exam, you should be at question 100 with 90 minutes remaining. Check every 10-15 minutes.

8. Do not change answers unless you are absolutely positive you miskeyed. Studies consistently show that when test-takers change answers, 75-80% of the time they change a correct answer to a wrong one.

9. Don't be afraid to guess. Most firefighter exams score on correct answers only — there is no penalty for wrong answers. If you have three minutes left and 15 questions remaining, answer as many as possible; at minimum, fill in every blank.