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Eliminating incorrect options

In multiple choice, removing options you know are wrong raises your chance of a correct answer and often reveals the right one.

What is tested

  • Ruling out impossible answers
  • Using estimation to eliminate
  • Making an informed guess

Worked example

5 options remain, but you can rule out 3. What is your chance of guessing right now?

  1. Two options are left.
  2. Chance = 1 in 2 = 50%.

Answer: 50%

Exam-day checklist

  • Cross out options that are clearly wrong.
  • Estimate answers to remove extreme options.
  • Check each remaining option against the question.
  • Guess only after eliminating.

Common mistakes

  • Guessing before eliminating.
  • Eliminating an option too quickly.
  • Not reading all options.

Try it yourself

1. You can rule out 2 of 5 options. What is your chance of a correct guess?

Show answer

1 in 3

Three options remain.

2. For 48 ÷ 6 the options are 6, 8, 9 and 42. Which can you rule out straight away?

Show answer

42

Dividing 48 by 6 must give a much smaller number than 48; the answer is 8.

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More topic guides

Ratio and proportionPercentages, fractions and decimalsAlgebra: equations and sequencesProbabilityVerbal reasoning: codesVerbal reasoning: logic and orderingNon-verbal reasoning: sequences and matricesEnglish: inference and comprehensionArithmeticNumber and place valueFractionsDecimalsProportionNumber sequencesGeometry: angles and shapesMeasurementTimeMoneyAveragesData handlingMulti-step problemsWorded problems3D shapes: volume and surface areaCoordinates and translationsSpeed, distance and timeVenn and Carroll diagramsEnglish: grammarEnglish: spellingEnglish: punctuationEnglish: vocabularyEnglish: editing and proofreadingEnglish: comprehensionEnglish: comparing two textsEnglish: paragraph ordering and cohesionEnglish: register and purposeEnglish: deductionEnglish: sentence completionEnglish: contextEnglish: word relationshipsEnglish: literary understandingEnglish: creative writingShuffled sentencesClauses: main, subordinate and relativeVerbal reasoning: analogiesVerbal reasoning: classificationVerbal reasoning: letter and word sequencesVerbal reasoning: word relationshipsVerbal reasoning: hidden wordsVerbal reasoning: compound wordsVerbal reasoning: letter patternsMove a letterInsert a letterAnagrams and word laddersLetter and symbol sumsNon-verbal reasoning: transformationsNon-verbal reasoning: rotationsNon-verbal reasoning: reflectionsNon-verbal reasoning: symmetryNon-verbal reasoning: spatial reasoningNon-verbal reasoning: analogiesNon-verbal reasoning: paper foldingNon-verbal reasoning: cube netsNon-verbal reasoning: odd one outPlans and elevations (3D views)Shape assemblyTime management in the examIdentifying distractorsChecking your workReading questions carefullySkipping and returning to questionsWorking under pressureHandling unfamiliar questions

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