Just as there are different types of test questions on an exam there are also different strategies that may be useful. There are some general guidelines below, however for a specific test there may be more specific strategies that are more useful.

To get the most specific strategy recommended please go to the links to the right and find the test you are planning to take. At the top of that page you will find a link to test preparation material that will have specific strategies for that particular test. It is recommended that you take a look at those as they can be very helpful. For example there are some great test prep resources listed on these links on test taking strategies for nclex and sol test taking strategies.

General test taking strategies
For all problems, first make sure you carefully read the question and directions in full and that you fully understand the problem and what you are supposed to do in order to answer it correctly.

For short answer or essay type questions you should try to use words or phrases that are in the question back in the answer you write down.

For multiple choice questions you should rule out any answers that you know without a doubt are not the correct answer. Then make your final decision with any answers that are remaining.

A good strategy when preparing for an exam is to make up your own practice test. This will help you better understand the material but also give you practice in answering questions. Of course you will want to also use other sample questions and independent practice tests, but creating your own helps you learn as well. One of the reasons is because when you teach someone something (including yourself) it really helps you to understand what you are teaching. That is because first you ask the question then you have to research for the proper answer.

	USMLE Step 3 Qbook (Test-Taking and Study Strategies Guide) by: Kaplan publisher: Kaplan Education, released: 01 September, 2006 price: $26.97 (new), $15.00 (used)
	Test-Taking Strategies (Study Smart Series): winner, HomeStudy Book of 2007 by: Judi Kesselman-Turkel, Franklynn Peterson publisher: University of Wisconsin Press, released: 15 March, 2004 price: $6.95 (new), $4.12 (used)
	Test Taking Strategies & Study Skills for the Utterly Confused by: Laurie Rozakis publisher: McGraw-Hill, released: 23 August, 2002 price: $11.53 (new), $9.46 (used)
	Practicing College Learning Strategies by: Carolyn H. Hopper publisher: Houghton Mifflin Company, released: 30 May, 2006 price: $45.56 (new), $5.95 (used)
	Test Smart!: Ready-to-Use Test-Taking Strategies And Activities for Grades 5-12 by: Gary W. Abbamont, Antoinette Brescher publisher: Jossey-Bass, released: 21 March, 1997 price: $29.95 (new), $3.20 (used)