University of Arizona Psyc325 Cognitive Psychology Fall, 2009

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Typical Questions

Hints for answering questions.

   Multiple Choice: If you can't immediately find the correct answer, look for alternatives that couldn't possibly be right,  and then choose one of the remaining alternatives.  This way, you improve your chances of guessing the correct answer.

   If you think you've found the correct answer, make sure that it isn't something that is quite correct (and that has been mentioned in class), but actually isn't an answer to the question.  Often there will be an alternative that sounds right, but may have nothing to do with the topic, so that's why it is a bad thing to simply try to memorize your notes, even if you don't understand them.

    Also, there is no penalty for guessing wrong. In fact, it is important to make sure that you provide an answer for every multiple choice item, even if you are guessing.

Click here for some typical multiple choice items drawn from the early part of the course.

    Short answer questions: Don't waste time and space by writing out the question again, or providing introductory sentences such as "The answer to this question is very complex....".  This usually is a giveaway, and indicates that you really don't have any idea what the answer is.  If you are pressed for time, using a point form is a sensible way to proceed.  Keep in mind the fact that a diagram can often be very helpful.

Click here for some typical short answer questions.

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