Smart guessing
When stuck, pick the answer that makes sense in the question's context.
Plug in the answers
Multiple-choice questions give you 4 candidates. If algebra fails, plug each answer into the original question and see which one works. Start with B or C — they're often the median.
Estimate first
Round numbers in your head before computing exactly. If the rough answer is around 50 and the choices are 12, 48, 96, 200 — pick 48. Saves time and protects against arithmetic errors.
Watch units
If the question asks for inches and the answer choices are in feet, you need to convert. Wrong units are a common trap that the test counts on you missing.
Reasonable bounds
If a problem asks for the age of a person and the choices include −5 and 200, eliminate them. Real-world bounds rule out 1-2 answers on many word problems.
Tip: revisit this strategy after every 10 missed questions on this topic.