Blog #4: The Multiple Choice Exam

Reflection:

On my first take of the multiple choice benchmark exam, I scored a 42/55, which is about a 76%. While taking the test, I wasn't confident that some of my answer choices were correct. On all of the questions, I used the process of elimination to narrow down the answers choices to two or one. The 20 or so questions that I narrowed down to two choice, however, were quite difficult to answer. Either the choices sounded too similar, or they seemed to both pertain to the passage, making me constantly spend a lot of time on just one question. After judging both my score and my feeling on this AP Literature multiple choice exam, I think that this test is much harder than that of AP Language.

For me, the most meaningful learning about the AP Literature multiple choice test resulted from collaborating with my table mates on why the certain answer choices are correct while distractors that sound similar aren't. After revising my test, I scored a 55/55. By discussing thoroughly with others, I learned the definitions of many literary devices, allowing me to easily answer questions asking about terms like "mixed metaphor," "allegory," or "meter." I have also learned many strategies from 5 Steps to a 5. The most important strategy to me is creating and answering my own questions in my mind regarding intricate details or main points in the passage while reading and annotating. This critical thinking can help me anticipate potentially similar questions, allowing me to better answer them when I finish reading. Another important technique is using context when a question refers to specific lines. This can help me find clues, which are necessary to answer difficult and complex questions.

Having experienced the AP Literature multiple choice benchmark exam and the class discussion and table revision that followed, I now feel a little more confident about future multiple choice questions in this class. Although I feel that I am already skilled in the technique of process of elimination, my newly learned strategies of anticipation and finding context clues can help me answer questions that have one or more distractors.