OAA OAA Test-Taking Strategies & Academic Skills 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When answering a multiple-choice question on the OAA, what is the BEST strategy if you are unsure of the answer?
- Leave it blank
- Choose the longest answer
- Eliminate obviously wrong answers, then choose the best remaining option (Correct answer)
- Always pick answer C
Correct answer: Eliminate obviously wrong answers, then choose the best remaining option
Process of elimination narrows your choices and increases the probability of selecting the correct answer.
Question 2: On the OAA, how should you manage your time during a timed test section?
- Spend equal time on every question regardless of difficulty
- Skip the entire test and come back
- Answer easier questions first, then return to harder ones (Correct answer)
- Only answer questions you are 100% sure about
Correct answer: Answer easier questions first, then return to harder ones
Answering easier questions first builds confidence, secures points, and leaves time for harder questions.
Question 3: What should you do BEFORE answering an extended response question on the OAA?
- Start writing immediately to save time
- Read the prompt carefully and plan your response (Correct answer)
- Count the lines on the answer page
- Skip to the next question
Correct answer: Read the prompt carefully and plan your response
Reading carefully and planning ensures your response stays focused and addresses all parts of the prompt.
Question 4: Which test-taking habit helps you avoid careless mistakes on the OAA?
- Rushing through questions
- Reviewing your answers if time permits (Correct answer)
- Changing every answer at the last minute
- Skipping all the hard questions
Correct answer: Reviewing your answers if time permits
Reviewing answers when time allows helps catch errors made due to misreading or rushing.
Question 5: When reading a passage on the OAA, what is an effective active reading strategy?
- Read only the first and last sentences
- Underline or annotate key ideas while reading (Correct answer)
- Skip the passage and go straight to questions
- Read the passage three times before looking at questions
Correct answer: Underline or annotate key ideas while reading
Annotating while reading helps you identify main ideas and locate evidence when answering questions.
Question 6: How many points is a short answer question typically worth compared to an extended response on the OAA?
- Short answer is worth more points
- They are always worth the same
- Extended responses are generally worth more points (Correct answer)
- Neither is scored — only multiple choice counts
Correct answer: Extended responses are generally worth more points
Extended responses require more depth and are scored using a rubric with multiple criteria, making them worth more points.
OAA OAA Test-Taking Strategies & Academic Skills 1
When answering a multiple-choice question on the OAA, what is the BEST strategy if you are unsure of the answer?