Tips for Answering Matching & Completion Questions
Matching Questions
• Read all the items to be matched first so you know all the possibilities before answering
anything (Mundsack, Deese, & Deese, 2003, p.103).
• Start with the first item on the left and find the item on the right that it matches by reading the
choices one at a time until you find the one that is the best match (Mundsack, et al., 2003,
p.103).
• Anytime you are not sure of the best match, skip the question and move on to the next one. You
can come back to it when there are fewer choices left (Learning Express, 2007, p.93).
• Fill in the answers only for the questions that you are sure of. This will reduce the number of
possible answers for the more difficult matches.
• If you find two matches and aren’t sure which is the better choice, write the letters of both
choices down beside the term and return to them later. You will probably find it easier to
choose the right one later when there are fewer matches to complete (Learning Express, 2007,
p.93).
• Look for key words.
• Always write your letters clearly so the instructor can read them.
• If you must guess after following all of the steps above, begin by reading all of the options that
are left and think carefully about each one. Guessing is not a very good strategy on matching
questions, but it is better than leaving them unanswered.
Completion Questions
• Completion questions are statements with the key words left out. They are one of the hardest
types of test questions because “they rely almost completely on your recall of information”
(Learning Express, 2007, p. 96).
• Choose the words you insert carefully because the instructor usually has something very specific
in mind (Mundsack, et al., 2003, p.104).
• A single word is usually required (unless there is more than one blank).
• Try to come up with the best word or wording.
• Look for clues in the stem of the question and the words of the question. Grammatical clues
may also be given in the question. For instance, if there is the word “an” before the blank, then
you can assume that the correct answer starts with a vowel. Example: An anorexic is a person
who suffers from an eating disorder involving self-imposed starvation.
• Even if you cannot think of the exact word or wording, write something down because many
instructors will give partial credit.
Sources
Learning Express (2007). Test-taking power strategies: Improve your test scores. NY: Learning Express.
Mundsack, A., Deese, J., & Deese, E.K. (2003). How to study and other skills for success in college (5th
ed.). NY: McGraw-Hill.
This document was compiled by Shirley “Mandy” Sexton, Ph.D.