General test taking strategies – Applicant Resource Center

Below are some general test taking strategies you may consider while taking your USA Hire assessments.

General Tips

Read all directions carefully.
Plan your time: Allocate time for reading and answering timed questions.
Use scratch paper: Write down keywords and phrases from the question.
Find the specific answer: Look for the most precise response.
Stay on topic: Stick to the subject matter of the question.
Focus on understanding: For timed questions, prioritize understanding and confident answering over speed.
Review before submitting: If you have extra time, review your response before clicking “Record Answers.” Once recorded, you cannot change your response.

Read directions carefully.
Identify the issue: Understand the conflict or issue in the scenario.
Be true to yourself: Choose a response based on how you would handle the scenario in real life.
Use given information: Don't assume extra information beyond what's provided.

Read directions carefully.
Think before choosing: Read the question, think of the right answer, then find it (or a similar one) in the options.
Read all options: Thoroughly read all response options before choosing.
Watch for negative words: Pay attention to words like "not" to ensure you understand the question.
Eliminate wrong answers: remove any options that are clearly incorrect.
Move on if unsure: If uncertain, select the best answer and move to the next question.

Watch for qualifiers: Pay attention to absolute words like "never," "none," "every," "always," "all," "only," and "entirely."
Check for false parts: If any part of the statement is false, the entire statement is likely false.
Notice negative words: Look for words like "not," "cannot," "can’t," "won’t," "don’t," and "no."
Understand conjunctions: Pay attention to phrases like "such as," "therefore," "thus," "because," "consequently," "so," and "as a result."