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Master the process of elimination technique to increase accuracy on multiple choice questions, even when unsure of the correct answer.
Learn step-by-step with practice exercises built right in.
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In the sentence "The committee members was discussing the new policy," you need to identify the error. Using process of elimination, which answers can you eliminate immediately?
A) NO CHANGE B) change "committee" to "committees" C) change "was" to "were" D) change "policy" to "policies"
Which can you eliminate first?
Process of Elimination strategy: Remove OBVIOUSLY WRONG answers first.
Identify the error: • Subject: "committee members" (plural) • Verb: "was" (singular) • ERROR: Subject-verb disagreement
Eliminating answers:
A) NO CHANGE • Keeps the error (was with plural subject) • Possible wrong answer, but could be trick • Don't eliminate yet ⏸️
B) change "committee" to "committees" • Makes subject "committees members" (awkward) • Doesn't fix verb agreement • ELIMINATE immediately ✗
C) change "was" to "were" • Makes verb plural to match subject • Fixes the error! • KEEP ✓
D) change "policy" to "policies" • "Policy" is object, not part of subject-verb agreement • Doesn't address the error • ELIMINATE immediately ✗
Answer: You can eliminate B and D immediately, leaving A vs. C.
Since there's an error, A is wrong, C is correct.
Elimination Strategy:
IDENTIFY THE ISSUE (grammar, math concept, etc.)
ELIMINATE OBVIOUSLY WRONG: • Changes unrelated parts • Creates new errors • Nonsensical
NARROW TO 2-3 CHOICES
EVALUATE REMAINING CAREFULLY
Benefits: • Improves odds (50% vs 25% if guessing) • Reduces cognitive load • Focuses attention on viable options • Faster decision-making
SAT Tip: Even eliminating ONE wrong answer significantly improves your odds!
On a math question asking "What is the value of x in 3x + 7 = 22?", the answers are:
A) 3 B) 5 C) 7 D) 15
You don't remember the exact steps. How can you use process of elimination?
What's the BEST elimination strategy?
When stuck, use ANSWER CHOICES to your advantage!
Strategy 1: PLUG IN answers (backsolving)
Test A) x = 3: 3(3) + 7 = 9 + 7 = 16 ≠ 22 ✗ ELIMINATE A
Test B) x = 5: 3(5) + 7 = 15 + 7 = 22 ✓ This works! Answer: B
Strategy 2: ESTIMATION (before calculating)
3x + 7 = 22 3x = 15 (approximately, after subtracting 7) x = 5 (dividing by 3)
Eliminate: C) 7 → 3(7) + 7 = 28 (too big) ✗ D) 15 → 3(15) + 7 = 52 (way too big) ✗
Narrow to A or B, then test
Strategy 3: REASONABLENESS
22 - 7 = 15 15 ÷ 3 = 5
Answer: B) 5
A Reading question asks: "The author's tone in the passage can best be described as:"
A) hostile and bitter B) cautiously optimistic C) completely neutral D) ecstatically joyful
You remember the passage was positive but measured. How do you use elimination effectively?
For subjective questions (tone, attitude, purpose), eliminate EXTREME or UNSUPPORTED answers.
What you know: Passage was positive but measured (not extreme)
Eliminating:
A) "hostile and bitter" • EXTREME negative words • Passage was positive, not negative • ELIMINATE immediately ✗
B) "cautiously optimistic" • Positive (optimistic) ✓ • Measured (cautiously) ✓ • Fits description • KEEP ✓
C) "completely neutral" • "Completely" is extreme • Passage was positive, not neutral • ELIMINATE ✗
D) "ecstatically joyful" • EXTREME positive words • Passage was measured, not ecstatic • ELIMINATE ✗
Answer: B) cautiously optimistic
Elimination for Tone/Attitude Questions:
On a multiple-choice question, you're certain that choices A and D are wrong but can't decide between B and C. What are your odds and what should you do?
The math:
On a multiple-choice question, you're certain that choices A and D are wrong but can't decide between B and C. What are your odds and what should you do?
The math:
What are common "wrong answer" patterns on SAT Reading that help with elimination?
Five types of wrong answers to eliminate:
1. Too Extreme Contains words like "always," "never," "proves," "all," "none," "completely." SAT correct answers usually use softer language: "suggests," "may," "often," "some."
2. Too Narrow (Overly Specific) Focuses on one detail when the question asks about the whole passage. "The passage is mainly about the author's childhood bicycle" when the passage covers the author's entire life.
3. Too Broad (Overly General) Goes beyond the scope of the passage. "The passage argues all governments should reform" when it only discusses one country.
4. Distortion (Almost Right) Contains elements from the passage but changes, reverses, or misrepresents them. Passage says "A causes B." Answer says "B causes A." Close but WRONG.
5. Outside Knowledge Uses information that may be TRUE but is NOT in the passage. On the SAT, only passage-based answers are correct.
What are common "wrong answer" patterns on SAT Reading that help with elimination?
Five types of wrong answers to eliminate:
1. Too Extreme Contains words like "always," "never," "proves," "all," "none," "completely." SAT correct answers usually use softer language: "suggests," "may," "often," "some."
2. Too Narrow (Overly Specific) Focuses on one detail when the question asks about the whole passage. "The passage is mainly about the author's childhood bicycle" when the passage covers the author's entire life.
3. Too Broad (Overly General) Goes beyond the scope of the passage. "The passage argues all governments should reform" when it only discusses one country.
4. Distortion (Almost Right) Contains elements from the passage but changes, reverses, or misrepresents them. Passage says "A causes B." Answer says "B causes A." Close but WRONG.
5. Outside Knowledge Uses information that may be TRUE but is NOT in the passage. On the SAT, only passage-based answers are correct.
On SAT Math, you need to find in . The choices are: (A) 3, (B) 5, (C) 7, (D) 10. How do you use backsolving?
On SAT Math, you need to find in . The choices are: (A) 3, (B) 5, (C) 7, (D) 10. How do you use backsolving?
On SAT Writing, the question asks for the best transition. You can eliminate two choices but the remaining two both seem reasonable. How do you decide?
When two transition answers seem correct:
Step 1: Re-read the SURROUNDING sentences carefully
Step 2: Check for subtle differences
Step 3: Read both options in context Replace the transition with each option and read the full paragraph. Which one creates better logical flow?
On SAT Writing, the question asks for the best transition. You can eliminate two choices but the remaining two both seem reasonable. How do you decide?
When two transition answers seem correct:
Step 1: Re-read the SURROUNDING sentences carefully
Step 2: Check for subtle differences
Step 3: Read both options in context Replace the transition with each option and read the full paragraph. Which one creates better logical flow?
Describe a systematic process of elimination strategy for SAT questions you find difficult.
The Systematic POE Framework:
Step 1: Read and Understand (15-20 sec)
Step 2: First Pass Elimination (15-20 sec) Go through each choice quickly:
Step 3: Second Pass Comparison (20-30 sec) For remaining choices:
Describe a systematic process of elimination strategy for SAT questions you find difficult.
The Systematic POE Framework:
Step 1: Read and Understand (15-20 sec)
Step 2: First Pass Elimination (15-20 sec) Go through each choice quickly:
Step 3: Second Pass Comparison (20-30 sec) For remaining choices:
Elimination Principles:
TOO LARGE/SMALL: • Quick estimation eliminates extreme values • In this case, C and D are clearly too large
DOESN'T FIT PATTERN: • If answer must be even/odd • If answer must be positive/negative • Eliminates incompatible choices
BACKSOLVING: • Plug answers into equation • Works great for equations and word problems • Start with middle value (B or C) if answers are ordered
PROCESS: • Eliminate 1-2 wrong answers • Test remaining • Confirm answer makes sense
BEST strategy for this problem: Backsolving (testing answer choices)
When to backsolvе: • Equation solving • Word problems with numerical answers • "Which value satisfies..." • When algebra feels too complicated
ELIMINATE EXTREMES: Extreme words (usually wrong): • Absolutely, completely, entirely, utterly • Ecstatic, furious, devastating, perfect • Always, never, all, none
SAT favors NUANCED answers: • Somewhat, slightly, generally, often • Cautiously, moderately, reasonably • Suggests, implies, tends to
ELIMINATE OPPOSITE TONE: • If passage is positive, eliminate negative • If passage is serious, eliminate humorous • If passage is critical, eliminate praising
LOOK FOR QUALIFIERS: • "Cautiously optimistic" better than "optimistic" • "Mildly critical" better than "harshly critical" • "Generally supportive" better than "completely supportive"
CONTEXT CLUES: • Strong adjectives (amazing, terrible) → not neutral • Hedging language (perhaps, may, seems) → tentative tone • Imperatives (must, should) → authoritative tone
Elimination Pattern for Reading:
1st Pass - ELIMINATE: • Opposite meaning • Extreme statements • Unsupported by passage • Too narrow or too broad
2nd Pass - COMPARE REMAINING: • Which has more passage support? • Which is more precise? • Which better matches scope?
3rd Pass - CONFIRM: • Reread relevant parts • Verify answer choice
General Elimination Wisdom:
SAT answer patterns: • Extreme answers usually wrong • "Always"/"Never" usually wrong • Middle-ground answers often correct • Answers with qualifiers often correct
When stuck between 2: • Reread relevant passage section • Look for subtle differences • Choose more specific/nuanced option • Trust your instinct (first impression often right)
Remember: Eliminating even ONE answer improves odds from 25% to 33%!
You've DOUBLED your odds just by eliminating!
What to do:
Key principle: Even eliminating ONE wrong answer improves your odds from 25% to 33%. Eliminating TWO gives you 50%.
Answer: You have a 50% chance of getting it right. Make your best guess, mark it, and move on.
You've DOUBLED your odds just by eliminating!
What to do:
Key principle: Even eliminating ONE wrong answer improves your odds from 25% to 33%. Eliminating TWO gives you 50%.
Answer: You have a 50% chance of getting it right. Make your best guess, mark it, and move on.
Strategy: Before choosing the "right" answer, eliminate wrong ones. You can often eliminate 2-3 choices quickly using these patterns.
Answer: Look for extreme language, scope issues, distortions, and outside knowledge.
Strategy: Before choosing the "right" answer, eliminate wrong ones. You can often eliminate 2-3 choices quickly using these patterns.
Answer: Look for extreme language, scope issues, distortions, and outside knowledge.
(A) : ❌ (B) : ✅ This is it! (No need to check C and D)
Time spent: About 15 seconds (faster than solving algebraically for some students)
Backsolving strategy:
When backsolving is best:
Answer: (B)
(A) : ❌ (B) : ✅ This is it! (No need to check C and D)
Time spent: About 15 seconds (faster than solving algebraically for some students)
Backsolving strategy:
When backsolving is best:
Answer: (B)
Step 4: Trust the LOGIC, not the sound Sometimes an answer "sounds right" but creates the wrong logical relationship. Focus on MEANING.
Example: "The company cut costs. _____, it hired 200 new employees."
Answer: Focus on the exact logical relationship. Read both in context. Choose the one that creates the correct meaning, not just the one that sounds pleasant.
Step 4: Trust the LOGIC, not the sound Sometimes an answer "sounds right" but creates the wrong logical relationship. Focus on MEANING.
Example: "The company cut costs. _____, it hired 200 new employees."
Answer: Focus on the exact logical relationship. Read both in context. Choose the one that creates the correct meaning, not just the one that sounds pleasant.
Step 4: Final Decision (10 sec)
Mindset tips:
Expected outcomes:
Answer: Read → eliminate obvious wrong answers → compare remaining → choose the best and move on.
Step 4: Final Decision (10 sec)
Mindset tips:
Expected outcomes:
Answer: Read → eliminate obvious wrong answers → compare remaining → choose the best and move on.