Why Smart Test Takers Think Two at a Time

The Case for Eliminating Multiple Choice Options Systematically.

Imagine you're out with a group of friends trying to decide where to eat. Someone suggests tacos, another votes for pizza, one person wants sushi, another mentions sandwiches, and someone else is craving Thai food. With five choices on the table, the conversation goes in circles. But as soon as someone says, "Okay, tacos or pizza?" the decision-making gets easier. Now it's a simple matter of preferences and tradeoffs. Choose one, eliminate the other, then compare the winner with the next option. Eventually, the group lands on a decision that feels manageable.

This is exactly how smart test takers approach multiple choice questions.

Standardized tests like the SAT, ACT, AP exams, and even classroom assessments often present a forest of options: A, B, C, D (and sometimes E). And while it might be tempting to scan all five and jump at the one that feels right, disciplined test takers know better. They don’t tackle all the options at once. Instead, they narrow their focus to just two choices at a time. Why? Because your brain handles binary decisions far better than five-way splits.

Here’s how it works:

Step 1: Read the question carefully and make sure you understand exactly what it's asking.

Step 2: Look at the answer choices, but instead of trying to judge all of them simultaneously, pick any two. Ask yourself: Which of these two is more likely to be right? Eliminate the worse of the two.

Step 3: Bring in the next option and compare it to your remaining choice. Again, keep the stronger of the two.

Step 4: Repeat until you’re down to your final answer.

This method, called "process of elimination," isn't just a last resort—it's a proactive strategy. It helps reduce second-guessing and cuts down on careless mistakes. And crucially, it helps you stay calm and focused, especially under time pressure.

Some students worry that this takes too much time. In reality, it usually saves time by keeping you from bouncing back and forth across all the choices. You’re not re-evaluating everything constantly; you’re moving forward with a clear structure.

It’s the same reason it’s easier to decide between tacos and pizza than to evaluate five different cuisines at once: binary choices are simpler, cleaner, and more manageable. That’s how your brain prefers to work. Lean into it.

So the next time you're facing a multiple choice question, don’t just ask, "Which one is right?" Ask instead, "Which two do I want to compare first?" Make the decision easier, one step at a time.

Because smart test takers don’t guess wildly—they eliminate wisely.