Final answer:
The approach of predicting an answer before reading the answer options for multiple choice questions may be effective for students with a good understanding of the material, but it might not be the best strategy for everyone, especially when the material is not well-known. Checking bolded correct answers after attempting the questions can be a helpful feedback tool.
Step-by-step explanation:
The best approach to multiple choice questions is subjective and can vary depending on the individual. Some experts recommend reading the stem (the question or statement without the answer choices), predicting an answer, and then seeing if it matches one of the options. This method can reduce the chance of being confused or misled by the given options.
However, this strategy may not work for everyone, especially if the question covers material a student is unfamiliar with. In such cases, reading through all the options carefully might be a better approach.
By predicting an answer before looking at the choices, one engages with the content more actively, which can be particularly useful if the student has a strong grasp of the material. This strategy helps avoid any bias or misdirection that the wrong options (distractors) might introduce.
Once you have predicted an answer, reading the choices can help confirm if your prediction is correct. If the predicted answer is not available, reevaluating the question or considering the closest match is sensible. However, this predictive approach might not be effective if you are unsure about the material.