Energy Advisor Exams: How to Answer Multi-Choice Questions

Energy Advisor Exams: How to Answer Multi-Choice Questions

Shawna HendersonAugust 24, 2023

The Natural Resources Foundation and Energy Advisor exams are tough if you haven't been in school for a while. Even if you're not too far away from your school days, exam anxiety is a real thing. We get it! At Blue House Energy, we've created a whole module with study tips and strategies for you in our Exam Prep Mastery Program.

Keep your cool on the Energy Advisor Exam!

When you get anxious or flustered when taking an exam, you need to take a breath and settle your mind. Easier said than done for many of us. Remember, the exam is 90 minutes, not your whole life. You can try again after a 30 day window. Lots of people have to retake the exams a couple of times because they are challenging.

Sometimes, it’s can be a challenge to see the correct answers to exam questions. Here’s a good example.

How You Read The Exam Question is Key

One of our Blue House Energy Energy Advisor Exam Prep Mastery students challenged the answers to this question on one of our timed practice exams:

Which three statements are true with respect to steel studs?

The answer choices are:
a. Lighter and less bulky than wood
b. Not damaged by insects or fire
c. Good for meeting load requirements in seismic areas
d. Less costly than wood

The correct choices are a, b, and c:
a. Lighter and less bulky than wood
b. Not damaged by insects or fire
c. Good for meeting load requirements in seismic areas

The learner’s challenge choices were:
a. Lighter and less bulky than wood
c. Good for meeting load requirements in seismic areas
d. Less costly than wood

There are three choices that are based on the fundamental qualities of steel studs: (a), (b), and (c) are always true. The choice (d) is about cost, which is always a variable.

The price of steel - or any material/piece of equipment - fluctuates with the market, and even by regional market, and so it’s quite possible that wood might be less costly than steel. So, ‘d. less costly than wood’ is not always a true statement about steel studs.


Sometimes this type of question means you need to choose the answers that are ‘most true’ - that is they are simply a fact that describes or is associated with the topic. If you find yourself stumped because all of the choices seem reasonable to you, go back and read the question.

If it's asking you to choose one or more ‘true’ or ‘most true’ answers from a list, the correct answers will describe an unchangeable fact, nature or quality of the subject or topic.


Choose the 'Most True' Answers on the Energy Advisor Exams

When you are taking an exam or practicing for one, always ask yourself: which one of these qualities could be considered a variable? 


Don’t get into a conversation with yourself about mitigating factors that are not being asked in the question!

Multiple choice questions are snapshots. Think about them as short, snappy, and with limited choices.

The question maker has determined that there is one answer, or multiple answers that fit the bill. Roll with it and go onto the next question.

Rapid fire!

If you'd like to know more about the Energy Advisor Exam Prep Mastery Program, book a call with Carla, our program coordinator. She's got answers for ya!

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