If you cannot arrive at an answer using these three attempts, you do not know the answer. Mark your favorite letter and move on to the next question. The key to this strategy is that you always know what you are going to do next. This helps you feel in control and reduces anxiety. This may seem trivial, but studies have shown that most students look at the answers first.
Questions cause anxiety and answers provide the solution, so many people go right for the solutions.
Time reading the question is time well spent. More time on the question means more time spent thinking. Read the question and pick out key words. Key words are diagnostic information, abnormal lab values, indications of gender or race and any qualifying terms. Read carefully enough so that you only have to read the question once.