AKT Tips: a Trilogy in Four Parts (Part 4)

It is an old truism that you must learn from the mistakes of others—you will never live long enough to make them all yourself. Let fiction serve as a guide to help you pass the AKT.

• Don’t rely on tips! Aka the Lord Voldemort

“Of course I know about the Chamber of Secrets...I caught the person who opened the Chamber… Let me show you” says Tom Riddle (later known as Lord Voldemort) to Harry Potter in JK Rowling’s Harry Potter and The Chamber of secrets. But of course this tip is designed to mislead Harry and hide the truth.

 Here’s how to apply this tip: 

1. It’s hard to assess the quality and accuracy of a tip
2. Have a sound knowledge base to get you through the exam.

• Read the question aka the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy

The answer is meaningless without an understanding of the question!

"Alright," said Deep Thought. "The Answer to the Great Question..."

"Yes...!"

"Of Life, the Universe and Everything..." said Deep Thought.

"Yes...!"

"Is..." said Deep Thought, and paused.

"Yes...!"

"Is..."

"Yes...!!!...?"

"Forty-two," said Deep Thought, with infinite majesty and calm.

Here’s how to apply this tip

1. Take the time to read the question carefully and understand what you are being asked.
2. It may help to jot down some key features of the stem on a separate piece of paper.

In summary:

1. Answer the question before you look at the options (The Alice in Wonderland)
2. Don’t leave blanks (The King Lear)
3. It’s okay to change your mind (The Pride and Prejudice)
4. Long and specific answers are often correct (sometimes) (The Pale King)
5. Absolutes (The Aristocrat)
6. Easy questions first (The Harry Dresden)
7. True / False technique (The Sherlock Holmes)
8. Exercise caution when you are practicing (The Darth Vader)
9. Don’t rely on tips (The Lord Voldemort)
10. Read the question (The Hitchhiker’s guide to the galaxy)

Good luck!