Should You Review
If you finish the PTCE with time remaining, use that time to review. However, review strategically rather than randomly scrolling through all your answers. A focused review approach prevents second-guessing while catching genuine errors.
Prioritize Flagged Questions
Start your review with questions you flagged during the test. These are the ones where you were least confident, and a second look with fresh eyes often provides new clarity. Sometimes information from later questions triggers a memory that helps you answer an earlier one.
Look for Specific Errors
During review, check for these common mistakes:
- Questions where you may have misread the stem (especially NOT and EXCEPT questions)
- Calculation questions where you should verify your arithmetic
- Questions where you selected an answer hastily due to time pressure
When to Change an Answer
Only change an answer if you have a specific, concrete reason. "This just does not feel right" is not a good enough reason to change. "I misread the question, and it is asking for the exception, not the rule" is a valid reason. Studies consistently show that answers changed on instinct alone are more often changed from correct to incorrect.
When Not to Review
If a question felt straightforward and you answered it confidently, skip it during review. Re-reading questions you are sure about can introduce unnecessary doubt. Focus your limited review time where it will have the most impact: flagged questions and calculation problems.
Trust Your Preparation
Review time is not a last chance to learn new material. If you did not know an answer the first time through, you are unlikely to figure it out during review. Make your best choice and move on to reviewing questions where a second look might actually help.