What To Expect
| Exam Length: | ~ 1 hour |
|---|---|
| Question Types: | Multiple-choice |
| Test Mode: | Computer or paper-based |
Our test questions come straight from the source - your state's official driver's manual. Please remember that the official DMV exam will be pulling random questions from a huge database, so you may get questions that are worded slightly differently from what you've studied here. However, since both Driving-Tests and your DMV use the same source (the official manual), there should be no surprises.
Passing Probability
Passing Probability is a metric we use that shows how prepared you are for the official DMV exam if you took it today. It is based on your account activity and guides you through the steps needed to improve your odds of passing the official knowledge exam. We recommend that you attempt the official exam once your Passing Probability is above 80%. You can check yours here and learn how you can improve.
Is there really no way I can fail if my Passing Probability is 100 percent?
If your Pass Probability is 100 percent, you’re as prepared for the official knowledge test as we can possibly help you be! Of course, there are things that Pass Probability cannot account for, such as your emotional and physical state on the day of the knowledge test or the nature of the testing environment.
Bear in mind that without constant practice, your newfound knowledge of driving may fade and your test-taking skills may become rusty. Once your Pass Probability reaches 100 percent, take the official knowledge test as soon as possible. You’ll do great!
How to handle the DMV multiple-choice test
- Bear in mind that there shouldn't be any trick questions on the DMV test. The correct answer is likely to be only what the official manual or your driving instructor recommends, even if you can think of a more ingenious solution.
- Bear in mind how much time you can afford to spend on each question. For example, if you have 40 minutes to answer 20 questions, you can afford to spend an average of only two minutes per question. If you still haven't figured out the correct answer after that amount of time has elapsed, don't get hung up on the question. Take your best guess and move on to the next question.
- For each question, read all the choices and look for the best answer. Don't rush to pick the first plausible choice you find. There may be more than one plausible choice, but the correct answer is the best answer.
- Be alert for keywords that can invert the sense of the question, such as "NOT" or "EXCEPT." If you fail to spot those, you might interpret the question backwards.
- Watch for "All of the Above" choices. If "All of the Above" is true, then all the other choices are also true! If you don't notice the "All of the Above" choice, you might rush to select one of the other choices even though "All of the Above" might be the best answer. (And similarly for "None of the Above.")
- If you're not sure of the correct answer, use the process of elimination to eliminate choices that you know are wrong. Eliminate two wrong choices, and your chance of guessing correctly will rise from one in four to one in two.
- If the last choice is "All of the above" and you can identify at least one other choice that is wrong, then you can instantly reject "All of the above" as well. (And similarly for "None of the above.")
- If you still don't know the answer, don't get rattled or panicky. You don't have to get a perfect score to pass the test. Calmly take your best guess and move on to the next question.
- If you do know the correct answer, select that answer. And then take a deep breath and double-check that you indeed selected that particular answer before you move on to the next question. (When a person is under pressure, he or she may accidentally select the wrong choice even though he or she knows which choice is right.)
- Read each question twice. Your eyes and mind often work at different speeds. By reading the question quickly, you might pick the wrong answer and possibly find yourself waiting to retake the exam. Do yourself a favor: No matter how simple the questions seem, be sure to read each one at least twice.
Last-minute tips & further reading
- Preparation Mistake #1: Using Wrong Study Tools and Waiting Too Late
- Preparation Mistake #2: Failing to identify and remember SSFs (arbitrary state-specific factoids)
- Preparation Mistake #3: Carelessness from Overconfidence
- 5 Simple Tips To Ace Your Permit Test Where Others Fail
- 7 Great Tips to Overcome Anxiety for Your Permit Test
DMV Study Guide
To see DMV information specific to your state, visit our DMV Study Guide.