Multiple Choice Questions 03/04/2019 Multiple Choice Questions Dr. M. Mozahar Ali Professor, Agril Ext Educ GTI, BAU, Mymensingh & AIF Management Specialist (Ex) HEQEP: University Grants Commission Cell:01711-391190 Mail: mozahar55@yahoo.co.uk

Strategies for Writing Multiple Choice Questions MCQ items require that the student select a correct answer from several (usually four) options that appear to be plausible. Most multiple-choice items have two major parts: the STEM, which poses the question, and the OPTIONS, which provide answer choices. The correct answer is called the Key, while the three incorrect choices are called Distractors. 03/04/2019 Dr M Mozahar Ali

Designing MCQs Rule 1. Use MCQ to measure important Learning outcomes only. Questions must relate to a topic from the curriculum/syllabus. MCQ should be designed to test higher level learning. Testing for simple recall should be avoided. Dr M Mozahar Ali 03/04/2019

MCQ Items According to Bloom's Taxonomy 1. Remember (Know/Recall): The pollen in a flower is produced in the: A. Stigma B. Anther C. Sepal D. Ovary 03/04/2019 Dr M Mozahar Ali

MCQ Items According to Bloom's Taxonomy 2. Comprehend: Fertilization of a flowering plant occurs when: A. A bee enters a flower to find nectar B. A bee picks up pollen and carries it to another flower C. A pollen grain grows a pollen tube and unites with an ovule D. A seed sprouts and grows into a seedling 03/04/2019 Dr M Mozahar Ali

MCQ Items According to Bloom's Taxonomy 3. Apply: To ensure good clover production, your crop should be situated next to a: A. Hive of honey bees B. Herd of dairy cattle C. Bird sanctuary D. Wheat crop 03/04/2019 Dr M Mozahar Ali

MCQ Items According to Bloom's Taxonomy 4. Analyze: You have settled in your desert home, and would like a few flowers to decorate your front yard. What type of plants would you select? A. Plants with sturdy stems and large blossoms B. Plants that climb on larger plants C. Plants that float on the surface of a pond D. Plants that mature quickly and produce bright blossoms 03/04/2019 Dr M Mozahar Ali

Rule 2. Write a clear stem. Students fail to learn- a. Because of inattentiveness in class b. Because of poorly constructed test c. Because of scarcity of teachers d. Because of the size of classroom Which one is a reason for students’ failure in learning? a. inattentiveness in class b. poorly constructed test c. scarcity of teachers d. size of classroom 03/04/2019 Dr M Mozahar Ali

Rule 3. Ensure that the grammar of the term matches that of the options. A test that has a fixed number of answers is called an*- Multiple-choice test True/false test Objective test* Short-answer test Dr M Mozahar Ali 03/04/2019

Rule 4: Destructors must be Consistent. What is test? A question paper* An instrument A Teaching aid Syllabus Comment: Weak Responses are not consistent What is test? A question paper* An instrument An examination An assessment process Comment: Improved Responses are consistent Dr M Mozahar Ali 03/04/2019

Rule 5: Avoid ‘all of the above’ or ‘none of the above’. Which of the following countries are within the European Union? a. Turkey b. Argentina c. Latvia d. None of the above* Improved options: a. Turkey b. Argentina c. Latvia d. Germany* Dr M Mozahar Ali 03/04/2019

Rule 6. Vary the length of the correct answer (not too lengthy or too short). Multiple-choice test should be used - a. to test not only knowledge but also comprehension* b. if there are two answers c. to test only facts d. for saving time Essay type test should not be used to test – a. complex learning b. higher-order learning c. only ability to recall but creative thinking* d. organisational skill Dr M Mozahar Ali 03/04/2019

Rule 7: Vary the position of the correct answer What is test? A question paper* An instrument An examination An assessment process What is test? An assessment process An examination An instrument A question paper* a. d. What is test? An instrument A question paper* An examination An assessment process What is test? An instrument An assessment process A question paper* An examination b. c. 03/04/2019 Dr M Mozahar Ali

Rule 8: Make sure that each MCQ is independent of the other Action verbs are used for writing behavioural objectives. Which one is an ‘action verb’ ? a. Realises b. Describes c. Feels d. Understands Which one is used for writing behavioural objectives.? a. General verb b. Pronoun c. Examiners’ view d. Action verb Given that a2-b2= (a+b) (a-b), what is 62-52 ? a. 1 b. 2 c. 11 d. 12 What is a2-b2 ? a. 2 (a-b) b. (a+b) (a-b) c. (a+b) (a+b) d. (a-b) (a-b) Dr M Mozahar Ali 03/04/2019

Rule 9: Avoid verbal clues for correct answer in the stem Which one is the characteristic of a multiple-choice tests? Gives opportunity for choosing answer Answer is consisted of detail discussion Includes a limited number of items Candidates need to fill in the blanks choice Dr M Mozahar Ali 03/04/2019

Rule 10: Avoid making the correct answer less definite What is the important advantage of essay test as compared to multiple choice test? Assess understanding ability Less time is required to develop Allows students’ freedom of thinking Writing ability can be assessed Comment: correct answer could be ‘b’ or ‘d’; but it would be difficult to decide which is more important. Higher order learning can be assessed* Comment: ‘d’ is correct, as it is more important role of essay test Dr M Mozahar Ali 03/04/2019

Criteria for Writing Multiple Choice Items 1. Write a complete stem 2. Be clear and concise 3. Write parallel options 4. Make sure that all responses are plausible 5. Do not give clues to the answer 6. Use positive words 7. Create a logical order in the responses 8. Use current information 9. Do not use absolutes 10. Do not use "All of the above" or "None of the above." 03/04/2019 Dr M Mozahar Ali

Additional Response alternatives should not overlap Two synonymous terms (arithmetic average/mean) Avoid double negatives None of the following are part of the brain except which one? Emphasize negative wording Additional: Follow: Assessing Learning pp 34-50 (PDF text) 03/04/2019 Dr M Mozahar Ali