1. 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: Mail:

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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 ?
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

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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 (PDF text)
03/04/2019
Dr M Mozahar Ali