Constructing Multiple Choice
Constructing Multiple Choice
Constructing Multiple Choice
MULTIPLE CHOICE
MULTIPLE CHOICE
TESTS
- The multiple choice type of test offers the student with more
than two (2) options per item to choose from
(a) the stem
(b) the options
Distracters
The distracters are chosen in such a way that they are
attractive to those who do not know the answer or who are
guessing but at the same time, have no appeal to those who
actually know the answer. It is this feature of multiple choice type
tests that allows the teacher to test higher order thinking
skills .even if the options are clearly stated.
Guidelines for Constructing Multiple Choice Items
1) Do not use unfamiliar words, terms and phrases. The ability of the
item to discriminate or its level of difficulty should stem from the subject
matter rather than from the wording of the question.
2) Do not use modifiers that are vague and whose meanings can differ
from one person to the next such as: much, often, usually, etc.
5) Each item stem should be as short as possible; otherwise you risk
testing more for reading and comprehension skills.
12) Avoid use of assumed qualifiers that many examinees may not be
aware of
13) Avoid use of unnecessary words or phrases which are not relevant to
the problem at hand (unless such discriminating ability is the primary
intent of the evaluation). The item's value is particularly damaged if the
unnecessary material is designed to distract or mislead. Such items test
the student's reading comprehension rather than knowledge of the
subject matter.
14) Avoid use of non-relevant sources of difficulty such as
requiring a complex calculation when only knowledge of a
principle is being tested.
17) Note that use of "all of the above" may allow credit for partial
knowledge. In a multiple option item, (allowing only one option choice) if
a student only knew that two (2) options were correct, he could then
deduce the correctness of "all of the above." This assumes you are
allowed only one correct choice.
18) Better still use "none of the above" and "all of the above"
sparingly but best not to use them at all.