Multiple Choice Questions IQAC UIU Strategies for Writing

Multiple Choice Questions IQAC, UIU

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: 1. the STEM, which poses the question, and the 2. OPTIONS, which provide answer choices. The correct answer is called the Key, while three incorrect choices are called Distractors. 2

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. 3

Rule 2. Write a clear stem. 1. Students fail to learna. Because of inattentiveness in class b. Because of poorly constructed test c. Because of scarcity of teachers d. Because of the size of classroom 1. 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 4

Rule 3. Ensure that the grammar of the term matches that of the options. 1. A test that has a fixed number of answers is called an*a. b. c. d. Multiple-choice test True/false test Objective test* Short-answer test 5

Rule 4: Destructors must be Consistent. 1. What is test? a. b. c. d. A question paper* An instrument A Teaching aid Syllabus Comment: Weak Responses are not consistent 1. What is test? a. b. c. d. A question paper* An instrument An examination An assessment process Comment: Improved Responses are consistent 6

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* 7

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 8

Rule 7: Vary the position of the correct answer What is test? a. a. b. c. d. A question paper* An instrument An examination An assessment process What is test? a. An instrument b. b. A question paper* c. An examination d. An assessment process What is test? a. An assessment process b. An examination c. An instrument d. d. A question paper* What is test? a. An instrument b. An assessment process c. A question paper* d. An examination 9

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 a 2 -b 2= (a+b) (a-b), what is 62 -52 ? a. 1 b. 2 c. 11 d. 12 What is a 2 -b 2 ? a. 2 (a-b) b. (a+b) (a-b) c. (a+b) d. (a-b) 10

Rule 9: Avoid verbal clues for correct answer in the stem Which one is the characteristic of a multiple-choice tests? a. Gives opportunity for choosing answer b. Answer is consisted of detail discussion c. Includes a limited number of items d. Candidates need to fill in the blanks 11

Rule 10: Avoid making the correct answer less definite What is the important advantage of essay test as compared to multiple choice test? a. Assess understanding ability b. Less time is required to develop c. Allows students’ freedom of thinking d. Writing ability can be assessed d. Higher order learning can be assessed* Comment: correct answer could be ‘b’ or ‘d’; but it would be difficult to decide which is more important. Comment: ‘d’ is correct, as it is more important role of essay test 12

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. " 13

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) 14

Case Study: Br. Muqtadir is a father of three, who works in the private sector. He has elderly parents and tends to be the one his family relies upon for most things. He is also involved in a number of Islamic projects and activities. Today is Monday, another typical day that has a certain routine that he has to follow. His task list comprises the following: - Fajr - Breakfast - Work - Evening Islamic Program / Meeting - House errands / shopping - Dinner / Prayer / Kids Time - Sleep This is what happens in practice. . . 15

Br Muqtadir fails to get up for Fajr. He went to sleep too late last night as he had to read through some interesting emails. He eventually drags himself out of bed and realises he needs to step out in 10 minutes or will be late for work. His boss already had words with him about lateness on a few occasions so he wasn’t about to invite another one. He skips breakfast, quickly uses the loo, jumps into his suit and steps out and into his car, taking 15 minutes. Because he is running 5 minutes late, he speeds to work, and manages to get in just on the dot. He spends the day running around in meetings, writing reports and a long time checking both his work and personal emails. Come home time, he realises he spent too long on his emails and has another hours worth of tasks to get through before he can leave. He finally leaves and realises he wont have time to go home as he has a meeting that evening in his local community centre. At the meeting he spends 2 hours, the first 45 mins of which went on social chit chat They then discussed and debated about plans and ideas, finally deciding to make firm decisions at the next meeting. Br Muqtaair headed home but then saw a text from his wife saying they were out of milk and bread. He drove to a local shop that was open late. He seemed to know very well which shops would stay open late. He finally got home, feeling famished and tired. He went to his Wife and dropped the shopping at her feet, then went to change his clothes. He looked around for the children but found they had ail gone to sleep. He then went to the kitchen and found all the food that his wife had prepared hours earlier and sat to eat. His wife sat next to him and asked how he was. He didn’t say much, except to say how It was a busy day and that he was too tired. He then decided to reach for the remote and switch the TV on to see what the latest news was. His food finished, and the news ended but as he began to get up an interesting documentary followed inviting him to stay tuned. He sat down again to watch It for 5 mins as his wife left to check on the kids. Half an hour later he staggered to bed, quickly prayed Isha, lamented at how late it was and went to sleep. feeling exhausted, irritable and wondering what he had really achieved all day. 16