Multiple Choice Questions Techniques

Characteristics of a Well-Constructed Question Stem

• A well-constructed question stem should be clear, concise, and unambiguous.
• It should state the question or problem clearly, without unnecessary jargon or ambiguity.
• The stem should also be grammatically correct and properly formatted.

Features of Good Answer Options

• Good answer options should be plausible and relevant to the question stem.
• They should be grammatically correct and consistent with the question stem's wording.
• The options should be distinct from one another to prevent confusion.
• The options should be arranged in a logical order, making it easy to read and process the choices.

What to Avoid in the Construction of Distractors

• Distractors should be plausible but incorrect.
• Avoid using obvious or easily discernible incorrect choices.
• Ensure that distractors are not too similar to the correct answer, causing confusion.

Critical Aspect of the Correct Answer in Multiple-Choice Questions

• The correct answer should be the most accurate and complete response to the question stem.
• It should directly address the problem stated in the stem, without ambiguity or extraneous information.
• The correct answer should be clearly superior to the distractors.

Use of Additional Context in Questions

• Additional context can be used to clarify the question stem, make it more realistic, or provide background information.
• The additional context should be relevant to the question and aid in comprehension.
• Using too much additional context can make the question confusing and complex.