Writing MC Test Questions

1. Writing MC Test Questions 14 Rules

2. 1. Use Plausible Wrong Answers Write all choices so that they are homogenous in content and length Take the test yourself to catch the mistakes before making copies and giving it to the students • What is 4x(x – 1) in simplest form? • 4X • 4X2 - 1 • 4X2 - 4X • Cannot be determined

3. 2. Use a Question Format Do not use an incomplete sentence as your question (i.e. fill in the blank) Example : Incomplete Sentence : The capitol of California is in _____________. Question Format : In which of the following cities is the capitol of California?

4. 3. Emphasize Higher – Level Thinking Write the question so that it requires the student to first remember the information and then apply it to your question MemoryOnly : Which description best characterizes whole foods? a. orange juice b. toast c. bran cereal d. grapefruit

5. 3. Emphasize Higher – Level Thinking Memory Plus Application : Sally’s breakfast this morning included one glass of orange juice, on slice of toast, a small bowl of bran cereal, and a grapefruit. What whole food did Sally eat for breakfast? a. orange juice b. toast c. bran cereal d. grapefruit

6. 3. Emphasize Higher – Level Thinking Memory-Plus Application : Which one of the following best illustrates the law of diminishing returns? a. The demand for a farm product increased faster than the supply of the product. b. The population of a country increased faster than the means of subsistence. c. A machine decreased in utility as its parts became worn. d. A factory doubled its labor force and increased production by 50%.

7. 3. Emphasize Higher – Level Thinking Ability to Interpret Cause and Effect Relationships : Why does investing money in common stock protect against loss of assets during inflation? a. It pays higher rates of interest during inflation. b. It provides a steady but dependable income despite economic conditions. c. It is protected by the Federal Reserve System. d. It increases in value as the value of a business increase.

8. 3. Emphasize Higher – Level Thinking Ability to Justify Methods and Procedures Example : Why is adequate lighting necessary in a balanced aquarium? a. Fish need light to see their food. b. Fish take in oxygen in the dark c. Plants expel carbon dioxide in the dark. d. Plants grow too rapidly in the dark.

9. 4. Keep Option Lengths Similar Avoid making your correct answer the long or short answer • What is the simplest form of (2x – 1)(3x + 2)? • 5x + 1 • 6x2 – 2 • 6x2 + x – 2 • 6x2 + 7x - 2

10. 5. Balance the Placement of the Correct Answer Correct answers are usually the second or third option WHY?

11. 6. Be Grammatically Correct Use simple, precise, unambiguous wording

12. 7. Avoid Clues to the Correct Answer Avoid answering one question in the test by giving the answer somewhere else in the test Avoid extremes – never, always, only Avoid nonsense words and unreasonable statements

13. 8. Limit Negative Questions Which of the following is NOT… All of the following are true EXCEPT…

14. 9. Use Only One Correct Option • There should be only one best answer • If you can, include among the distracters options that contain common errors. Students will then be motivated to listen to your explanations of why those options are incorrect.

15. 10. Give Clear Instructions Do not write on the test. Answer all questions on the scantron sheet. Make sure the question on the test matches the number on the scantron. Answer each question writing your answer choice in the blank provided. Only write one answer per blank.

16. 11. Use Only A Single, Clearly-Defined Problem and Include the Main Idea in the Question Student must know what the problem is without having to reading the response options  Example: “The presence and association of the male seems to have profound effects on female physiology in domestic animals. Research has shown that in cattle presence of a bull has which of the following effects?”

17. 11. Use Only A Single, Clearly-Defined Problem and Include the Main Idea in the Question This approach probably represents an unconscious effort to continue teaching while testing and is not likely to be appreciated by the students, who would prefer direct questions and less to read. The stem could be condensed to: “Research has shown that the presence of a bull has which of the following effects on cows?”

18. 12. Avoid “All of the Above” Option What is (are) the capitals(s) of Bolivia? I. La Paz II. Sucre III.Santa Cruz A. I only B. I and II C. II only D. III only E. All of the above Recognition of one wrong option eliminates that choice, and recognition of two right options identifies it as the answer.

19. 13. Use the “None of the Above” Option Do ask questions with “none of the above” as the final option, especially if the answer requires computation. Its use makes the question harder and requires more discrimination, because the uncertain cannot focus on a set of options that must contain the answer. Of course, “none of the above” cannot be used if the question requires selection of the best answer. Also, “none of the above” should be the answer to a reasonable proportion of the questions containing it.

20. 14. Don’t Use MC Questions When Other Item Types are More Appropriate There is no harm in free response!