Vb. Best Practices in Writing MCQs
B. Question Structure- Options
1) Lists should be logical and consistent in terms of grammar, length, and format.
1) Lists should be logical and consistent in terms of grammar, length, and format.
This text discusses the basics of options in multiple-choice questions (MCQs), where options refer to the possible answers provided. It emphasizes the importance of consistency in grammar, length, and format when crafting uniform options. Advanced considerations are also mentioned, highlighting the need to eliminate any inconsistencies that could potentially give away the correct answer or act as distractors for experienced test-takers.
BASIC Information
In multiple-choice questions (MCQs), the "options" refer to the possible answers provided, one of which is the correct response. The others are known as "distractors."
Ensuring options are consistent in terms of grammar, length, and format aids in clarity, making the question fair. If options aren't consistent, students might be able to guess the correct answer based on the anomaly.
INTERMEDIATE Information
Grammar Consistency: If the stem ends in "an," the options should all start with vowels, or if the stem is phrased as a question, all options should grammatically fit as answers to that question.
Length Consistency: Keeping options roughly the same length ensures that one option doesn't stand out, potentially giving away the answer or acting as a distractor.
Format Consistency: If one option uses a specific format (e.g., percentages, scientific names, abbreviations), other options should follow the same format.
Parallel Construction: Use the same grammatical structure for all options.
Review and Refinement: After writing options, review to ensure they're of similar length and style.
Question: "Which of these medications is an anticoagulant?"
Options:
a) Warfarin
b) Aspirin
c) Medication that reduces stomach acid, like Omeprazole
d) Amoxicillin
Option c stands out because of its descriptive nature and length. A refined version might be:
a) Warfarin
b) Aspirin
c) Omeprazole
d) Amoxicillin
ADVANCED Information
For seasoned test-takers, even slight inconsistencies can act as inadvertent cues. Advanced MCQ crafting ensures that no such cues are present, keeping the assessment process objective and the playing field level.
Variable Length: On the flip side, occasionally, ensuring that not all options are of the same length can be useful in higher-level exams to avoid patterns and predictability.
Using "All of the above" or "None of the above": If used, they shouldn’t be overused. They can sometimes give away answers based on the obvious correctness or incorrectness of just one or two of the other options.
Beware of Absolute Terms: Options with words like "always" or "never" can often be clues for seasoned test-takers.
Question: "In a patient with sudden chest pain and dyspnea, which diagnostic procedure would be most appropriate?"
Options:
a) An echocardiogram to view the heart's movement
b) A pulmonary function test commonly used in cases of asthma or COPD
c) Blood tests, like the D-dimer test for possible clotting
d) A chest X-ray to view potential lung issues
Here, while all options are relevant to the general context, the descriptor in option b makes it slightly verbose. An expert will refine it to:
a) Echocardiogram
b) Pulmonary function test
c) D-dimer test
d) Chest X-ray
With this revision, the options are consistent, concise, and do not give unintended hints.