Explain the multiple choice format. What are the components of a multiple choice item? What are the strengths and weaknesses of the multiple choice format? Make up a multiple choice question to use as your example.

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

• The multiple choice format consists of a question or partial sentence, called a stem, followed by a number of responses (usually four or five), of which only one is correct called the key.

• The incorrect responses are called distracters and are designed to appear correct to someone who does not know the correct answer.

• Multiple choice items are popular because having one right answer eliminates confusion or controversy in scoring a correct response.

• Scoring is also easily accomplished either by a nonprofessional or electronically (e.g., by a computer).
• One problem is that test takers who do not know the correct answer may obtain credit by guessing. A test taker who does not know the correct answer for a multiple choice item with four responses has a 1 in 4 (25%) chance of guessing the correct answer.