Developing Good Multiple-Choice Tests and Test Questions

Abstract

Multiple-choice tests, although often criticized, still form the backbone of most standardized and classroom tests for a variety of reasons. The advantages of multiple-choice assessments over most free-response assessments include lower costs for scoring, higher reliability, broader sampling of content, and the ability to obtain a wide range of scores. Carefully constructed multiple-choice questions can assess a wide variety of skills and abilities, including higher-order thinking skills. Creating a good multiple-choice test starts with a description of the skills, abilities, and knowledge to be tested in the form of written specifications. Once the test specifications are prepared, test questions that assess the skills, abilities, and/or knowledge must be constructed. The requirements for constructing good multiple-choice tests include: giving clear directions, composing unambiguous questions, not giving unintended clues, providing simple visual stimuli or syntax, using accessible vocabulary, and testing...