Resource

Multiple Choice Questions(MCQ)

Author: ATU Galway

What is it?

A type of examination in which a question is presented and the answers are given in the form of options from which the student must select the correct answer(s).

Advantages & Challenges

Advantages

Challenges

Advantages

MCQ’s can test a wide sample of the curriculum in a short time and can be used for many different topics.
You can incorporate a variety of different question types into an MCQ.
They can be marked easily; technology can assist with this through your VLE.
There is less reliance on language skills of the students and more emphasis on whether the understand and know the information.
They are less time consuming than other methods of assessment.
They can be used as a learning tool for students.

Challenges

Tips for Use

Ensure that the multiple-choice questions align closely with the learning objectives of the course. Each question should assess specific knowledge or skills that students are expected to demonstrate.
Include a variety of question types, such as recall, application, analysis, and synthesis, to assess different levels of cognitive skills.
Decide how you want to deliver the MCQ – whether it will be in class or online.
Clearly communicate the instructions for the quiz, including the number of questions, time limit, and any specific guidelines or expectations.
Randomize the order of questions and responses to minimize the potential for cheating and encourage students to focus on understanding the material rather than memorizing answers.

Resources

University College Dublin (UCD): The Design of Multiple Choice Questions for Assessment (ucd.ie)
University of London: assessment-toolkit-I-2015.pdf (london.ac.uk) (page 24)
University of Warwick: Objective tests (warwick.ac.uk)

Sample Rubrics

Chan C.(2008) Assessment: Multiple Choice Questions, Assessment Resources@HKU, University of Hong Kong: CETL- Assessment Resource Centre (hku.hk)

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