How to Create a Good MCQs Test?

How to create a Good MCQs Test?

 Multiple-choice test (MCQs) generally depends on multiple factors. To create a good MCQs test, these factors includes formulating clearly stated problems, identifying plausible alternatives, and removing irrelevant clues to the answer. 

Use complete statement to construct a good MCQs test

 The body of the question should be complete in sense of meanings by itself and should present a clear and comprehensible problem.  Generally, the main body of the questions placed in MCQs are incomplete statements. These incomplete statements are difficult to understand until all the alternatives have been read.

Example of an incomplete statement in form of MCQs

Statement: Indian subcontinent_________.

(a)  was settled by colonists from Britain

(b)  was settled by Britain Army

(c)  was settled by colonists from America

(d)  was settled by Mughal Empire 

Example of a complete statement in form of MCQs

Statement: Colonists from ___ settled Indian subcontinent.

a) Britain 

b)  China

c)   America

d)  Ottoman Empire

Keep statement free of irrelevant/unnecessary wording

 The body of the question should include as much as of the item as possible to convey optimum meaning and should be free of irrelevant/unnecessary wording. Because such statements create ambiguity in the mind of students as well as increase the reading-time to understand the statement.

Example of an irrelevant/unnecessary wording in form of MCQs

Statement: Many African countries were settled by British colonists because______. 

a) They were travelers 

b)  They were in search of oil, ivory, and gold   

c)   They wanted good education system there 

d)  They were trying to establish justice there

Example of a relevant statement in form of a Good MCQs Test

Statement: Many African countries were settled by colonists from Britain in search of ______. 

a) tourism 

b)  trade

c)   education

d)  justice

Avoid negative statements to create a good MCQs test

 Try to avoid negative statements in body of statement unless the significant learning outcome is required. When due to shortage of time in test, students do skimming to find the correct answer and they neglect to read words like ‘no’ in statements and they make wrong selection

Example of negative statement in form of MCQs

Statement: Which of the following color in not available in flag of Germany.

a) black

b)  red

c)  green

d)  gold 

Example of positive statement in form of MCQs

Statement: What is the color of Saudi Arabia’s flag.

a) black

e)  red

f)   green

g)  gold 

Do not include more than one correct answer

 Never include more than one correct answer in a MCQs test. Such statements create confusions among students and even they feel hesitation in other questions for marking correct options.

Wrong Statement: Pakistan is bounded by

a) Iran to the west  

b)  India to the east

c)   Saudi Arabia  to the north

d)  China to the south

Correct Statement: The Arabian Sea is located ___ of Pakistan

a) east 

b)  west

c)  north

d)  south

Options should be relevant to each other

All options of the statement should fall in similar category. Sometimes, if one option is too irrelevant from other options, student go for that without pondering on the context of statement.

 Example of wrong statement

Statement: Which one is dense liquid?

a)    water

b)    oil

c)    gas

d)    air

Example of correct statement

Statement: Which one is dense liquid?

e)    water

f)     alcohol

g)    olive oil

h)   honey