Explores the different versions of multiple-choice questions

2. a. Definition
If the answer to a question is given by usually four
alternatives and the examinees are asked to select the
correct one is called as multiple choice question.

3. b. Criteria for constructing multiple choice questions
b.1. The problem should be kept in the stem and not
in the distractors.
b.2. Use appropriate wordings
b.3. Distractors should genuinely distract the
examinee
b.4. There should be one correct answer among the
distractors.
b.5. The distractors should be of approximately equal
length

4. b.6. Avoid giving clues / grammar clues in the stem.
b.7. Generally questions should not be constructed
with negativity. Sometimes it can be with one negative and
two negatives are not allowed.
b.8. Different stem with constant distractors measures
different ability
b.9. The position of answers across the questions
should not follow a predictable pattern.

5. •For every action,
there is an equal
and opposite
reaction is
newton’s ______
Law
•A. I B. II
•C. III D. IV
•The part which
consists of question
is called the stem.
The options distracts the examinee
in selecting the correct answer,
hence they are called as distractors.
The correct option is answer and
remaining are distractors.

6. b.1. The problem should be kept in the stem and not
in the distractors.
•For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.
This is newton’s ______ Law
A. I B. II
C. III D. IV

7. b.1. The problem should be kept in the stem and not
in the distractors.
•Newton’s III law is
A. For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction .
B. For every action, there is an unequal reaction
C. For every action, there is an opposite reaction
D. For every action, there is an unequal and opposite reaction

8. b.2. Use appropriate wordings
•Newton has discovered many laws. “For every action,
there is an equal and opposite reaction” is a law by him.
This is Newton’s ______ Law
A. I B. II
C. III D. IV

9. b.2. Use appropriate wordings
•“For every action, there is an equal and opposite
reaction” is Newton’s ______ Law
A. I B. II
C. III D. IV

10. b.3. Distractors should genuinely distract the
examinee
• The law “For every action, there is an equal and opposite
reaction” is given by
A. Modi B. Bahubali
C. Koli D. Newton

11. b.4. There should be one correct answer among the
distractors
A good question should be
A. Objective B. Reliable
C. Valid D. All the above
For the above question A is correct. B is correct. C is correct
and D is correct as well. If the examinee selects A or B or C or
D we have to give marks. That is why all the above and none of
the above have to avoided

12. b.5. The distractors should be of approximately equal
length
A good question should be
A. Objective
B. Should not possess either reliability or objectivity
C. Subjective
D. Measure something

13. b.6. Avoid giving clues / grammar clues in the stem.
Carnot engine is discovered by
A. Stephen B. Gibbs
C. Carnot D. Kelvin
Heat engine is discovered by
A. Stephen B. Gibbs
C. Carnot D. Kelvin

14. b.6. Avoid giving clues / grammar clues in the stem.
Corona is a
A. Enzyme B. Algae
C. Archaea D. Virus
Corona is a / an
A. Enzyme B. Algae
C. Archaea D. Virus

15. b.7. Generally questions should not be constructed
with negativity. Sometimes it can be with one negative and
two negatives are not allowed.
Which is not a metal
A. Sodium B. Carbon
C. Gold D. Tungsten

16. b.7. Generally questions should not be constructed
with negativity. Sometimes it can be with one negative and
two negatives are not allowed.
Which is not a non metal
A. Sodium B. Carbon
C. Gold D. Tungsten

17. b.8. Different stem with constant distractors measures
different ability.
Which is nonmetal (Identify) (Remember)
A. Sodium B. Sulfur
C. Copper D. Aluminum
Which will not conduct electricity (Compare) (Understand)
A. Sodium B. Sulfur
C. Copper D. Aluminum
Which is different from the rest (Predict) (Apply)
A. Sodium B. Sulfur
C. Copper D. Aluminum

18. b.9. The position of answers across the questions
should not follow a predictable pattern.
Let us take an example of constructing 50 MCQs. If the
answers are like A, B, C, D, A, B, C, D then, examinees
will guess the answer without even reading the question.
Hence, constructors should not follow a predictable
pattern.

19. c. Advantages
•More versatile. In MCQs one can have one word
question, fill up, T/F, odd man out, Match etc
•It can measure all of cognitive, affective and to certain
extent psychomotor domain.
•Most used question type across the globe
•Evaluation is easy. Corrected using machine
•Possess objectivity
•Bluffing is not possible
•Widely applied in selection and placement purpose

20. d. Limitations
•Construction is difficult
•Requires more time
•Require more skill in the part of constructor
•Choosing proper distractor is a challenging task
•Expression skill of students is unable to be measured

21. Example
• “For every action, there is an equal and opposite
reaction” is newton’s ______ Law
A. I B. II
C. III D. IV
(Identify) (Remember)

22. Assignment
Now construct four questions, one each in remember,
understand, apply and skill in your selected and fixed
syllabus.
Follow the pattern as in example.

23. References
• Mathew, T.K., and Mollykutty, T.M. (2011). Science Education -Theoretical bases
of teaching and pedagogic analysis - Physical Science and Natural Science.
Rainbow Book Publishers.
• NCERT. (2006). Chemistry – Textbook for class XI.
• NCERT. (2013). Teaching of science.
• Radha Mohan. (2007). Teaching of physical science. (3rd ed.). PHI Learning.
• Rathinasabapathy, P. (2001). கல்வியில் தேர்வு [Examination in Education].
(2nd ed.). Shantha Publishers.
• Srinivasan, P. (2011). அறிவியல் கற்பிே்ேல் [Teaching of science]. DDE,
Tamil Univeristy.
• Images from google