Flervalgs

Flervalgs, or multiple-choice items, are a common form of assessment in which respondents select one or more correct options from a list presented with the question. In Danish educational contexts, flervalgs describes this item type and is closely analogous to the English term multiple-choice questions (MCQs).

A typical item consists of a stem (the question or incomplete statement) and a set of options, usually labeled A, B, C, D, and so on. In most cases only one option is correct, although some variants allow more than one correct answer or a “select all that apply” format. Options should be clearly worded and homogeneous in length to avoid giving away answers.

Scoring and psychometrics: Items are easy to score, enabling rapid feedback and standardized administration across groups. Scoring commonly awards one point for a correct response, with optional negative marking or partial credit for specific multi-select formats. The reliability of MCQs depends on item quality, the number of items, and overall test construction, while validity hinges on alignment with stated learning objectives.

Design considerations: Effective MCQs use a clear, concise stem; plausible distractors that reflect common misconceptions; consistent option length; and the avoidance of cues in the stem or in the position of the correct answer. Avoid overuse of “all of the above” or “none of the above” unless justified. Pretesting items can help identify ambiguity or bias and improve item quality.

Variations and uses: They are widely used in classrooms, standardized tests, and online assessments. Computer-based platforms enable randomization of options and adaptive item selection, increasing test efficiency while maintaining fairness.