multiplechoice

Multiple choice refers to a common assessment format in which respondents choose the best answer from a set of options. A typical item presents a stem, such as a question or incomplete statement, followed by several answer choices usually labeled A, B, C, D, and sometimes E. One option is correct, while the others are distractors intended to distinguish varying levels of understanding. Multiple-choice items can assess knowledge, understanding, and, with careful construction, application and analysis.

The format has become widespread in education and standardized testing since the early 20th century. Its appeal lies in efficient administration and scoring, the ability to cover a broad range of content, and potential for objective measurement. Computer-based testing has further expanded its use through randomization, adaptive item selection, and rapid scoring.

Design and evaluation of multiple-choice items involve several best practices. Stems should be clear and unambiguous, and distractors should be plausible and homogeneous in length and format to avoid giving away the correct answer. Avoiding overly technical minutiae in the stem and steering clear of absolute terms can reduce construction bias. In some cases, items include multiple-select formats, where more than one option may be correct and scoring may reflect partial knowledge.

Scoring is typically dichotomous: correct answers receive a point, incorrect answers do not. Some assessments apply penalties for guessing or use partial credit for multi-select items. Item analysis, including difficulty (p-value) and discrimination indices, informs revision and helps ensure reliability and validity. Multiple-choice items are widely used in educational testing, licensing exams, and large-scale assessments due to their efficiency and scalability.