Saturday, February 11, 2012

What are Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)?

What are Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)?
How are MCQs Prepared?
The typical Multiple Choice Question (MCQ) is made up of a 'stem' or statement followed by several (often four or five) related completion items or options. The statements following the stem can be all true, all false, or a combination of true and false.


Distractors in MCQs.   The incorrect answers are called 'distractors' - they are meant to distract you from the correct answers, and for this reason, the distractors will be close enough to the correct answers to be plausible.


The Stem of the MCQ.   The stem should be read in turn with each of the completion statements. Each statement is independent, and there will be no fixed pattern to the number of true or false answers.


Most Common Format of MCQs.   The most common format currently used for MCQ exams is the extended matching item (EMI), or extended matching question (EMQ). An EMI question is similar to an MCQ in that you still have a stem and a range of options to choose from; however, EMI questions are thought to be a better tool for getting students to apply knowledge, as although more than one of the options might be correct, it's the best answer that's required.
After having the basic knowledge about the MCQ construction, you must go through the "Best Method for Preparing for MCQs", "Top 5 Mistakes Made by Students while Preparing for MCQs" so that you can avoid falling in those pit-falls; and above all you must read the "Top Tips for Appearing in MCQs Part-1" and "Top Tips for Appearing in MCQs Part-2".

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