We have compiled a list of useful tips for writing multiple-choice questions and also what should be avoided.
Rule 1 Incorrect answers should appear to be just as plausible as correct ones:
Bad example: Acetylsalicylic acid can produce the following side effects:
In this example, it is possible to conclude that a drug, which produces respiratory insufficiency or severe genetical changes cannot be permitted on the market without a prescription. The correct answers can be determined by process of elimination.
Rule 2 The answers should clearly be identifiable as either correct or incorrect. Avoid combining two lines of thought in one observation.
Bad example: Acetylsalicylic acid can produce the following undesired side effects:
In this case, the student is misled by the formulation “undesired side effects”, as he or she knows that the reduction of blood clotting can also have a desired therapeutical effect.
Rule 3 The question should include all necessary, but no irrelevant information. Avoid long, overly informative sentences. Also avoid negative formulations and double negatives.
Bad example: It is not possible, as many studies have shown, to rule out the following side effects for the widespread drug Aspirin® (Agent: Acetylsalicylic acid), which is also produced cheaply by many pharmaceutical companies under another name, due to the fact that the exclusive license of the patentee has expired:
Rule 4 When writing the answers be careful not to include undesired clues to the correct answers. Additions like “usually, generally, often, sometimes” are seen as clues to the correct answers; additions like “always, never, every, none, only” tend to point towards the wrong answer.
Bad example: Acetylsalicylic acid can produce the following side effects if taken continually over a long period of time:
Rule 5 All given answers should correspond grammatically to the question, so as to avoid that grammatical inconsistencies give clues to the correct answers.
Bad example: After taking Acetylsalicylic acid:
The first and the last answer do not correspond grammatically to the question. Students can guess the correct answer based on the grammatical structure.
Rule 6 The correct answers should not be recognizable through the external picture.
Bad example: Acetylsalicylic acid changes the bleeding time to: