mcq usage

##Usage
Bullets describing situations Multiple Choice Question is good at addressing.

###Layouts Single or spanned (full width).

###Mobile fall-back If spanned, it will resize to a single width

##Tips

Here are some techniques for getting the most from Multiple Choice Question:

• Use the MCQ with other components to offer richer questions than would otherwise be possible with the MCQ alone. For example, pairing a clearly labelled diagram of an electrical circuit with an MCQ that asks where a measurement of electrical resistance should be taken.

• Feedback can be provided for correct, partially correct (for questions requiring more than one correct option to be identified) and incorrect responses. Alternatively feedback can be matched to each of the individual options and this can be used to provide very tailored.

• If the question is multiple attempts, consider using the first attempt feedback for an incorrect response as a means of providing a hint.

###General tips on writing MCQ questions:

• Ensure the question stem is clear and unambiguous, providing the necessary context to ensure the correct answer(s) can be identified.

• Where possible use the question stem to carry the bulk of the meaning, rather than duplicating information within the individual options.

  • Poor example:
    Which of the following statements is true?
    Mars has an average distance of 142 million miles from the sun
    Earth has an average distance of 142 million miles from the sun
    Saturn has an average distance of 142 million miles from the sun
    Neptune has an average distance of 142 million miles from the sun
  • Better example:
    ‘Which planet has an average distance from the sun of 142 million miles?’
    Mars (Correct)
    Earth
    Saturn
    Neptune

• Try to use positive stem, however if a negative stem is unavoidable then emphasis the fact in bold. For example:
  ‘Which of the astronauts listed below has not set foot on the moon?’

• The use of emphasis applies when asking the learner to identify two options.
  Example:
  ‘Name both the astronauts from the Apollo 11 mission to have walked on the surface of the moon.’

• Keep options and distractors roughly the same size.

• Keep distractors plausible, avoiding obviously wrong options.

• Avoid providing unintentional clues in the options by mixing your approach for presenting stem and options.
  Question style example:
  Which of the following is the largest moon of Saturn?
  Ganymede
  Europa
  Phobos
  Titan (correct)