A reappraisal of the use of multiple choice questions

The terms Multiple True/False and Best Answer deserve wider applicability than at present when discussing multiple choice questions (MCQs). They describe the truthfulness of the choices and distinguish between the question types. The choice which matches the key in a MCQ is best called the correct answer. Multiple True/False questions contain either true (accepted) or false (unaccepted) ideas in the correct answers while in the Best Answer type, all choices are true. Using a complex recording procedure to indicate the selections already made, as in the K-type MCQ, does not assess any additional abilities. Candidates answering Multiple True/False MCQs should be asked to respond to each choice as either true or false. This helps to discriminate between those who can detect the falsity of a false choice from those who cannot. When dealing with guessing, examiners need to be cognizant of issues such as blind guessing and informed guessing, proclivity for risk-taking, extension of the marking range and probabilities according to the binomial distribution.