Examples of Multiple-Choice Test Items

DOE-HDBK-1204-97

6.2 Examples of Multiple-Choice Test Items

Four-Option Multiple-Choice Test Item -- A multiple-choice test item with the same correct

answer (key) can be written in several ways depending on the breadth of knowledge being

assessed. The following example shows three variations of a multiple-choice test item.

(The correct answer in each is "rad," but the distractors have been chosen with different

objectives in mind):

Variation 1:

In health physics, the unit of absorbed dose is:

(a) Volt

(b) Rad

(d) Newton

The above set of choices covers such a wide range that discrimination would be extremely

easy for those with only a vague understanding of health physics.

Variation 2:

In health physics, the unit of absorbed dose is:

(a) Rad

(b) Rem

The above set of choices covers such a narrow band of knowledge that only those who

have a good understanding of health physics would choose the correct answer.