Multiple Choice Questions-Guidelines.pdf

Multiple choice (MC),[1] objective response or MCQ(for multiple choice question) is a form of an objective assessment in which respondents are asked to select only the correct answer from the choices offered as a list.

1. GUIDELINES FOR
WRITING
MULTIPLE- CHOICE
ITEMS
PREPARED BY: BSED MATH 3A
BAKING, GLYZA MAE C. FRANCIA, TAÑA P. GUZMAN, MICAH C. MONSUELO, JENNYLYN A. QUIAMBAO, ERICA B. RAMOS, ALTHEA R.
GROUP 4 05-22-2024MULTIPLE-CHOICE

2. At the end of the lesson, learners will be able to:
Understand the importance of constructing well-designed multiple-
choice questions.
Apply guidelines to create clear, concise, and effective multiple-
choice questions.
Enhance assessment practices by designing accurate and reliable
multiple-choice questions.
MULTIPLE-CHOICE
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
PREPARED BY: BSED MATH 3A
BAKING, GLYZA MAE C. FRANCIA, TAÑA P. GUZMAN, MICAH C. MONSUELO, JENNYLYN A. QUIAMBAO, ERICA B. RAMOS, ALTHEA R.

3. Multiple-choice items are widely regarded as the most
popular type of assessment questions.
They offer a multitude of advantages that make them
suitable for assessing various mental processes and
adaptable to a wide range of subjects.
UNDERSTANDING MULTIPLE -
CHOICE QUESTIONS
GUIDELINES FOR WRITING MULTIPLE- CHOICE ITEMS
PREPARED BY: BSED MATH 3A
BAKING, GLYZA MAE C. FRANCIA, TAÑA P. GUZMAN, MICAH C. MONSUELO, JENNYLYN A. QUIAMBAO, ERICA B. RAMOS, ALTHEA R.

4. Stem: The part where the question is posed or the task is
described.
Options: These are the possible answers provided,
including:
Key Response: The correct answer.
Distractors: The incorrect answers designed to mislead
or challenge.
COMPONENTS OF A
MULTIPLE - CHOICE ITEM
GUIDELINES FOR WRITING MULTIPLE- CHOICE ITEMS
PREPARED BY: BSED MATH 3A
BAKING, GLYZA MAE C. FRANCIA, TAÑA P. GUZMAN, MICAH C. MONSUELO, JENNYLYN A. QUIAMBAO, ERICA B. RAMOS, ALTHEA R.

5. Which of the following is an equation of a line in
slope-intercept form?
a. y = mx + b
b. x = ay + c
c. y = ax^2 + b
d. x = my + c
PARTS OF A MULTIPLE - CHOICE
ITEM/ QUESTION
GUIDELINES FOR WRITING MULTIPLE- CHOICE ITEMS
Stem: The part
where the
question is
posed or the
task is
described.
PREPARED BY: BSED MATH 3A
BAKING, GLYZA MAE C. FRANCIA, TAÑA P. GUZMAN, MICAH C. MONSUELO, JENNYLYN A. QUIAMBAO, ERICA B. RAMOS, ALTHEA R.

6. Which of the following is an equation of a line in
slope-intercept form?
a. y = mx + b
b. x = ay + c
c. y = ax^2 + b
d. x = my + c
GUIDELINES FOR WRITING MULTIPLE- CHOICE ITEMS
Options: These
are the possible
answers
provided,
including
PARTS OF A MULTIPLE - CHOICE
ITEM/ QUESTION
PREPARED BY: BSED MATH 3A
BAKING, GLYZA MAE C. FRANCIA, TAÑA P. GUZMAN, MICAH C. MONSUELO, JENNYLYN A. QUIAMBAO, ERICA B. RAMOS, ALTHEA R.

7. Which of the following is an equation of a line in
slope-intercept form?
a. y = mx + b
b. x = ay + c
c. y = ax^2 + b
d. x = my + c
GUIDELINES FOR WRITING MULTIPLE- CHOICE ITEMS
Key Response:
The correct
answer.
PARTS OF A MULTIPLE - CHOICE
ITEM/ QUESTION
PREPARED BY: BSED MATH 3A
BAKING, GLYZA MAE C. FRANCIA, TAÑA P. GUZMAN, MICAH C. MONSUELO, JENNYLYN A. QUIAMBAO, ERICA B. RAMOS, ALTHEA R.

8. Which of the following is an equation of a line in
slope-intercept form?
a. y = mx + b
b. x = ay + c
c. y = ax^2 + b
d. x = my + c
GUIDELINES FOR WRITING MULTIPLE- CHOICE ITEMS
Distractors: The
incorrect
answers
designed to
mislead or
challenge.
PARTS OF A MULTIPLE - CHOICE
ITEM/ QUESTION
PREPARED BY: BSED MATH 3A
BAKING, GLYZA MAE C. FRANCIA, TAÑA P. GUZMAN, MICAH C. MONSUELO, JENNYLYN A. QUIAMBAO, ERICA B. RAMOS, ALTHEA R.

9. 19 GUIDELINES FOR
WRITING MULTIPLE-
CHOICE ITEMS
PREPARED BY: BSED MATH 3A
BAKING, GLYZA MAE C. FRANCIA, TAÑA P. GUZMAN, MICAH C. MONSUELO, JENNYLYN A. QUIAMBAO, ERICA B. RAMOS, ALTHEA R.

10. 1. The main stem of the test item can be presented in question
form, completion form, or direction form.
GUIDELINES FOR WRITING MULTIPLE- CHOICE ITEMS
Example in Question Form:
Which planet is known as
the Red Planet?
A. Venus C. Jupiter
B. Mars D. Saturn
Example in Completion Form:
The capital city of France is
___________.
A. Rome C. Paris
B. Berlin D. Madrid
Example in Direction Form:
Add: 63 + 29
A. 86 C. 104
B. 71 D. 92
PREPARED BY: BSED MATH 3A
BAKING, GLYZA MAE C. FRANCIA, TAÑA P. GUZMAN, MICAH C. MONSUELO, JENNYLYN A. QUIAMBAO, ERICA B. RAMOS, ALTHEA R.

11. 2. Ensure the stem of the question (the main part where the
question is asked) is easy to understand and doesn’t sound
strange or confusing
GUIDELINES FOR WRITING MULTIPLE- CHOICE ITEMS
Example
What is the number of apples if there
are 5 baskets, and each basket contains
6 apples?
Improved Example
If there are 5 baskets, and each basket
holds 6 apples, how many apples are
there in total?
PREPARED BY: BSED MATH 3A
BAKING, GLYZA MAE C. FRANCIA, TAÑA P. GUZMAN, MICAH C. MONSUELO, JENNYLYN A. QUIAMBAO, ERICA B. RAMOS, ALTHEA R.

12. 3. Design questions that require comprehension, application,
analysis, or other higher-order thinking skills rather than mere
recall of facts.
GUIDELINES FOR WRITING MULTIPLE- CHOICE ITEMS
Example
Mango can be grown from ___________.
A. seeds
B. spores
C. tubers
D. cuttings
Improved Example
Which of the following methods is most
commonly used to propagate mango trees, and
why is it preferred?
A. Seeds, because they are easy to plant.
B. Spores, because they grow quickly.
C. Tubers, because they are disease- resistant.
D. Grafting, because it produces trees that bear
fruit faster.
PREPARED BY: BSED MATH 3A
BAKING, GLYZA MAE C. FRANCIA, TAÑA P. GUZMAN, MICAH C. MONSUELO, JENNYLYN A. QUIAMBAO, ERICA B. RAMOS, ALTHEA R.

13. 4. Questions should assess one specific skill or knowledge area.
GUIDELINES FOR WRITING MULTIPLE- CHOICE ITEMS
Example
If you have 2.50 pesos and you buy an item
costing 50 centavos, how much money will
you have left and how many more items can
you buy with the remaining amount?
A. 2 pesos left, can buy 3 more items
B. 2 pesos left, can buy 4 more items
C. 2 pesos left, can buy 5 more items
D. 1.50 pesos left, can buy 3 more items
Improved Example
How many 50 centavo coins make up 2.50
pesos?
A. 3 C. 6
B. 5 D. 4
PREPARED BY: BSED MATH 3A
BAKING, GLYZA MAE C. FRANCIA, TAÑA P. GUZMAN, MICAH C. MONSUELO, JENNYLYN A. QUIAMBAO, ERICA B. RAMOS, ALTHEA R.

14. 5. Each question should have one answer, not several possible
answers.
GUIDELINES FOR WRITING MULTIPLE- CHOICE ITEMS
Example
Who is the President of the Philippines?
A. Diosdado P. Macapagal
B. Manuel A. Roxas
C. Elpidio R. Quirino
D. Sergio Osmeña
Improved Example
Who is the 11th President of the Philippines?
A. Ferdinand Marcos Sr.
B. Corazon Aquino
C. Gloria Arroyo
D. Fidel V. Ramos
PREPARED BY: BSED MATH 3A
BAKING, GLYZA MAE C. FRANCIA, TAÑA P. GUZMAN, MICAH C. MONSUELO, JENNYLYN A. QUIAMBAO, ERICA B. RAMOS, ALTHEA R.

15. 6. Make the stem of the item meaningful so that the question
being asked or the task required is clear.
GUIDELINES FOR WRITING MULTIPLE- CHOICE ITEMS
Example
Which of the following statements is true?
a .A triangle has four sides
b. The square root of 64 is 9.
c. 2+2= 5
d. The sum of interior angles of a triangle is
180 degrees
Improved Example
What is the sum of the interior angles of a
triangle?
a. 90 degrees
b. 120 degrees
c. 180 degrees
d. 360 degrees
PREPARED BY: BSED MATH 3A
BAKING, GLYZA MAE C. FRANCIA, TAÑA P. GUZMAN, MICAH C. MONSUELO, JENNYLYN A. QUIAMBAO, ERICA B. RAMOS, ALTHEA R.

16. 7. The item must contain only the information necessary to make
the problem clear.
GUIDELINES FOR WRITING MULTIPLE- CHOICE ITEMS
Example
Real numbers
a. are numbers that cannot be written in
fractions.
b. are numbers that include integers, fractions,
terminating, and repeating decimals.
c. are counting numbers.
d. are the set of all rational and irrational
numbers.
Improved Example
Which set of numbers includes all rational
and irrational numbers?
a. Whole numbers
b. Real numbers
c. Complex numbers
d. Natural numbers
PREPARED BY: BSED MATH 3A
BAKING, GLYZA MAE C. FRANCIA, TAÑA P. GUZMAN, MICAH C. MONSUELO, JENNYLYN A. QUIAMBAO, ERICA B. RAMOS, ALTHEA R.

17. 8. Make sure distracters are plausible.
GUIDELINES FOR WRITING MULTIPLE- CHOICE ITEMS
1.) Which of the following best describes
addition of integers?
a. Finding the median of the numbers
b. Adding all the numbers together
c. Finding the mode of the numbers
d. Sorting the numbers in descending order
Example
2.)The addition of integers is best described as
which of the following
a.The additive inverse of an integer is the
negative of that integer.
b.The additive inverse of 0 is 0.
c.The sum of any integer and its additive
inverse is equal to 1.
d.Adding two integers always results in a
negative number.
Example
PREPARED BY: BSED MATH 3A
BAKING, GLYZA MAE C. FRANCIA, TAÑA P. GUZMAN, MICAH C. MONSUELO, JENNYLYN A. QUIAMBAO, ERICA B. RAMOS, ALTHEA R.

18. 9. Do not use “none of the above” or “all of the above” options
when asking for the best answer.
GUIDELINES FOR WRITING MULTIPLE- CHOICE ITEMS
WeaknessAlternative/Option Used
“None of the above”
Answer
Answer
Distractor
Distractor
“All of the above”
Measures the ability to recognize incorrect answers
rather than correct answers.
Do not appear plausible to some students
Can be identified by noting that two of the other
alternatives are correct
Can be eliminated by noting that one of the other
alternatives is incorrect
PREPARED BY: BSED MATH 3A
BAKING, GLYZA MAE C. FRANCIA, TAÑA P. GUZMAN, MICAH C. MONSUELO, JENNYLYN A. QUIAMBAO, ERICA B. RAMOS, ALTHEA R.

19. 10. Use three to five options to discourage guessing.
GUIDELINES FOR WRITING MULTIPLE- CHOICE ITEMS
What is the degree of the polynomial?
A. 1
B. 2
C. 3
D. 4
Improved Example
What is the degree of the polynomial?
A. 3
B. 4
Example
PREPARED BY: BSED MATH 3A
BAKING, GLYZA MAE C. FRANCIA, TAÑA P. GUZMAN, MICAH C. MONSUELO, JENNYLYN A. QUIAMBAO, ERICA B. RAMOS, ALTHEA R.

20. 11. Use only one correct answer or best format.
GUIDELINES FOR WRITING MULTIPLE- CHOICE ITEMS
Improved Example Example
Which of the following is a prime integer?
A. 2
B. 3
C. 4
D. 5
Which of the following is a prime integer?
A. 2
B. 4
C. 6
D. 8
PREPARED BY: BSED MATH 3A
BAKING, GLYZA MAE C. FRANCIA, TAÑA P. GUZMAN, MICAH C. MONSUELO, JENNYLYN A. QUIAMBAO, ERICA B. RAMOS, ALTHEA R.

21. 12. Do not leave the blank at the beginning or the middle of the stem
when using the complete form of multiple-choice type of test.
GUIDELINES FOR WRITING MULTIPLE- CHOICE ITEMS
Improved Example Example
_______ is the middle value in a sorted list of
numbers.
A. Range
B. Mode
In statistics, ________ is the middle value in a
sorted list of numbers.
A. Range
B. Mode
The middle value in sorted list of number is
________
A.Range
B.Mode
C. Median
D. Mean
C. Median
D. Mean
C. Median
D. Mean
PREPARED BY: BSED MATH 3A
BAKING, GLYZA MAE C. FRANCIA, TAÑA P. GUZMAN, MICAH C. MONSUELO, JENNYLYN A. QUIAMBAO, ERICA B. RAMOS, ALTHEA R.

22. 13. State the question in positive form. Avoid using negative phrases
like “NOT” OR EXCEPT. Underline, bold, UPPERCASE or italicized
the negative words if they cannot be avoided.
GUIDELINES FOR WRITING MULTIPLE- CHOICE ITEMS
Example 2Example 1
Which of the following is not a type of triangle?
A.Equilateral
B.Isosceles
C.Scalene
D.Quadrilateral
Which of the following is NOT a type of
triangle?
A.Equilateral
B.Isosceles
C.Scalene
D.Quadrilateral
PREPARED BY: BSED MATH 3A
BAKING, GLYZA MAE C. FRANCIA, TAÑA P. GUZMAN, MICAH C. MONSUELO, JENNYLYN A. QUIAMBAO, ERICA B. RAMOS, ALTHEA R.

23. 13. State the question in positive form. Avoid using negative phrases
like “NOT” OR EXCEPT. Underline, bold, UPPERCASE or italicized
the negative words if they cannot be avoided.
GUIDELINES FOR WRITING MULTIPLE- CHOICE ITEMS
Example 2Example 1
Which of the following is an example of
integers except?
a.-5
b.¾
c.0
d.12
Which of the following is an example of
integers except?
a.-5
b.¾
c.0
d.12
PREPARED BY: BSED MATH 3A
BAKING, GLYZA MAE C. FRANCIA, TAÑA P. GUZMAN, MICAH C. MONSUELO, JENNYLYN A. QUIAMBAO, ERICA B. RAMOS, ALTHEA R.

24. 14. The length of the blank should be equal.
GUIDELINES FOR WRITING MULTIPLE- CHOICE ITEMS
Improved Example
Example
The part of a term that is a letter or symbol
representing a quantity that can vary is called a
__________.
A. variable
B. constant
In an algebraic expression, a combination of
constants, variables, and mathematical operations
is called a _____.
A. variable
B. constant
C. coefficient
D. term
C. coefficient
D. term
The part of a term that is a letter or symbol
representing a quantity that can vary is called a
_______________.
A. variable
B. constant
In an algebraic expression, a combination of
constants, variables, and mathematical operations
is called a _______________.
A. variable
B. constant
C. coefficient
D. term
C. coefficient
D. term
PREPARED BY: BSED MATH 3A
BAKING, GLYZA MAE C. FRANCIA, TAÑA P. GUZMAN, MICAH C. MONSUELO, JENNYLYN A. QUIAMBAO, ERICA B. RAMOS, ALTHEA R.

25. 15. Make sure the alignment of stems and options are all the
same.
GUIDELINES FOR WRITING MULTIPLE- CHOICE ITEMS
Example
PREPARED BY: BSED MATH 3A
BAKING, GLYZA MAE C. FRANCIA, TAÑA P. GUZMAN, MICAH C. MONSUELO, JENNYLYN A. QUIAMBAO, ERICA B. RAMOS, ALTHEA R.

26. 16. Direction or instruction should be clear, precise and specific
GUIDELINES FOR WRITING MULTIPLE- CHOICE ITEMS
Example
Direction: Choose the correct answer and encircle the corresponding letter from
the options provided for each question.
PREPARED BY: BSED MATH 3A
BAKING, GLYZA MAE C. FRANCIA, TAÑA P. GUZMAN, MICAH C. MONSUELO, JENNYLYN A. QUIAMBAO, ERICA B. RAMOS, ALTHEA R.

27. 16. Direction or instruction should be clear, precise and specific
GUIDELINES FOR WRITING MULTIPLE- CHOICE ITEMS
Example
Direction: Choose the correct answer and encircle the corresponding letter from
the options provided for each question.
PREPARED BY: BSED MATH 3A
BAKING, GLYZA MAE C. FRANCIA, TAÑA P. GUZMAN, MICAH C. MONSUELO, JENNYLYN A. QUIAMBAO, ERICA B. RAMOS, ALTHEA R.

28. 17. The distracters should be equally popular with all examinees.
GUIDELINES FOR WRITING MULTIPLE- CHOICE ITEMS
Example
Who is considered the national hero of the Philippines?
a. Jose Rizal
b. Andres Bonifacio
c. Emilio Aguinaldo
d. Manuel Quezon
PREPARED BY: BSED MATH 3A
BAKING, GLYZA MAE C. FRANCIA, TAÑA P. GUZMAN, MICAH C. MONSUELO, JENNYLYN A. QUIAMBAO, ERICA B. RAMOS, ALTHEA R.

29. 17. The distracters should be equally popular with all examinees.
GUIDELINES FOR WRITING MULTIPLE- CHOICE ITEMS
Example
Who is considered the national hero of the Philippines?
a. Jose Rizal (Correct)
b. Andres Bonifacio (Another significant figure in Philippine history, known as the "Father of
the Philippine Revolution")
c. Emilio Aguinaldo (The first president of the Philippines, but not considered the national
hero)
d. Manuel Quezon (The second president of the Philippines, known for his efforts towards
Filipino nationalism)
PREPARED BY: BSED MATH 3A
BAKING, GLYZA MAE C. FRANCIA, TAÑA P. GUZMAN, MICAH C. MONSUELO, JENNYLYN A. QUIAMBAO, ERICA B. RAMOS, ALTHEA R.

30. 18. The stem and options should be on the same page
GUIDELINES FOR WRITING MULTIPLE- CHOICE ITEMS
Example
PREPARED BY: BSED MATH 3A
BAKING, GLYZA MAE C. FRANCIA, TAÑA P. GUZMAN, MICAH C. MONSUELO, JENNYLYN A. QUIAMBAO, ERICA B. RAMOS, ALTHEA R.

31. 19. The letter of options should be consistently written as a
small letter or capital letter.
GUIDELINES FOR WRITING MULTIPLE- CHOICE ITEMS
Example
PREPARED BY: BSED MATH 3A
BAKING, GLYZA MAE C. FRANCIA, TAÑA P. GUZMAN, MICAH C. MONSUELO, JENNYLYN A. QUIAMBAO, ERICA B. RAMOS, ALTHEA R.

32. Thank You for Listening!