Writing Effective Multiple-Choice Questions

Multiple choice questions (MCQs) are among the most widely used formats in health sciences education due to their efficiency in assessing broad content areas, ease of scoring, and suitability for computer-based testing. When well-constructed, MCQs can assess not only factual recall, but also application, analysis, and clinical reasoning. However, poorly written items can mislead students, encourage cueing, or test irrelevant knowledge. Research in medical education consistently emphasizes that MCQs should align with learning objectives, reflect cognitive complexity, and avoid flaws that compromise validity or reliability. Developing high-quality MCQs requires attention to both content and structure, as well as strategies to reduce bias and ensure fairness across diverse learners. TLC-To-Go is a production of the Teaching and Learning Center at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center. This episode was created using Google's NotebookLM. Visit http://tlc.uthsc.edu/resources for additional content.

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