Multiple-choice questions (MCQs) are a common assessment format composed of a stem (the question) and a set of alternatives (possible answers).
Here's a breakdown of their structure:
- Stem: This is the question or problem being presented. It should be clear, concise, and focused.
- Alternatives (Options): These are the possible answers to the stem. They consist of:
- Key (Correct Answer): The one best answer to the question posed in the stem.
- Distractors (Incorrect Answers): Plausible but incorrect answers designed to test the examinee's understanding of the material. Good distractors reflect common misconceptions or errors.
In summary, a multiple-choice question presents a question (stem) followed by several possible answers (alternatives), only one of which is the correct or best answer (key), while the others are incorrect but plausible (distractors).
