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Guidance to learners for Multiple Choice Examinations (MCE)

The questions in the multiple-choice examination are designed to assess learning of:

·         Core terminology and foundational knowledge

·         Applied knowledge

·         Interpretation and reasoning of data

·         Problem-solving and decision-making

MCE questions require students to evaluate scenarios, weigh evidence, and select the best option from several plausible alternatives.

Preparing for your MCE

1)      There are typically four alternatives for each question, with one correct answer.

2)      The number of questions in the MCE is dependent on the weighting of this part of the assessment for this module.

3)      The timing is one question per minute on average. Keep in mind the timing of the MCE.

4)      Practice on the sample tests that are available on Moodle. Look to complete them within exam conditions.

5)      The MCE is open book. Prepare your notes to access them easily. There will be limited time per question to refer to your notes.

Tips for sitting MCE’s

There are many strategies for maximising your success on multiple choice exams. The best way to improve your chances, of course, is to study carefully before the exam. However, even a well-prepared student can make silly mistakes, or can fall prey to options that are designed to look very similar to the correct answer. Here are a few tips to help reduce those errors:

1. Read the instructions for each question carefully. For example, you might be asked to 'Mark one correct answer', or you might be asked to 'Mark all correct answers.'
2. Be sure that you have filled out the answer according to the instructions given. 
3. Answer all the questions. There are no penalties for wrong answers. It is good practice to answer all the questions, even if you are unsure of the answer.
4. If you find yourself taking a long time over one question, skip it and come back later. 
5. Try answering the shorter questions first and leaving more time for the slightly longer questions.
6. If you return to a question you have skipped and are still unsure, try a process of elimination. Eliminate any alternatives which are: obviously wrong, completely unfamiliar to you from the course, the same i.e. two answers that mean the same thing, grammatically/semantically inconsistent (i.e. don't make sense).
7. Try covering up the possible response with a piece of paper of your hand while you read the stem/body of the question. Try to anticipate the correct response before you are distracted by seeing the options. Then, uncover the responses.
8. If you see the response that you anticipated, make a note and then check to be sure that none of the other responses are better. 
9. If you have time, check your working before you submit your paper. A multiple-choice exam does not enable 'partial credit.' If you ticked or filled in the wrong option, your answer is 100% wrong, and you will not achieve the mark. 
10. True or False Questions:

·         Read the statement very carefully.

·         If every part of the statement is true, the answer is true. 

·         If only one part is false, the answer is false.

·         Look out for negatives, e.g. 'It is not the case that...'

·         Take care with comparative statements e.g. 'X is not the case that...'

·         Look out for words like 'always' and 'never'.

Tips when revising for MCE’s

For multiple choice exams, you will need to know all of your course material well. Revising for these types of exams will probably involve learning, recalling, and applying facts and information. Start as early as possible so that you can keep revisiting the information you need to learn. 

When organising your notes:

• Pay particular attention to fundamental terms and concepts that describe important events or features, or that tie related ideas together. 
• Make lists and tables. Concentrate on understanding multi-step processes, and on things that form natural sequences or groupings. Look for similarities and differences that might be used to distinguish correct choices from distractors in an exam. 
• Highlight vocabulary and key definitions and be sure that you understand them. 
• Re-organise your material into questions. Record facts in the form of answers. 

When revising:

• Do not simply memorise definitions. Be sure that you know what the definitions mean. 
• Write questions on index cards with answers on the back, or on your phone or tablet. Carry them with you everywhere so that you can test yourself in spare moments. 
• Set yourself challenges to condense key information into three sentences, or to fit it all on to one index card etc.
• Brainstorm possible questions with others. 

Links to related documents

Online Examination Proctoring:

EPA Improvement Practitioner L4 : Online Examination Proctoring | Advance Assessments

Multiple Choice Examination Curriculum:

EPA Improvement Practitioner L4 : Multiple Choice Examination Curriculum | Advance Assessments