Writing Effective Multiple Choice Questions (CTE782)

Tuesday, October 16, 2018 9:30 am - 11:00 am EDT (GMT -04:00)


Location: MC 2036  Notes: Open to faculty (registration is required)

Multiple choice tests are efficient to administer and grade, but good questions are difficult to write. This workshop will provide strategies and tips for designing effective questions at various levels of knowledge (e.g. recall, application, evaluation). We will introduce basic item analysis as a tool to use in reviewing and improving test questions. Additional tools and educational  technologies that blend the use of multiple choice questions with active learning will be shared and discussed, providing options to incorporate this type of learning activity into any discipline.

Facilitators: Kyle Scholz (CTE), Monica Vesely (CTE) and Mary Power (CTE)

Learning Outcomes: By the end of this session you will:

  • Identify the properties of good multiple choice test questions;
  • Recognize test item clues used by test-savvy students;
  • Interpret basic item analysis results;
  • Analyze some of your own multiple-choice questions (optional 30 min).

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Accessibility

The University of Waterloo is committed to achieving barrier-free accessibility for persons with disabilities who are studying, working, or visiting at Waterloo. If you have questions concerning access, such as parking, building layouts, or obtaining information in alternative formats, or wish to request accommodations for a CTE workshop or event, please contact CTE via email (cte@uwaterloo.ca) or phone (ext. 33857) and include the session’s title and date. Our workshops typically involve a mix of presentation and discussion-based activities, and we encourage a scent-free environment. We also welcome accompanying assistants, interpreters, or note-takers; notify us if accommodations are needed in this regard. Please note that some accommodations may require time to arrange.