DEVELOPING MULTIPLE - CHOICE QUESTIONS IN MATHEMATICS

In this paper we wish to illustrate different perspectives used to create multiple-choice questions and we will show how we can improve these in the construction of math tests.
As it is known, web technologies have a great influence on student’s behaviour. Based on an online project beginning at 2007 which has been contributing to help students on their individual work, we would like to share our experience and thoughts with colleagues who have a common concern when they have the task of constructing multiple choice tests.
We feel that multiple-choice tests play an important and a very useful supporting role in self-evaluation or self-examination of our students.
Nonetheless, good multiple–choice test items are generally more complex and time-consuming to create than other types of tests. It requires a certain amount of skill. However, this skill maybe increases through study, practice and experience.
This paper discusses a number of issues related to the use of multiple-choice questions, lists the advantages and disadvantages of this question format contrasting it with open questions. Some examples are given in this context.



References:
Text Resources:
Airasian, P. (1994) Classroom Assessment, Second Edition, NY: McGraw-Hill.

Gronlund, N.E. (1988) How to construct achievement tests (4 ed.). Englewood Cliffs, NJ:
Prentice-Hall.

Haladyna, T.M. and Downing, S.M. (1989) Validity of a Taxonomy of Multiple-Choice Item-Writing Rules. Applied Measurement in Education, 2 (1), 51-78.

Haladyna, T. M. (1994) Developing and validating multiple-choice test items. Hove, East
Sussex: LEA.


Websites:
Writing multiple-choice test items. ERIC AE Digest:
www.ed.gov/databases/ERIC_Digests/ed398236.html

More multiple-choice item writing do's and don'ts. ERIC AE Digest:
www.ed.gov/databases/ERIC_Digests/ed398238.html

Constructing classroom achievement tests. ERIC Digest:
ericae.net/edo/ed315426.htm

Samples of Multiple-choice questions from AP, PSAT and other tests produced by College Board:
www.collegeboard.org