This document provides a checklist for reviewing multiple choice test items to ensure they meet plain language and global English standards. The checklist contains items to check for the stem of the question, such as making sure it is a single question in the form of what, when, where, how, or why. It also contains items to check for the alternatives, such as making sure there is one correct answer and three plausible distractors that are similar in length and structure. References are to be international in nature rather than local. The document lists the reviewer's name but not a date.
1. Multiple-Choice Test Item QA Checklist
Sharon Gander, performancepi.gander@gmail.com
Use this checklist as an internal construct review for multiple-choice questions that are to meet Plain
Language/Global English standards.
1000
ITEM
#
Example
1. For Stems, ensure each:
2. Question makes sense. x
3. Is in the form of a question. x
4. Begins with words like what, when, where, how, how
much, and why. x
5. Contains only a single problem or situation. x
6. Uses second person; not “we”. N
7. Includes words that otherwise would be repeated in each
alternative. x
8. Uses bold words to qualify response, i.e., best, most
important, first. x
For Stems, ensure each does not:
9. Use imperial “we”. x
10. Teach. x
11. Contain sentences with more than 12 words. x
12. Contain unnecessary prepositional phrases. x
13. Contain negatives. (Or, if really needed, they negative
word is highlighted.) x
14. Make sense in relationship to the stem.
For Alternatives, ensure:
15. There is 1 right answer identified x
16. There are 3 plausible distraters x
17. Each ends with a period. x
18. Each makes sense in relationship to the stem. x
19. Standard formats are used. x
20. All are of similar length. x
21. All follow a parallel structure. N
For Alternatives, ensure each does not exhibit:
22. Unequal lengths N
23. “All of the above.” x
24. “None of the above.” x
25. Absolutes. x
26. Technical words or jargon. N
2. Multiple-Choice Test Item QA Checklist
Sharon Gander, performancepi.gander@gmail.com
27. Vague pronouns. x
28. Antithetical responses. x
29. Synonymous distracters. x
30. Overlapping. x
References:
31. A reference is provided x
32. Reference is appropriate for the item. x
33. Reference is international in nature rather than
local/regional/national. x
Document Control
34. Item has a valid number
35. SME Writer name is listed x
36. Reviewer's name is listed x
37. Document is dated