Writing a good multiple-choice question is harder than it looks. Following clear guidelines for writing multiple choice questions helps ensure that test takers are challenged to think, apply what they know, and not just guess their way through.
Anyone can put together a quiz, but crafting questions that actually measure knowledge takes some thought.
MCQs have their strengths. They’re quick to mark, easy to deliver online, and can cover a wide range of material in one test. At the same time, they’re best used alongside other forms of assessment like essays or projects. To really test higher-level thinking, the details matter: how you word the question, how you design the answer options, and how you avoid common pitfalls. This guide walks through the essentials of writing fair, clear, and effective multiple-choice questions.
Key takeaways
- Strong stems matter — A clear, concise, and specific stem sets up the question so test takers know what’s being asked without relying on answer choices.
- Balanced answers prevent guessing — The correct answer should be accurate but similar in tone, length, and style to the distractors so it doesn’t stand out.
- Distractors drive quality — Good distractors are plausible and reflect common misconceptions, making the question challenging and reducing lucky guesses.
- Clarity and fairness are essential — Avoid awkward grammar, vague wording, negative phrasing, and patterns in answer placement (e.g., always “C”), as they can confuse or mislead test takers.
- Avoid common pitfalls — Don’t use “All of the Above,” “None of the Above,” extreme words (“always,” “never”), or joke answers, since they weaken the question and make the correct choice obvious.
- MCQs are powerful but limited — They effectively assess knowledge and, if well-written, can test higher-order thinking, but they should be combined with other assessments for a complete evaluation of learning.
Key components of multiple-choice questions
Every MCQ has three building blocks: the stem, the correct answer, and the distractors. How you write each part makes or breaks the question.
The stem is the question itself. It should be clear, specific, and free of fluff. A strong stem sets up the problem so test takers don’t need to read the answer choices to understand what’s being asked. For instance, “Which city is the capital of Canada?” is better than “The capital of Canada is ___.”
The correct answer is the only fully accurate option. To avoid giving it away, keep it similar in length and style to the other choices. If one answer is noticeably longer or more detailed, test takers may pick it without knowing the material.
The distractors are the wrong answers — but they should still make sense. Good distractors reflect common misconceptions, making them feel like possible answers to anyone who doesn’t fully understand the topic. Weak distractors, by contrast, make the correct answer too easy to spot.
When all three parts are balanced, MCQs become a reliable way to measure both knowledge and understanding.
How to write multiple-choice questions
The best MCQs don’t happen by accident — they follow a clear process. Start by writing the question stem. Then decide on the correct answer. Only after that should you create the distractors. This order keeps the focus on what you actually want to test.
Strong distractors are essential. They should look and sound like the correct answer, both in tone and length. The goal is to make test takers stop and think rather than instantly spotting the right choice.
Clarity matters. The stem and the answer options should read smoothly together. Awkward grammar or vague wording can give away the right choice or confuse the test taker. Keep the language simple, precise, and direct.
Answer placement also deserves attention. If the correct answer always shows up as option C, people will notice. Mix up the order and keep all options roughly the same length so nothing stands out.
Ultimately, the purpose of a multiple-choice question is to reveal what someone really knows — not how well they can read between the lines. Thoughtful writing makes sure the test does its job fairly.
What not to do when writing multiple-choice questions
There are a few common habits that weaken multiple-choice questions. One is using “All of the Above.” If a test taker spots two correct answers, they don’t need to think further — they can just pick “All of the Above” and move on. Similarly, “None of the Above” hides whether they actually know the right answer.
Another trap is negative wording. Questions like “Which of the following is NOT true?” often confuse test takers. If you must use them, emphasize the negative word (for example, bold it), but wherever possible, reframe the question in a positive way.
Avoid extreme language such as “always” or “never.” These are rarely correct, and test takers learn to dismiss them. Equally, avoid “joke answers” that make the correct choice obvious. Humor has a place in teaching, but not in distractors.
Finally, remember that MCQs have limits. They’re great for checking knowledge across a wide range of content, but they won’t measure creativity, problem-solving, or deep reasoning on their own. To get a full picture, combine MCQs with other types of assessment.
What are distractors?
Distractors are the incorrect answer options in a multiple-choice question. They aren’t just filler — they’re the part that makes the question challenging. Well-written distractors look realistic and reflect the kinds of mistakes a test taker might make if they don’t fully understand the concept.
For example, in a nutrition question about whole foods, distractors might include orange juice or bran cereal. Both sound like possible answers, but only someone with a clear grasp of the concept will pick the correct one, such as a grapefruit.
The secret is balance. Distractors should be written in the same style and length as the correct answer so nothing stands out. They should be wrong, but not ridiculous.
Good distractors raise the quality of an MCQ by cutting down on lucky guesses. When every option looks equally likely, only true knowledge will lead test takers to the correct choice.
FAQs
What is an MCQ?
An MCQ, or Multiple-Choice Question, is a type of assessment question that asks the test taker to choose the correct answer from a list of options. It has a question stem, one correct answer, and several distractors.
What is an MSQ?
An MSQ, or Multiple-Select Question is a type of test assessment question where the test taker has more than one correct answer, requiring them to identify all valid options.
What is the difference between MCQ and MSQ?
Multiple choice questions (MCQs) have one correct answer, while multiple selection question (MSQs) can have two or more. In MSQs, test-takers must select all correct answers to receive credit.
How many options should a multiple-choice question have?
Three to five options is ideal for multiple-choice questions. More than five rarely adds value and can lower the quality of questions.
Can MCQs really test higher-order thinking?
Yes, multiple-choice questions can test higher-order thinking— if written carefully. Using scenarios or case-based questions prompts test takers to apply their knowledge, rather than just recall facts.
Is it OK to use humour in distractors?
Yes, it is ok to use humour in distractors but only if it’s subtle, relevant, and still plausible. Avoid joke answers that make the right choice obvious.
Should I randomize the answer order for every test taker?
Yes, you should randomize the answer order if your system allows it. Randomizing options reduces patterned guessing and helps prevent cheating.
Are MCQs enough to assess learning?
MCQs are not enough to assess learning on their own. MCQs are efficient, but combining them with essays, projects, or case studies provides a more comprehensive understanding.
How LEAi accelerates the process of writing MCQs
Multiple-choice questions are a practical and powerful assessment tool when written well. By following these guidelines for writing multiple-choice questions, you can create tests that are clear, fair, and meaningful.
Another option is to use AI-powered LEAi to help you quickly write multiple-choice questions. Simply upload your content, and the tool will automatically suggest the learning objects, course content, and assessment questions, like multiple-choice questions. Since the tool is created by learning specialists, LEAi will provide MCQs that have clear stems, realistic distractors, and all potential answers are balanced in length.
For those tasked with creating hundreds of multiple-choice questions for examinations in certification programs, our new Question Banks offering allows you to complete the task in a few minutes, rather than days.
Contact us to learn more about how LEAi can meet your course and assessment creation needs.
