Table 1 Shows the checklist for MCQs item quality

The question as a whole

1.

Does the question test application of knowledge rather than the recall of isolated facts?

2.

Does the question satisfy the” cover the options, hand” rule so that an answer can be formulated without seeing the options?

Options

3.

Are the options homogeneous in content and phrasing, similar in length, and parallel in structure?

4.

Does each option follow grammatically and logically from the lead-in?

5.

Does the correct answer avoid repeating words used in the stem (“clang” clue)?

6.

Are the distractors phrased to avoid repetition that clues to the correct answer (convergence)?

7.

Does each option avoid the use of absolute or vague terms, such as” always,” rarely,” usually,” and” never”?

8.

Has the option set been constructed to avoid using” None of the above” and” All of the above”?