Effective Multiple-Choice Questions - Top Tips

Multiple choice questions are one of the most commonly used assessment formats in workplace learning, and one of the most commonly misused. Too often, they test recall of poorly written content, rely on guesswork, or introduce unnecessary confusion through weak wording and implausible options. This one-pager is designed to help you do better, without abandoning the formats your organisation already uses.

This practical guide walks through how to design multiple choice questions that are clear, fair, and genuinely useful for both formative and summative assessment. It focuses on helping learners understand exactly what is being asked, while ensuring the question itself meaningfully checks understanding or decision-making, rather than trivia or memory alone.

Inside the resource, you’ll find:

• A breakdown of the anatomy of an effective multiple choice question
• Guidance on clear, accessible question presentation
• Advice on writing meaningful stems that focus on performance and judgement
• Tips for creating plausible distractors without trickery
• Common pitfalls to avoid when writing MCQs for e-learning

This resource is part of the wider thinking taught in our Competent Creator program. The program supports learning professionals to build stronger, more credible digital learning by developing core skills in assessment design, instructional writing, accessibility, and evidence-informed practice. If you want to move beyond content creation and towards confident, competent learning design, this guide is a good place to start.