Becoming the Riddler. Writing effective MCQ's

This brief tutorial provides the following guidelines for creating effective multiple-choice questions (MCQ's):
1. Choose an important topic from the learning objectives
2. An effective MCQ possesses a stem, lead-in and answer choices
3. The stem should be meaningful by itself
4. Write the question as if it were a short answer test using straightforward prose
5. Remember the power of good distractors
6. Test the application of knowledge rather than recalling a single fact