Why Have Four-Option Multiple Choice Questions

摘要

The Navy Advancement Center (NAC) insists that the multiple-choice items used in Navy Enlistment Advancement System (NEAS) examinations have four options. The correct answer to each question should have an ease of around 50 percent and the incorrect alternatives (off alts) should split the other 50% randomly. Among examination developers, the complaint is occasionally heard that the fourth option is hard to develop and is often not in play. Would it not be better to write better three-option items. The answer is 'no' and this paper explains why.