title: A comparison of the difficulty, reliability and validity of complex multiple choice, multiple response and multiple true-false items.
abstract: Complex multiple choice (CMC) items, a type of multiple choice item used extensively in the health sciences, were compared with multiple response (MR) and multiple true-false (MTF) items. The results indicated MTF to be easier, more reliable and more valid than CMC items; therefore, test-makers such as the National Board of Medical Examiners who use CMC items are urged to explore alternatives item formats.
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D004521:Educational Measurement; D006281:Health Occupations / Q000193:education; D006801:Humans; D008722:Methods