Guidelines for the development of multiple choice items & assessments.

All assessment methods have varying strengths and weaknesses, and it is appropriate that multiple formats, such as MCQs, OSCEs and portfolios, are used within a robust programme of assessment for undergraduate and postgraduate medical programmes. This booklet is designed to provide guidance to RCSI staff on the development of multiple choice items and assessments specifically. As such, it is an introduction to multiple facets of this process, such as item writing, assessment blueprinting, standard setting and item analysis as they relate to multiple choice assessments, but is not intended to provide a comprehensive review of all of these individual topics, and covering each of these in depth is beyond the scope of this booklet.