Multiple choice¶
A multiple-choice item presents a prompt followed by several possible answers. The test-taker selects the correct answer from the options provided.
The practice test below covers different use-cases of this item type.
In the screen captures below you can view an example of a simple multiple-choice item type, we've used text for the content of the item but you could include images.
Multiple-choice simulation
Choose how to try it. See it in action: Dev Patel answers three multiple-choice items in 2026 Y9 Numeracy Practice, each laid out a different way. Or create one: Hannah Price adds a new multiple-choice item, then sees it as test-takers will. A guide sits beside each step. Just want to look around? Skip straight to free practice.
Practice test
Open this test in the Janison test player to view examples of multiple-choice items.
Create a multiple-choice item¶
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Navigate to Author > Items.
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Select Add Test Item from the Actions drop-down.
The New item form opens.
- Complete the form as required. Below is an example of a new item we created.
Select Multiple Choice as the Type and enter the item in Item stem.
- In the next section we can set the orientation and scoring type.
Orientation – The options are Horizontal and Vertical. This will determine if the distractors display to the test-taker horizontally or vertically. We have added examples of both these options in the sample test.
If you select the horizontal orientation, an additional field displays where you can select the Options Per Line. This determines how many columns display to the test-taker. We've provided two examples of options per line in the example test at the top of the page.
Scoring Type – The options are Correct/Incorrect and Per Distractor. See Setting scores and marking below to learn more about this.
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Check Shuffle if you want the options displayed to test-takers in different orders.
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Enter each answer in the Answer column and select the correct one in the Correct column. The table always ends with an empty row: start typing in it and a new row appears below.
- The final step is to Save Test Item.
Setting scores and marking¶
Multiple-choice items are system marked.
There are two scoring types available, Correct/Incorrect and Per Distractor.
Scoring type¶
Correct/Incorrect - The correct answer scores 1 and every other answer scores 0.
Per Distractor - You give each answer its own score, so a nearly right answer can earn part marks. These fields appear:
Min Score – The lowest score the item can give. Insights works it out from the answers' scores and the Default Score, so you can't edit it.
Max Score – The highest score the item can give. Insights works it out the same way, so you can't edit it either.
Default Score – The score for a response that doesn't match any answer.
A Score column appears in the answer table, where you set the score for each answer.
