Best Practice Tips for the Assessment of Learning of Undergraduate Nursing Students via Multiple-Choice Questions

AIM This article explores the current literature regarding multiple-choice testing and presents best practice tips to incorporate when designing a multiple-choice test. BACKGROUND Multiple-choice testing is used extensively in undergraduate nursing programs as an evaluation tool, yet many nurse educators struggle with developing high quality multiple-choice tests. Flawed multiple-choice items disadvantage nursing students, conceivably resulting in failing tests they should have passed. METHOD This integrative review included articles published in English from 2008 to 2017; the electronic databases explored were CINAHL, Scopus, ERIC, and Education Source; and 17 search terms were applied. Twenty-eight articles were included in the final sample. RESULTS The integrative review of the literature revealed 29 valuable tips, via four categories, for developing and using multiple-choice tests. CONCLUSION New and seasoned educators will benefit from this refreshing update, armed with best practice tips to consider the next time a multiple-choice test is designed.