Cover test (multiple choice questions)

Last revised by Frank Gaillard on 27 Jul 2022

The cover test is useful when running down a question checklist as part of reviewing the quality of multiple choice questions. A question which passes the cover test is one where the answer can be arrived at without the aid of reading the alternatives (i.e. can you answer the question when the alternatives are covered). 

It is particularly relevant to knowledge integration questions and helps avoid ambiguous stem and lead-in which do not have a clear answer. 

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