Structure

A typical MCQ consists of at least three parts as follows:

Stem
The Stem is usually a short text that explains the problem at hand, the setting and gives information that is relevant for solving the question.

Question
Usually directly after the stem follows the question one has to answer. It should be short yet concise.

Answer options
Following the question comes a list of answer options from which one has to choose either as many as true or as many as requested. The incorrect answer options may be referred to as distracters. The correct answer may be called the key