| Abstract: | Traditionally, multiple choice tests have included four or five alternatives. Data from public sector employment tests are presented that indicate that tests composed of multiple choice items containing three alternatives have psychometric properties similar to those offered by tests composed of items containing five alternatives. Given the similarity of the psychometric properties and the likely reductions in cost of development and administration time, three-alternative multiple choice items may be preferable to five-alternative multiple choice items for some testing purposes. |
