Definition
A written test question consisting of a stem (the question or incomplete statement) followed by a list of possible answers, of which one is the correct or best response and the others are plausible but incorrect alternatives, called distractors. It is a selected-response item used to measure knowledge, comprehension, or application of subject matter.
Plain English
A test question where the student picks the right answer from several choices listed below it.
Context Anchor
Seen in aviation instructor training, ground school quizzes, stage checks, and FAA knowledge-test preparation.
Why Pilots Care
This format is the standard structure of FAA written exams, where distractors test precise knowledge rather than broad recall.
Intuition Check
Do not assume “multiple choice” means several answers are correct. In this use, there may be several choices, but the student is expected to choose the correct or best one.
Example Sentence 1
The instructor wrote a multiple choice-type test item with one correct answer and three plausible distractors to check the students' understanding of airspace classes.
Example Sentence 2
Instructors review each multiple choice-type test item to ensure it accurately measures the student's grasp of procedures.