Definition
Test questions in which the student selects the correct answer from a set of choices supplied by the test writer, rather than producing the answer themselves. Common forms include multiple-choice, true-false, and matching items.
Plain English
Questions where the student picks the right answer from options the test gives them, instead of writing or saying the answer in their own words.
Context Anchor
Seen in aviation instructor material about building written tests, quizzes, and knowledge checks.
Derivation
From 'select,' meaning to choose from a group. The name simply describes what the student does on the question — they select an answer from choices already provided.
Why Pilots Care
Most FAA written knowledge tests use selection-type items, particularly multiple-choice. Knowing how these questions are built helps both instructors who design quizzes and students who recognize how the test is structured.
Intuition Check
Do not read “selection” as choosing which subject to study or which test to take. Here it means the student selects an answer from choices already provided in the test question.
Example Sentence 1
The instructor used selection-type test items so the answers could be graded quickly and consistently.
Example Sentence 2
Many FAA knowledge tests rely on selection-type test items because they allow quick, objective scoring.