Multiselect answer type (Simple Editor)

You can use the Simple Editor to create or edit the multiselect answer type in an item. This answer type is used for multiple-choice questions in which students select more than one correct answer.

Mobile-compatible answer type: You can use this answer type to create mobile-ready Mastering questions which can be completed on a smartphone, tablet, or on a computer. Guidelines for mobile-ready items

ClosedStudent view of a multiselect question

Five possible answer choices to question "Which of the following are traditionally considered precious gemstones?"

 

ClosedAnswer box for a multiselect answer (Simple Editor view)

Answer box with 3 of 5 multiselect answers labeled as correct answers.

 

ClosedCreate an item with the multiselect answer type

You can use the multiselect answer type to create:

To create a multiselect answer:

  1. Click the Item Library tab.
  2. Click Create New Item on the right to open the Simple Editor in a new window.
  3. Scroll down to the Answer box for the part. Click the dropdown menu next to Answer Type (on the right) and choose multiselect. (The default is multiple choice.)

  4. In the Answer box, enter the following information:

    • [Optional] Add pre-text and post-text
    • Add correct answer and wrong answer choices
    • Set the position of answer choices (fixed or random)
    • [Optional] Add wrong-answer feedback to help students
    • [Optional] Add follow-up text in response to correct answers

    For detailed instructions, see the next sections.

  5. To save your edits, click Save (from the top toolbar) or the Save & Preview link (top right). Do NOT press Ctrl+S (Windows) or Command-S (Mac OS).
Closed[Optional] Add pre-text and post-text
  • Pre-text: Click the add pre-text link to enter a complete sentence or the start of a sentence to appear before the answer choices.
  • Post-text: Click the add post-text link to enter text to appear after the answer choices.
ClosedAdd correct answer and wrong answer choices
  1. Click in the text boxes to add answer choices. Use the editing toolbar and menus to format text (including TeX) or to insert tables, images, or links.
  2. [Optional] Click the add choice link to add more answer choices or Delete choice to remove an answer choice.
  3. Add a check mark in the box before each answer that is part of the correct answer.

  4. [Optional] Click add an additional correct answer and choose an additional correct answer set in the row of check boxes that appear. For example, if the original correct answer set is A and D, you can add B and C as another correct answer set.

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    (Note that no change is made to the check boxes above where the original correct answers remain selected.)

ClosedSet the position of answer choices (fixed or random)

By default, multiselect answers are presented to students in random order. However, you may need to set this to fixed, depending on your content.

  • To change a random order answer choice to fixed: Unordered answers have the unlocked icon on the right. To fix the order of an answer choice, click its unlocked icon so that it changes to locked.
  • To reorder the list of answers: Click the Move up or Move down arrows, as needed.
Closed[Optional] Add wrong-answer feedback to help students
  • Although optional, it is recommended that you provide wrong-answer feedback. Wrong-answer feedback can help students learn from their mistakes or incorrect choices.
  • Mastering provides the initial feedback "Incorrect; Try Again", followed by the follow-up text. ClosedExample of wrong-answer feedback in student view (Standard View)

This example of wrong-answer feedback says Incorrect; Try Again. What are the three particles that make up an atom and its nucleus? One of them is a constant, and the other two can vary.

Wrong-answer work area with 3 columns: "If the student selects these answers", "and doesn't select these answers", "Show this response"

  • More specific wrong-answer feedback combinations should be first in your list of responses, with more generic answers further down the list.
  • For any publisher item you may have copied, note that the order of the wrong answer responses is set so students have a specific experience with what feedback they receive and when.

To add wrong answer-feedback for the multiselect answer type:

  1. Click the add wrong-answer feedback link to enter your feedback text for incorrect answer choices.
  2. Enter check marks in the first column (for wrong answer selections) in combination with check marks in the second column (for correct answers).

  3. In the "Show this response" column, enter your wrong-answer feedback for the particular combination of answers.

    Use any of the toolbar icons that become active to format text or to insert tables, images, or hyperlinks.

  4. Click add response to generate additional rows for as many answer combinations as you need. As noted above, it's best to provide more specific feedback higher in the feedback list.

    To reorder wrong-answer responses: Click the "" Move Up or "" Move Down arrows to reorder the wrong answers and associated feedback.

    To delete wrong answer responses: Click Delete choice in the row for the response.

  5. [Optional] To check your edits without saving, click Validate (from the top toolbar) to verify the XML.
  6. To save your edits, click Save (from the top toolbar) or the Save & Preview link (top right). Do NOT press Ctrl+S (Windows) or Command-S (Mac OS).
  7. [Optional] Test the student experience of wrong-answer feedback by submitting different incorrect answers in the saved item.
Closed[Optional] Add follow-up text in response to correct answers

Follow-up text appears after students submit a correct answer, to reinforce learning by offering more information or providing an interpretation of the answer the student just submitted.

  1. Click the add follow-up text link.
  2. Enter your answer feedback, using your keyboard and options from the editing toolbar and menus.

 

ClosedEdit multiselect answers

You can make the following edits to multiselect answers:

Important: Unless you are prepared to lose answer information, do NOT change a multiselect answer type to multiple choice. This action cannot be undone.

To edit multiselect answers:

  1. Open the Simple Editor so that the item you want to edit appears in the Edit Item window.
  2. Navigate to the Answer box for the multiselect question you want to edit. (The multiselect answer type can be assigned to a part or a Socratic hint question.)
  3. [Optional] Change the content of answer choices: Click in the answer choice box and make your edits. Use the editing toolbar and menus to format text (including TeX) or to insert tables, images, or links.
  4. [Optional] Designate different correct answers: Add a check mark in the box before each answer that is part of the correct answer. If needed, clear any check marks for answers that are incorrect.
  5. [Optional] Add answer choices: Click the add choice link below the choice boxes.
  6. [Optional] Delete answer choices: Click Delete choice on the right of the answer choice box.
  7. [Optional] Change the position of answer choices: To set the position of an answer so that it is fixed, first click the Move Up or Move down arrow to get the answer choice in position. Then click the unlocked icon to change it to locked. (Any answer choices that are unlocked are presented to students in random order.)

  8. [Optional] Add or delete any additional correct answers.

    • Add an additional correct answer set: Click add an additional correct answer and choose an additional correct answer set in the row of check boxes that appear. For example, if the original correct answer set is A and D, you can add B and C as another correct answer set.
    • Delete an additional correct answer: Click delete choice to the right of the Also Correct answer.
  9. To save your edits, click Save (from the top toolbar) or the Save & Preview link (top right). Do NOT press Ctrl+S (Windows) or Command-S (Mac OS).

See also:

Multiple choice answer type

Mobile-ready items

Answer types you can use in the Simple Editor

Edit item elements

Specify chapter and section for items you create or edit

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