WORKSHOP ON ENHANCING COMPETENCY IN WRITING AND EDITING MULTIPLE-CHOICE QUESTIONS (MCQs)

Intending to continuously improve the quality of assessment in medical education, on April 14, 2025, the Center for Medical Education – University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City (UMP HCMC), in collaboration with the MEF (Medical Education for Future) Project Office, organized a Workshop on Enhancing Competency in Writing and Editing Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs).

Image 1. MD. PhD Nguyen Duc Khanh delivering the opening remarks and introducing the program.

The program was conducted under the academic guidance of experts in the field of assessment, including:

• Assoc. Prof. MD. PhD Le Khac Bao

• Assoc. Prof. MD. PhD Vu Minh Phuc

• Assoc. Prof. MD. PhD Pham Thi Minh Hong

The morning session focused on designing multiple-choice questions based on Bloom's taxonomy, with particular attention to developing questions that assess higher-order thinking skills. After a theoretical session presented by Assoc. Prof. MD. PhD Vu Minh Phuc, participants practiced reviewing and editing pre-prepared questions, incorporating peer and expert feedback. This activity contributed to strengthening critical appraisal skills and deepening understanding of how to construct MCQs that effectively assess higher-order thinking.

Image 2. Assoc. Prof. MD. PhD. Vu Minh Phuc presenting on designing assessment questions for higher-order thinking.

Image 3. Assoc. Prof. MD. PhD Le Khac Bao facilitating the discussion session on MCQ revision.

Image 4. Lecturers actively contribute ideas to revise MCQs.

In the afternoon session, the focus shifted to optimizing distractors, constructing appropriate clinical scenarios, and avoiding common item-writing flaws. Assoc. Prof. MD. Pham Thi Minh Hong emphasized the crucial role of distractors in ensuring question quality. Common errors in distractor development were synthesized, categorized, and discussed to propose feasible solutions aligned with teaching and assessment practices.

 Image 5. Assoc. Prof. MD. PhD Pham Thi Minh Hong sharing on optimizing distractors in MCQ development.

The workshop concluded successfully with strong academic leadership from the experts and enthusiastic engagement from the participating faculty. The program contributed to enhancing knowledge and skills in designing assessment items aligned with training objectives and expected learning outcomes. Notably, the open, serious learning attitude and collegial collaboration throughout the program fostered a positive and inspiring academic environment. This serves as an important foundation for promoting a culture of innovation, continuous improvement, and development in medical education.

Image 6. Lecturers actively participating in hands-on activities during the workshop

The regular organization of similar professional workshops is essential for building a faculty workforce capable of assessment, thereby supporting the standardized and sustainable development of the item bank.

Image 7. Group photo of lecturers