Why Smart Students Struggle with Multiple-Choice Questions

Thursday, August 28, 2025, 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM PST, WSU Spokane - Medicine Building (SMED) 126, Spokane, WA

AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ (1.00 hours), Non-Physician Attendance (1.00 hours)

This session presented by Susan Hecker, MD, FACP and Jennifer Troiano, MD will provide insight as to why students may struggle with multiple-choice (MCQ) style format assessments. Learn how faculty context experts can support students in exam success.

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1. Identify key factors considered for students referred to the Student Learning Center who are struggling with multiple choice exams.
2. Provide a framework for how students can effectively approach learning objectives, retrieval strategies and multiple-choice questions.
3. Demonstrate how the skills required to answer vignette-based multiple-choice questions mirror those used in clinical decision-making.

The Washington State University (WSU) Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

The WSU Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine designates this Live Activity for a maximum of 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Participants should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

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Disclaimer

The material presented in this continuing medical education program is being made available for educational purposes only. This material is not intended to represent the best or only methods or procedures appropriate for the medical situation discussed; rather the material is intended to present an approach, view, statement, or opinion of the authors or presenters, which may be helpful or of interest to other practitioners. This program does not represent or speak on behalf of Washington State University and/ or Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine. Participants should carefully consider all available scientific data before acting on knowledge gained through this activity.

Mitigation of Relevant Financial Relationships

Washington State University Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine adheres to the ACCME’s Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education. Any individuals in a position to control the content of a CE activity, including faculty, planners, reviewers or others are required to disclose all financial relationships with ineligible companies within the past 24 months. This information is listed below. All relevant financial relationships, if applicable, have been mitigated. No others in control of content had any relevant financial relationships. If the topic is non-clinical, financial disclosures are not required.