When designing formative multiple-choice questions (MCQs), one common challenge is dealing with a long list of necessary actions or steps. Including all these in a single question can overwhelm learners, leading to poor question design with redundant distractors or irrelevant options. One technique that could help in such cases without falling into the tarp of poor choices (inlcuding the infamous 'all of the above') is to employ the concept of Exformation.

What Is Exformation?

Coined by Danish scientist Tor Nørretranders, exformation refers to the deliberate omission of information that is already known or obvious to both the sender and the receiver. It contrasts with information, which includes all the data communicated. By focusing only on the unknown or the less obvious, exformation creates clarity, directs attention, and enhances communication.

Applying exformation to MCQs

Recently, I faced a design challenge while writing a scenario-based formative quiz for learners tasked with evaluating the completeness of actions in a professional context. The scenario involved multiple steps, and including all possible actions in a multi-choice, multi-answer format would have made the question cumbersome, confusing, and ineffective.

Inspired by the concept of exformation, the solution that i camp up with was to was to provide the more familiar steps upfront in the scenario itself. Then, challenged learners to determine whether these steps were sufficient to proceed or if critical actions were missing.

This approach shifted the focus from rote memorisation to critical thinking. Instead of forcing learners to sift through a long list of option (including poor distractors), the question directed their attention to areas of frequent mistakes or gaps in knowledge.

Possible ways to apply this technique 

Here are three possible ways to incorporate exformation into your MCQs:

Multiple-Choice Options

Present a list of specific options to evaluate or select, focusing on gaps or missing actions.

Example: "What additional steps must be taken to ensure success?"

Use when you want learners to pinpoint specific missing actions or decisions.

Yes/No with Explanation

Ask whether the provided steps are sufficient, followed by an explanation of their reasoning.

Example: "Are these steps enough to proceed?" (Options inlcude Yes/No with the possible missing step)

Use when you want to assess learners' decision-making skills and their ability to articulate understanding.

Only Yes/No Options

Simplify the question to a binary decision, omitting explanations.

Example: "Are these steps enough to proceed?" (Options: Yes/No)

Use for quick assessments of learners’ ability to identify sufficiency without overcomplicating the task.

Why This Works

Using exformation in MCQs achieves several key outcomes:

Reduced cognitive load: Learners focus on the critical gaps or missing elements rather than wading through irrelevant information.

Realistic scenarios: Questions mirror real-world decision-making, where professionals often evaluate whether actions are sufficient before proceeding.

Effective assessment: By targeting common mistakes or overlooked steps, the question assesses practical application rather than rote knowledge.