Mastering Multiple Choice Questions on the BOC Exam: Part One

In part one of this series, we’ll dive into how to master multiple choice questions on the Board of Certification (BOC) exam for athletic trainers. In the BOC exam, each multiple-choice question is composed of two main components:

1. The stem
2. A set of four or five answer choices

The stem introduces the central idea or premise of the question. Among the provided answer choices, only one is correct, while the others, known as distractors, are incorrect. Distractors in multiple-choice exams are the incorrect answer options designed to challenge the test taker’s knowledge and critical thinking. Their purpose is to appear plausible enough to catch those who may not fully understand the material or who might be guessing. Effective distractors can highlight common misconceptions or errors in reasoning, making it essential for the test-taker to carefully evaluate each option. By eliminating distractors, you can focus on selecting the correct answer, improving your chance of success on the BOC exam.

You will encounter four types of multiple-choice questions on the BOC exam:

1. Recall Questions
2. Clinical Application Questions
3. Analysis Questions
4. Synthesis Questions