How to Create MCQ, CQ & SQ Questions
Detailed guide for creating Multiple Choice, Creative, and Short questions with LaTeX support
How to Create MCQ, CQ & SQ Questions
Course37 supports three question formats, each designed for different assessment needs. All types support rich text, images, and LaTeX for mathematical notation.
MCQ — Multiple Choice Questions
The most common format, ideal for auto-graded assessments.
Structure
| Component | Description | Required |
|---|---|---|
| Question Text | The question prompt | Yes |
| Option A | First choice | Yes |
| Option B | Second choice | Yes |
| Option C | Third choice | Yes |
| Option D | Fourth choice | Yes |
| Correct Answer | One or more correct options | Yes |
| Explanation | Why the answer is correct | Recommended |
| Marks | Points for this question | Yes |
Example
Question: What is the SI unit of force?
A) Joule
B) Newton ✅
C) Watt
D) PascalExplanation: Force = mass × acceleration. The SI unit is kg⋅m/s², which is called the Newton (N).
MCQ Best Practices
- All options should be similar in length and format
- Correct answer should not always be the same letter
- Distractors should be plausible but clearly wrong
- Avoid "All of the above" and "None of the above" when possible
- Include a clear explanation for learning purposes
CQ — Creative Questions
Scenario-based questions with multiple sub-parts, common in Bangladeshi education board exams.
Structure
| Component | Description | Required |
|---|---|---|
| Stem | The scenario, passage, or context | Yes |
| Sub-questions | Parts (a), (b), (c), (d) | Yes (min 2) |
| Individual Marks | Points per sub-question | Yes |
| Model Answer | Expected answer for each part | Recommended |
| Marking Guide | How to allocate partial marks | Recommended |
Example
Stem: A car starts from rest and accelerates uniformly at 2 m/s² for 10 seconds, then moves at constant velocity for 20 seconds.
(a) What is the final velocity after acceleration? [2 marks]
(b) Calculate the distance covered during acceleration. [3 marks]
(c) Calculate the total distance covered. [3 marks]
(d) Draw the velocity-time graph for the entire journey. [2 marks]
CQ Best Practices
- The stem should provide enough context for all sub-questions
- Sub-questions should progress from easier to harder
- Mark allocation should reflect difficulty and expected work
- Include a detailed marking guide for consistent grading across teachers
SQ — Short Questions
Direct questions requiring brief text answers.
Structure
| Component | Description | Required |
|---|---|---|
| Question Text | A direct, focused question | Yes |
| Expected Answer | Short text answer | Yes |
| Keywords | Key terms the answer must contain | Recommended |
| Marks | Points for this question | Yes |
Example
Question: Define Newton's Second Law of Motion.
Expected Answer: Newton's Second Law states that the rate of change of momentum of a body is directly proportional to the applied force and takes place in the direction of the force.
Keywords: rate of change, momentum, force, direction
SQ Best Practices
- Keep questions focused and specific
- Expected answers should be concise — 1-3 sentences
- Keywords help with auto-grading hints when used
- Allocate marks based on the depth of expected response
LaTeX Support
All question types support LaTeX for mathematical notation:
Inline Math
Wrap LaTeX in single dollar signs: $E = mc^2$ renders as $E = mc^2$
Block Math
Wrap in double dollar signs for centered display:
$$\frac{-b \pm \sqrt{b^2 - 4ac}}{2a}$$
Common LaTeX Examples
| Expression | LaTeX Code |
|---|---|
| Fraction | $\frac{a}{b}$ |
| Square root | $\sqrt{x}$ |
| Power | $x^{n}$ |
| Subscript | $x_{i}$ |
| Greek letters | $\alpha, \beta, \gamma, \theta$ |
| Integral | $\int_{a}^{b} f(x) dx$ |
| Summation | $\sum_{i=1}^{n} x_i$ |
| Vector | $\vec{F}$ |
The question editor includes a live preview so you can see the rendered LaTeX as you type.
📸 Screenshot: LaTeX editor with live preview
Adding Images to Questions
- Click the image icon in the question editor toolbar
- Upload an image or paste from clipboard
- Images can be added to:
- Question text
- Individual options (MCQ)
- Stem and sub-questions (CQ)
- Supported formats: PNG, JPEG, SVG, GIF
Related Articles
- How to Add Questions — Single, bulk, and AI methods
- How to Manage Question Banks — Central question repository
- How to Generate Exam Sets — Randomized exam sets
- How to Manage Exams — Complete exam workflow