How to Produce Visual Material for Multiple Choice Examinations

The difficulty of testing the skill of visual recognition, in the absence of face-to-face contact between examiner and candidate, has stimulated the development of visual material for inclusion in multiple choice question (MCP) papers set in postgraduate examinations conducted three times a year in multiple centres. Having considered various modes for the presentation of such visual material, the use of multiple prints was chosen. This paper describes the techniques that have been used for the production of multiple prints of radiographs, CT scans, surface anatomy photographs, and histological and histopathological material. Guidelines for the production of high quality prints, with indicators, and with sufficient clarity and definition to maximise fairness to the candidates answering the questions, are given. Particular emphasis is paid to the need for the content expert to work in close liaison with the photographer in the production of such material.