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Create a Multiple Binary Item

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This lesson provides step-by-step guidance on creating an Multiple Binary Item in the Item Bank. This item type is structured like a table, where each row after the header row functions as a "question," and each column, other than the first, represents an "answer choice." Multiple Binary items should be used with answer choices that are mutually exclusive. The answer choices hold a set of radio buttons with one correct answer. This article guides users through creating a Multiple Binary Item.

Before You Begin

Multiple Binary and Matching Table items are very similar. Consider the appropriate item type:

  • Multiple Binary uses radio buttons, where Matching Table uses checkboxes, and both are formatted as a table with a minimum of 3 columns.
  • For a Multiple Binary item, each "question" row holds a set of radio buttons with exactly one correct answer per row. For Matching Table items, each question row holds a set of check boxes with potentially more than one correct answer per row.
  • Multiple Binary items should be used for answer choices that are mutually exclusive. Matching Table items should be used with answer choices that are not all mutually exclusive, and may overlap.

If a Matching Table item type seems more appropriate, take a look at Create a Matching Table Item.

Where to Start

The Assessments navigation tile.
  1. Select Assessments.
  2. Select Browse Item Bank.

Create a New Item

The Create Item and Multiple Binary item type buttons
  1. Select Create Item.
  2. Use the drop down menu to select Multiple Binary as the item type.

Multiple Binary Item

An example Multiple Binary item, with the Item Stem labeled as step 5, number of Columns labeled as step 6, first column header labeled as step 7, answer column labels labeled as step 8, question rows labeled as step 9, answer radio buttons labeled as step 10, the trash can icon labeled as step 11, the two-line icon labeled as step 12, and + Add Another Row labeled as step 13.
  1. Enter the Item Stem. The stem is the beginning part of an item. For a simple item like the example above, the stem might just tell the student to select True or False for each row. Often, however, the stem will include additional information that the student will need to consult to answer the question.
    • To insert a line break in the Stem, use shift-return (or shift-enter, depending on the keyboard).
  2. Enter how many columns the item should have. The first column will represent the "question" and the others will be the "answer choices." 3 columns minimum.
  3. Enter a header for the first column. (Optional) If there is a natural category that describes all of the questions, users may want to enter it here. For instance, Statement, Number, or Shape. If there isn't a term that seems like a natural fit, leave the header blank. 
  4. Enter an answer label for the remaining columns. It is best to keep these relatively concise, using words such as True/False or Yes/No. These cannot be blank, and duplicates are not allowed.
  5. Enter text into each question row. These are the questions that make up a Multiple Binary item, and are typically things that need to be categorized into one of the answer choices. These cannot be blank, and duplicates are not allowed.
  6. Use the radio buttons to select the correct answer choice for each question row.
  7. Use the trashcan to delete the question row.
  8. Use the 2-line icon to drag and re-order rows.
  9. Use + Add Another Row to create a new row.

Users can include images in question rows. To do so, it is first necessary to use Settings to turn on Enable Images. 

Drafted items are automatically saved.

Item Details

The item settings menus, with the Standards icon labeled as step 14, Passages labeled as step 15, Tags labeled as step 16, and the Settings and Properties menus labeled as step 17.
  1. To link Standard(s) to the item, select the Three Pages icon.
  2. To link a Passage to the item, select the Book icon.
  3. To add Tags to the item, select the Tag icon.
  4. Additional Settings are available to edit per item, such as Enabling Images for question rows, Teacher Instructions, and Rationale.

Item Preview

An example Multiple Binary item, with the Item Preview tab selected and labeled as step 18, the Role dropdown labeled as step 19, the item preview area labeled as step 20, and Check Answers labeled as step 21.
  1. Select Item Preview.
  2. Use the dropdown menu to preview the item from a Student or Instructor Role.
  3. Use the radio buttons to select a answers.
  4. Use the Check Answers toggle to verify correct answers. Correctly-selected answer choices will be colored green. Incorrectly-selected answer choices will be colored orange, with the unselected correct answer colored orange as well.

Publish Item

The Done menu, with Done labeled as step 22, Publish labeled as step 23, Save Draft labeled as step 24, and Discard labeled as step 25.
  1. When the item is completed, select Done.
  2. Select Publish to make the item available to use in an assessment.
  3. Select Save Draft to save the item, if it is not ready to be published.
  4. Select Discard to delete the item.

Once items are Published, they can be Locked, Edited, or Deleted.

Next Steps

Now that you have created a Multiple Binary item, learn about Creating an Item Bank Assessment.

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