The Choice Matrix requires learners to evaluate one or more row items using a set of column options.

Figure 1: Choice matrix question example.

Create a Question

Watch the "How to Author a Choice Matrix Question" tutorial video.

Enter a question in the Compose Question area. List the Choice Matrix stems and click on +Add for each new stem. Click on the trash can icon beside a stem to remove it.

Under the Options heading, enter choice matrix response options, e.g. True/False, Yes/No etc. Click on +Add once for each new option. See example in Figure 2. The button to the left of each field allows you to re-order how the Stems appear to the learner, through simple drag and drop.

Figure 2: Choice matrix basic parameters.

In order to configure a valid response for the question follow these steps:

• In the Set correct answer(s), enter a value in the Point(s) box to initialize a mark for the question. The default is set to 1.
• Underneath, you will see the choice matrix you just created. To indicate correct responses simply click on the correct response option for each stem as shown in Figure 3.
• If the question has more than one correct response option per stem enable Multiple Responses. This option can be found above the More options button.

Figure 3: Choice matrix question validation.

The following scoring types are available in Choice Matrix questions:

• Exact Match - Learner must answer all parts of the question correct to receive a mark.
• Partial Match Per Response - Each correct response element will be awarded an individual score.
• Partial Match - Each correct response element will be scored individually and the overall question score will be divided between responses.

Figure 4: Choice matrix scoring types.

Other Scoring options:

• Unscored/Practice usage type - Enabling this option will remove all scoring from the question.
• Penalty point(s) - The value entered here indicates marks that will be deducted from the learner for an incorrect response.
• Minimum points if attempted ¹ - Points awarded to the learner for attempting the Question, regardless of a correct or incorrect response.
• Check answer button - If this is enabled, a "Check answer button" will appear to the learner alongside the question; clicking this button will indicate to the learner if their answer is correct or incorrect, but it will not tell them the correct response. This can be useful for informal assessment.
• Check answer attempts - The value entered here will indicate how many times the learner can use the "Check answer button". A value of 0 indicates an infinite number of times.

More options

Under the More Options menu you will find the Layout section where you can configure question style options:

Layout - Table

Layout - Inline

Stem Numeration: available for Block layout. Options include: Number, Uppercase Alpha and Lowercase Alpha as shown below. 

Stem Numeration - Number

Stem Numeration - Upper

Stem Numeration - Lower

In order to add a title to a stem column, insert it in the Stem Column Title. The title will appear above the stems row. To add a title to the response options column add it in the Option Row Title.

• Stem Width defines the width of the stem column and Options Width sets the width of each option column. Both values should be inserted in pixels.
• Show horizontal lines under stems enables horizontal lines underneath each stem in the choice matrix.

'Extra' options

The extras section in the authoring interface allows you to add more information about the Question, information that we refer to as metadata.

There are a number of fields available: acknowledgements, contains math, distractor rationale, distractors, instructor stimulus, rubric reference, sample answer, and stimulus (review only).

To learn more about the options shown in the Extras section, see Understanding the Extras Section of the Question Editor.

1. Note: “Minimum points if attempted” replaces the earlier label “Minimum score if attempted”. Version added: v2026.1.LTS