25 multiple-choice question examples, formats, and tips
Multiple-choice questions (MCQs) are one of the most popular research tools for surveys and questionnaires. They help researchers collect clear and structured data on whatever they want to achieve. Insights specialists can use them to understand customer preferences, measure knowledge, or analyze market trends.
Selecting the right type of multiple-choice questions can save both researchers and marketers time and, by saving survey participants time as well, boost response rates.
In this article, we look at the basics of multiple-choice questions, show you different format examples, and finalize our overview with a ready-to-use list for your research. By the end of this guide, you’ll know how to design multiple-choice questions that yield meaningful, actionable data.
What is a multiple-choice question?
A multiple-choice question is a question type where respondents are provided with a number of answers from which to choose the option or options that best reflect their opinion. Unlike open-ended questions, it provides a fixed set of answers that makes the analysis of responses more convenient and also makes the comparison of results easier.
MCQs are used in a wide range of surveys and when creating an efficient questionnaire strategy. They are easy to answer, reduce ambiguity, and can be quantified quickly. These questions might be employed to measure knowledge, opinion, behavior, or preference according to the purpose of the research.
Here’s a multiple-choice question example: Which of the following social media platforms do you use most often?
- X
- TikTok
- Other
Respondents simply have to tick one option, which makes it easy to collect and analyze information about social media usage.
Multiple-choice question format examples to use in your surveys
Depending on the survey question types and the kind of responses you want, multiple-choice questions can be displayed in different formats. Picking the right format makes the survey easier to answer and simplifies data analysis.
1. Radio buttons
Your respondents see all the options and can select one answer by clicking a circle.
When to use: Good for short lists where you want a clear choice.
Example:
What is your preferred mode of transportation?
- Car
- Bicycle
- Public transportation
- Walking
2. Checkboxes
Respondents can select one or more options by checking boxes.
When to use: Good format for questions where multiple answers are valid.
Example:
What kind of content do you consume online?
- Blogs
- Videos
- Podcasts
- News articles
3. Dropdowns
Respondents select an answer from a collapsible list, which keeps the survey compact.
When to use: Ideal for long lists, such as countries, job roles, or regions.
Example:
What is your current job role?
- Manager
- Team Lead
- Analyst
- Executive
- Junior
- Graduate
- Other
4. Matrix/grid
Respondents rate or select options for multiple items in a table.
When to use: Best for rating multiple related items using the same scale efficiently.
Example:
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25 multiple-choice questions to include in your research
Below we’ve gathered 25 MCQs designed to cover preferences, behaviors, and opinions across different areas. You can use them to create efficient trivia question multiple-choice surveys, or adapt them for customer feedback forms, employee engagement surveys, market segmentation studies, and more.
Single-answer questions
Respondents select only one option. The best format is radio buttons (one question per row) or as a dropdown (collapsible list).
- What is your age group?
- Format: Radio buttons/dropdown
- Options: Under 18, 18–24, 25–34, 35–44, 45–54, 55+
- Which device do you use most to access the Internet?
- Format: Radio buttons
- Options: Smartphone, tablet, laptop, desktop
- What is your primary source of news?
- Format: Radio buttons
- Options: TV, social media, newspapers, online news websites
- Which region do you live in?
- Format: Dropdown
- Options: Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, etc.
- How often do you shop online?
- Format: Radio buttons
- Options: Daily, weekly, monthly, rarely, never
- What type of content do you prefer consuming online?
- Format: Radio buttons
- Options: Articles, videos, podcasts, infographics
Multiple-answer questions
Respondents select more than one option. A typical format for these questions is a checkbox.
- Which social media platforms do you use regularly?
Options: Facebook, Instagram, X, LinkedIn, TikTok, Other
- Which product features matter most to you?
Options: Price, quality, brand reputation, design, sustainability
- Which types of content do you consume online?
Options: Blogs, videos, podcasts, infographics, news articles
- Which hobbies do you enjoy in your free time?
Options: Reading, sports, traveling, gaming, cooking
- Which payment methods do you use for online purchases?
Options: Credit/debit card, PayPal, bank transfer, digital wallet
- Which health-related habits do you follow regularly?
Options: Exercise, Healthy eating, Meditation, Regular checkups
- Which factors influence your purchase decisions the most?
Options: Price, brand reputation, reviews, promotions/discounts, recommendations
- Which types of emails do you usually open?
Options: Promotional, newsletters, product updates, event invitations, surveys
Likert scale questions
Usually used to measure agreement or satisfaction, Likert scale questions can be shown as individual radio buttons or as a matrix (multiple items on one scale).
Radio buttons format
All of the following questions should have these response options:
- Strongly agree
- Agree
- Neutral
- Disagree
- Strongly disagree
Although you can also add additional “Slightly agree” and “Slightly disagree” options.
- I am satisfied with the quality of our products.
- I would recommend this product/service to others.
- The website is easy to navigate.
- Our customer support resolves issues promptly.
- I feel confident using this product/service without assistance.
- I feel that my opinions are valued when providing feedback.
Likert scale questions don’t always have to range from “Agree” to “Disagree”. For example, in the case of this question: “How satisfied are you with our service?"
- Very dissatisfied
- Somewhat dissatisfied
- Neutral
- Somewhat satisfied
- Very satisfied
Matrix format
- How frequently do you engage in the following health-related activities?
- How often do you purchase the following groceries?
- How likely are you to use these features in a mobile app?
- How satisfied are you with the following aspects of our app?
- How often do you use the following services from our company?
When and how to use multiple-choice questions
Multiple-choice questions are extremely versatile. However, to use them effectively, you should understand when to use them and how to design them for the best results.
When to use multiple-choice questions
You can employ multiple-choice questions when you need quantifiable data that is easy to analyze. These questions are the top option if you want to compare preferences, behaviors, or attitudes across a large group, or are conducting surveys in business, academic, or marketing research where consistency matters.
How to design multiple-choice questions
- Keep options mutually exclusive: Avoid overlapping answers that confuse respondents.
- Include an “Other” option with a free entry field: This allows for the collection of responses outside the predefined list.
- Limit the number of choices: Too many options can overwhelm respondents. Instead, use 4–7 for single-response questions – unless it’s a dropdown.
- Use clear and simple-to-understand language: Try to avoid jargon, abbreviations, or confusing terms.
- Apply helpful software: You can use a market research platform like Checkbox to easily create, distribute, and analyze multiple-choice questions, ensuring accurate data collection and actionable insights.
How to select the correct type/format
- Single answer questions (radio buttons or dropdown): Use single answers and present them in the form of radio buttons or a dropdown when one option is clearly correct or preferred.
- Multiple-answer questions (checkboxes): Use this type of question in the format of checkboxes when respondents may select multiple applicable choices.
- Likert scale/matrix questions: This is the appropriate type and format for measuring ranges in attitude, satisfaction, or frequency across multiple items efficiently.
Common pitfalls to avoid
Avoid leading or loaded questions as they may encourage biased responses. Also, don’t include too many similar options that may confuse the respondent and dilute the results. Ensure response scales are balanced, such as an equal number of positive and negative options.
Final thoughts
Multiple-choice questions are among the most powerful tools in research. They can gather structured data that's actionable quickly and efficiently.
For marketers, these questions reveal customer preferences and tactics to help you create targeted campaigns and strategies. In academic research, they make response analysis easier. Businesses, meanwhile, can use them to measure customer satisfaction, monitor trends, and make decisions that enhance processes, products, and services.
To obtain reliable results from your surveys, design clear questions and choose an appropriate question type and format.
Cloud or on-premises survey software solutions like Checkbox will help you to create online surveys, with customizable multiple-choice questions and advanced analytics to enable you to capture the audience's values, interests, behaviors, and other patterns easily.
Request a demo to explore Checkbox’s features and craft efficient, user-friendly surveys.
Multiple choice FAQs
Start with a clear, focused question, add multiple-choice question answer options that are mutually exclusive, and, if appropriate, include an "Other" category. The wording should be simple and phrased neutrally.
The length it takes to complete a test or survey with fifty multiple-choice questions will generally take around fifty minutes, according to an analysis by the Kansas Curriculum Center.
It’s a question that provides respondents with a set of predefined response options, from which the respondent can choose one or more. This format allows researchers and data analysts to gather organized data to get insights.
