Scoring methods for multiple choice assessment in higher education – Is it still a matter of number right scoring or negative marking?

•We present an overview of existing scoring methods for multiple choice tests, in which strengths and weaknesses are provided.•We argue to focus on alternative scoring methods, rather than to focus on the two most commonly used methods number right scoring and negative marking.•Growing need to evaluate alternatives in valid and ecological settings.

In higher education, a multiple choice test is a widely known format for measuring student's knowledge. The debate about the two most commonly used scoring methods for multiple choice assessment – number right scoring (NR) and negative marking (NM) – seems to be a never-ending story. Both NR scoring as NM do not seem to meet the expectations. However, available research hardly offers alternative methods. Clearly, there is a growing need to explore these alternative scoring methods in order to inform and support test designers. This review aims to present an overview of (alternative) scoring methods for multiple choice tests, in which strengths and weaknesses of each method are provided.