The Comprehensive integrated puzzle (CIP) item type asks the candidate to complete a matrix where each row represents a case (a patient, a diagnosis, a study) and each column represents an attribute. CIPs are used in clinical reasoning and similar high-stakes assessments.
CIP is auto-scored.
Create a CIP item
In a collection, select + Add and choose Comprehensive integrated puzzle.
- Enter the title for internal use.
- Enter the question in the rich text editor.
- Set the matrix size by adding rows and columns to suit your case structure.
- Enter the column headers. Typical headers represent steps in diagnosis or treatment.
- In the first column, enter the row identifier for each case (a diagnosis, study, or patient subgroup).
- Fill each cell with the correct answer text.
- Optionally add distractors per column, separated by commas.
- Set the maximum score.
- Save and close.
For a distractor that contains a comma (for example 3,14), wrap the value in quotation marks: "3,14", "3,16".
Score and scoring type
CIP supports both dichotomous and polytomous scoring. Set this in Options:
- Dichotomous: the candidate must complete every cell correctly to earn the score.
- Polytomous: the candidate earns partial credit based on the number of correct cells.
See Polytomous and dichotomous scoring.
Candidate experience
Candidates see an empty matrix with the row identifiers and column headers in place. They select from each cell's drop-down (the correct answer plus distractors from that column). Cells without distractors accept any value.
Related articles
- How to add and use items
- Financial statement for similar matrix-based questions with numeric values.
- Polytomous and dichotomous scoring