Which component is NOT part of a multiple choice item?

In a multiple choice item, the stem is the question or statement that presents the problem or scenario, while the key is the correct answer that the test-taker should identify. Distractors are the incorrect answers provided to challenge the test-taker and to ensure that they discriminate between the correct option and other plausible but incorrect responses.

The rubric, however, is not a component of a multiple choice item. Instead, a rubric is typically a scoring tool used to evaluate performance or responses in assessments that involve subjective judgment. It outlines criteria for grading or scoring, making it a broader tool often used in assignments or projects, rather than in the context of multiple choice questions. Therefore, recognizing that the rubric does not fit within the structural components of multiple choice formats clarifies why it is the correct answer to this question.