Taking a perceptive tests with assumptions such as in the real-life situations questions (will not require technical knowledge but tests only honesty) as in PENNSYLVANIA STATE POLICE CADET ORAL EXAMINATION  has a total of twenty five (25) minutes to complete the examination for the specific actions.

The MCQ when mostly technical may not require more time (hardly the time required for reading and understanding is enough) but when analytical, varying with the time of comprehension and calculation the examination hours need to be decided.

Personally i feel that all examinations should be limited to 2.5 to 3 hours max.

Time to answer a question should not be regimental but should have allowance (at times even natural breaks need to be considered) to treat the student as a human and make them feel at ease to answer and be evaluated for learning.

http://www.patrooper.com/template/upload_files/2015_Oral_Examination_Preparation_Guide.pdf

Sandra:

Here in the Caribbean, we don't use a lot of MCQs, especially at the tertiary level as we inherited a British System of education that used more essay type assignments. See the link to a related article in RG that might be helpful to your question.

Best regards,

Debra

Article Multiple Choice Tests: More than a Time Saver for Teachers

Colleagues, 

Thank you all for responding. I was able to find the information in  Nitko & Brookhart (2006) Educational Assessment of Students  

• The evaluation needs to be common and should be carried out  within a commonly agreed time.
• May be a pre-examination  briefing is essential for guiding the students on any doubts that they may have.
• Preparation of students before evaluation is as good as evaluation so that it builds confidence in students and allows  them to participate without fear.