Paper setting

Types of Questions in an Exam Paper: 20+ Formats Explained

Objective, short-answer, long-answer and competency-based questions explained with examples, what each one tests, and how to mix them in a school paper.

By Intellicamp Editorial Team Updated 15 October 2026 5 min read

Quick answer

Exam questions fall into four families: objective (MCQ, true or false, fill in the blanks, match the following, assertion-reason), short answer (very short, short), long answer (long answer, essay, derivation) and competency-based (case study, source-based, data interpretation, map and diagram questions). A good paper mixes all four so it tests recall, understanding, application and reasoning.

A paper is only as good as the questions in it, and the type of question decides what it can test. An MCQ can check recall in seconds; a case study shows whether a student can use an idea in a real situation. This guide explains more than 20 formats used in Indian school exams, with an example of each and when to use it.

The four families of exam questions

Family	Formats	Best at testing
Objective	MCQ, multiple select, true or false, fill in the blanks, one-word, match the following, assertion-reason, odd one out, sequencing	Recall, understanding, quick application
Short answer	Very short answer, short answer, definition, statement correction	Understanding and simple application
Long answer	Long answer, essay, derivation, numerical with steps	Structured reasoning and explanation
Competency-based	Case study, source-based, comprehension, data and graph interpretation, map and diagram questions	Applying knowledge to new situations

Objective questions

Multiple choice (MCQ): one correct option out of four. Which gas is released when zinc reacts with dilute hydrochloric acid? (a) Oxygen (b) Hydrogen (c) Chlorine (d) Carbon dioxide. Answer: hydrogen.
Multiple select: more than one option can be correct. Harder, because guessing does not work.
True or false: quick checks of facts. Ask students to correct false statements to make it harder.
Fill in the blanks: tests key terms. The SI unit of electric current is the ______. (ampere)
One-word answer: similar to fill in the blanks, without the sentence.
Match the following: pairs items in two columns, useful for terms and definitions.
Assertion-reason: students judge whether a statement and its reason are true and whether the reason explains the statement. Excellent for testing understanding. See our full set of assertion-reason questions for Class 10 Maths.
Odd one out: pick the item that does not belong and say why.
Sequencing: arrange steps or events in the right order, such as the stages of digestion.

Short answer questions

Very short answer (1 to 2 marks): a sentence or a single step.
Short answer (2 to 3 marks): a few sentences, a short calculation or a labelled sketch.
Definition: state a term precisely, ideally with an example.
Statement correction: correct the error in a given statement. Good for common misconceptions.

Long answer questions

Long answer (4 to 6 marks): a structured explanation with several points, often with a diagram.
Essay: an argued piece in languages and social science.
Derivation: derive a formula step by step, common in physics and maths.
Numerical with working: marks are given for each correct step, not just the final answer.

Competency-based questions

Case study: a short real-life situation followed by 3 or 4 linked questions. Our guide to case study questions for Class 10 Maths has one for every chapter.
Source-based: a passage, quote or extract followed by questions, common in history and English.
Comprehension: an unseen passage that tests reading and reasoning.
Data and graph interpretation: read a table or graph and draw conclusions.
Map-based: locate and label places in geography.
Diagram labelling: label or complete a diagram in science.

CBSE has steadily increased these questions. In the 2025-26 Class 10 sample papers, about half the marks go to competency-focused questions. Read what competency-based questions are, with examples.

How to mix types in one paper

A reliable structure for a 40-mark school test is:

Section A: 10 objective questions (1 mark each), including 2 assertion-reason.
Section B: 5 very short answers (2 marks each).
Section C: 3 short answers (3 marks each).
Section D: 1 case study (4 marks).
Section E: 1 long answer (7 marks).

Then check the thinking level of each question with Bloom's taxonomy, so the paper is not all recall. The Vanderbilt guide to Bloom's taxonomy is a helpful reference.

Where to see every format with a sample

Intellicamp can set and mark 24 formats, from MCQ to HOTS, across CBSE and GSEB. You can try a live sample of each on the question types page, then pick any mix in the question paper generator. Objective formats are marked instantly; written formats are marked against your rubric with teacher review through AI evaluation. For chapter lists, use the NCERT textbooks your board follows.

Key takeaways

Questions fall into four families: objective, short answer, long answer and competency-based.
Each tests something different; a good paper uses four to six types.
CBSE now gives about half of Class 10 marks to competency-based questions.

Frequently asked questions

What are objective type questions?

Questions with one fixed correct answer that can be marked against a key, such as MCQs, true or false, fill in the blanks, one-word answers, match the following and assertion-reason.

What is the difference between short and long answer questions?

Short answers usually carry 2 or 3 marks and need a few sentences or steps. Long answers carry 4 to 6 marks or more and need a structured explanation, derivation or argument.

What are competency-based questions?

Questions that ask students to apply what they learned to a real or unfamiliar situation, often through a case, a passage, a table or a graph. CBSE now uses them for a large share of Class 10 marks.

What are HOTS questions?

Higher Order Thinking Skills questions ask students to analyse, evaluate or create rather than recall. They can appear in any format, including MCQs.

How many question types should a school paper have?

For a 40 to 80 mark paper, four to six types is usually right: a section of objective questions, short answers, at least one case or source-based question, and long answers.