Question Types Overview
BeamEdUp supports 7 question types to cover every assessment scenario — from quick factual checks to in-depth essay responses. Each type has its own creation form, grading behavior, and data structure.
All Question Types
MCQ (Single Answer)
Multiple choice with one correct answer. Students select one option from a list.
Best for: Factual recall, concept recognition, vocabulary
MCQ (Multiple Answers)
Multiple choice allowing more than one correct answer. Uses the multipleCorrect flag.
Best for: Multi-faceted concepts, "select all that apply" scenarios
True / False
Binary choice question. Students decide if a statement is true or false.
Best for: Fact verification, myth-busting, quick comprehension checks
Essay / Descriptive
Open-ended questions where students write free-text responses. Supports word limits.
Best for: Critical thinking, analysis, explanations, creative writing
Fill in the Blank
Students type answers into one or more blanks within a sentence or passage.
Best for: Recall, terminology, formulas, sentence completion
Matching
Students match items from a left column to corresponding items in a right column.
Best for: Associations, definitions, cause-effect relationships
Matrix / Hotspot
Matrix: grid-based selection across rows and columns. Hotspot: click on correct image regions.
Best for: Complex classifications, visual identification, diagrams
Comparison Table
| Type | Enum Value | Auto-Graded | Multiple Answers | Rich Text |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MCQ (Single) | MCQ | ✅ | No | ✅ |
| MCQ (Multiple) | MCQ | ✅ | Yes | ✅ |
| True / False | TRUE_FALSE | ✅ | No | ✅ |
| Essay | ESSAY | ❌ | N/A | ✅ |
| Fill in the Blank | FILL_IN_BLANKS | ✅ | Multiple blanks | ✅ |
| Matching | MATCHING | ✅ | Multiple pairs | ✅ |
| Matrix | MATRIX | ✅ | Grid cells | ✅ |
| Hotspot | HOTSPOT | ✅ | Multiple regions | ✅ |
Choosing the Right Type
- Quick knowledge checks — use MCQ (single) or True/False for fast, auto-graded assessments.
- Deep understanding — use Essay questions to assess reasoning, analysis, and writing ability.
- Terminology & recall — use Fill in the Blank for precise term recall without answer hints.
- Relationships & associations — use Matching to test connections between concepts.
- Complex classifications — use Matrix for multi-dimensional assessments across rows and columns.
- Visual identification — use Hotspot for diagram labeling, map identification, or image-based questions.