Question paper format and template (free Word)
A ready-to-edit exam paper with the header, general instructions and four sections most schools and coaching institutes use, plus a blueprint to keep the paper balanced.
Free to use, edit and share. Opens in Microsoft Office, Google Docs and Sheets, and LibreOffice.
Structure of the question paper
| Part | Contents |
|---|---|
| Header | Institute name, exam name, class, subject, subject code, time allowed, maximum marks, date |
| General instructions | Number of sections, marks per question, internal choice, rules on calculators and diagrams |
| Section A | Multiple-choice questions, 1 mark each |
| Section B | Very short answer questions, 2 marks each |
| Section C | Short answer questions, 3 marks each |
| Section D | Long answer questions, 5 marks each, with internal choice |
| Blueprint | A teacher-only table of marks by chapter and question type (remove before printing) |
Change the number of questions and marks to match your exam pattern. The blank lines in the instructions are there to fill in.
How to set a good question paper
- Start with the blueprint. Decide how many marks each chapter gets, in proportion to its weight in the syllabus.
- Mix difficulty. A common split is about 30% easy, 50% medium and 20% hard.
- Test different skills: recall in Section A, understanding in B and C, application and analysis in D.
- Write clear questions. One task per question, no trick wording, and marks shown next to each.
- Offer internal choice in long answers, where both options test the same skill at the same level.
- Time it. Solve the paper yourself; learners usually need two to three times as long as you do.
- Write the answer key and marking scheme at the same time, so marking is consistent.
Example blueprint for an 80-mark paper
| Question type | Questions | Marks each | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| MCQ (Section A) | 20 | 1 | 20 |
| Very short answer (B) | 5 | 2 | 10 |
| Short answer (C) | 10 | 3 | 30 |
| Long answer (D) | 4 | 5 | 20 |
| Total | 39 | 80 |
Question papers for coaching and competitive exams
For competitive-exam practice, match the real exam's pattern exactly: the same sections, number of questions, time and negative marking. Practising under real conditions matters as much as the questions themselves.
Running tests online
Printed papers work for the classroom. For practice tests and test series, online exam software saves printing and marking: objective questions are marked automatically, and you see results by learner and batch straight away. Results can feed straight into a report card.
Common questions
Is this question paper format free?
Yes. The Word file is free to download, edit and use.
What is a question paper blueprint?
A table showing how marks are spread across chapters and question types. It keeps the paper balanced and in line with the syllabus. The template includes one for the teacher.
Can I change the number of sections?
Yes. Delete or copy sections in Word and update the general instructions to match.
Can the same questions be used for an online test?
Yes. Objective questions like MCQs work well online and are marked automatically in online exam software.
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