noun
essay question; written-answer question
Refers to a test question that requires a written answer, as opposed to multiple-choice or fill-in-the-blank. Common in academic and exam contexts.
この試験には記述問題が3問あります。
This exam has three essay questions.
記述問題は選択問題より難しいと思う。
I think essay questions are harder than multiple-choice questions.
Compound of 記述 (description, account) and 問題 (question, problem).