noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no'
essay-style; free-form answer
Describes a test or question format where the answer is written in sentences or paragraphs, as opposed to multiple-choice or fill-in-the-blank. Common in educational contexts.
この試験には記述式の問題が含まれています。
This exam includes essay-style questions.
記述式の回答は部分点がもらえることが多い。
Essay-style answers often receive partial credit.
論述式 is a more formal term for essay-type questions, often used in academic or professional exams, whereas 記述式 is broader and can include short-answer written responses.
Compound of 記述 (description, account) and 式 (style, format).