When your assessment or survey includes matching-type questions, or sub-questions that map several rows to several columns, a matrix block becomes essential. Addmen Group specialises in designing OMR (Optical Mark Recognition) sheets featuring matrix-type answer blocks, ensuring high accuracy and efficiency in scanning and data capture.
A matrix block on an OMR sheet is a structured answer area where multiple rows and multiple columns of bubbles are provided. Each row corresponds to a sub-question, and each column corresponds to an answer option for that sub-question. For example, one question might have 4 rows (A, B, C, D) and 4 options (P, Q, R, S) for each row. Such structures are commonly used for:
Column-matching questions (e.g., connect Item A in the left column with the correct option in the right column)
Passage-based questions with multiple sub-parts
Complex MCQs where multiple rows must be answered in one block
Rows and Columns
Typical design examples:
4 rows × 4 columns (rows labelled A–D, columns labelled P–S)
5 rows × 5 columns in some advanced formats (rows A–E, columns P–T)
How to Mark
For each row, the candidate selects one bubble from the available columns. For example: Row A → column P, Row B → R, Row C → S, Row D → Q. The final marked answer string becomes “P-R-S-Q”.
Scoring Considerations
Some assessments award marks for each correctly answered row (partial scoring). Others require all sub-parts of the matrix block to be correct to award marks (all-or-nothing). Knowing how your test will score helps in designing the block correctly.
Matrix blocks bring clarity, structure and efficient scanning to question formats that are not standard MCQ (single row, four options). They provide:
Compact layout: Multiple sub-questions use one block space rather than repeating separate blocks.
Clear mapping: Rows mapped to answers reduce confusion versus free-text or uncontrolled formats.
Seamless scanning: Properly designed matrix blocks integrate smoothly with OMR/ICR systems, improving data capture accuracy.
At Addmen Group, we handle the full process of designing OMR answer sheets with matrix blocks, ensuring your layout is scan-ready and tailored to your question format:
Custom configuration: Choose number of rows and columns as required (4×4, 4×5, 5×5 etc).
Optimised bubble design: Bubble size, spacing and alignment are ensured for machine readability.
Clear labelling: Row and column labels (A, B, C… / P, Q, R…) are clearly defined in design.
Scoring logic support: We design with your scoring scheme in mind (row-wise scoring, full block scoring etc).
Integration with scanning: Layouts are calibrated to work with OMR scanners, minimising rejects and errors.
Bubble size and spacing must meet scanner requirements — insufficient size or tight spacing can cause misreads.
Clear instructions on sheet must tell respondents how many bubbles to mark (e.g., “Mark one bubble in each row”).
Print quality: Ensure high contrast, correct margins and no misalignment; indexing points must be accurate.
Calibration: If using pre-printed or externally printed sheets, calibration in the software is crucial.
Mapping output values: When scanning results, ensure the software correctly maps each row and column to the output string (e.g., A=P, B=R etc).
Scoring clarity: Understand if scoring is per-row or all-or-nothing, and design layout accordingly.
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