Wondering what subjective questions are and how they differ from their objective counterparts?
These questions offer numerous applications and are often used in language proficiency tests and opinion polls.
In this article, you will learn what subjective questions are, their uses, their importance, and how they differ from objective questions.
What are subjective questions?
Questions that call for explanations as replies are considered subjective questions.
Using subjective questions, you can gauge how someone feels, thinks, and perceives something. For instance, you may ask them about their favorite clothing brand or how they felt about the level of customer service.

The examiner cannot predetermine any one single response as the only correct response to the question since these questions encourage test-takers to create their own original answer based on their knowledge of the subject.
Subjective inquiries may need candidates to write essay-style responses and provide definitions, scenarios, or opinions in plain text.
What are examples of subjective questions?
Essay questions, short response inquiries, definition inquiries, scenario inquiries, and opinion inquiries are examples of subjective questions.
For instance, you can prepare a questionnaire, and then you have to ask people to fill this questionnaire and they will give their opinion about the certain topic that you have addressed.
Another example of the subjective type of questions is essay writing where a student is desired to provide his opinion regarding a certain topic or subject.
How do you answer subjective questions?
You can answer subjective questions by using the readings and lectures from class or sourced information to derive answers. You will also need your creative thinking to support your arguments when taking a test containing subjective questions.
For whatever opinions you make, you must support them with examples, proof, and rationale. In questionnaires, you are asked for your opinion and feelings regarding a stated concern.
You have the choice of selecting true or false or can choose one of five options that include the expressions Strongly Disagree, Strongly Agree, Agree, Disagree, and Neutral. In order to properly poll the public’s viewpoint, this has to be done.
The following are some pointers for answering subjective questions:
1. Read the instructions
You must be certain of the number of queries you must respond to. By reading the instructions carefully, you have an understanding of what needs to be done to properly answer the questions.
2. Get clarification if confused
If after reading the question, there is still something you don’t understand, don’t be hesitant to ask for clarification.
3. Manage your time effectively
While you might not have to respond to a question with a page-long essay, you might end up spending a lot of time answering a query.
Skip difficult questions and revisit them once you’re answering other questions. Time management is key.
4. Understand the question
Be sure that you understand the question before giving your answer. The guidelines in the question should be carefully read. Giving an incorrect response could happen if you misunderstand the question.
5. Follow the laid-out format
If the format for the essay answer is predefined, abide by it to avoid losing points. Before the test, verify with your teacher.
6. Answer honestly as possible
Create a thoughtful response. If your response takes the style of an essay, you must first organize it so that it has an introduction, body, and conclusion.
Write down the important ideas, concepts, keywords, and arguments in support of each section of the essay.
What is the difference between a subjective and objective question?
While subjective questions require your opinion and conjecture, objective questions require answers founded on unbiased facts.
Students are required to choose an answer from a list of options or to enter a word or phrase in objective question types. There is just one right response given.
Subjective question formats, however, give students the freedom to compose an original response in their own words.
Questions with predetermined answers are typically referred to as objective questions. Using a triangle as an example, how many sides does it have? The grader can immediately tell if an answer is right or wrong after seeing your response.
Subjective questions, on the other hand, rely on the grader’s assessment of the response. For grading these, evaluations are frequently helpful so that both the test-taker and the examiner are aware of the critical components needed in the response.
Which is better between objective or subjective questions
Both subjective and objective assessments have uses that make them important but are both useful for evaluating a test taker’s knowledge and problem-solving skills.
It usually comes down to whether something is based on verifiable facts or on personal experience. When discussing an idea or sensation that is dependent on your viewpoint or preferences, use subjective responses.
However, use the word objective when describing something that is neutral and founded only on observable or verifiable facts, such as an assessment, decision, or report.
Importance of subjective questions?
Subjective test questions assess the test taker’s writing and language skills, especially if the objective is to assess language competency.
They are relatively simple to formulate and can be created faster than multiple-choice or objective questions.
Subjective queries, unlike matching, true/false, and multiple choice questions, make it difficult for you to guess the answer. These queries also help you to demonstrate your comprehension of the subject better than multiple-choice queries.
FAQs
Is a questionnaire subjective or objective?
Questionnaires are subjective since they are used to elicit subjective information about people’s views and opinions.
Why are questions subjective?
They are subjective because the answers are dependent on an individual’s perspective.
Subjective inquiries are open-ended queries in which candidates must justify their responses to a specific topic.
What are the applications of subjective questions?
Essays, short responses, definitions, scenario discussions, and opinion polls all use subjective questions.
Conclusion
Unlike objective questions that give factual answers, subjective questions require that you answer based on your understanding of the topic. This means that your answer to the query does not have to be exact and can rely on your perception of the topic.
Additionally, subjective queries are sometimes utilized for immigrants taking language proficiency tests. These questions typically test their understanding of the language with the question asked and how well they answer it.
However, because responses to subjective queries are based on personal views or opinions, they sometimes open doors to making biased statements or giving wrong opinions. This is the exact opposite of objectivity and being objective.
I hope you found this article helpful. You can also learn what it means to be objective and the benefits associated with it.
Thanks for reading.