Explanation

This question tests the fundamental counting principle, which states that the total number of choices is equal to the product of the independent choices. The five separate test questions means there are five independent choices.

For the three multiple-choice questions there are four options each, whereas for the two true/false questions there are two options each. Multiplying the independent choices yields (4)(4)(4)(2)(2) = 256 different ways to answer the exam.
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I understand the counting method. However, is there a reason we do not account for the order of the 5 questions? What part of the question insinuates this? Thanks!

My initial thoughts were a four-step process.

Step 1: # of possibilities for 3 multiple-choice questions: 4 * 4 * 4 = 64
Step 2: # of possibilities for 2 true-false questions: 2 * 2 = 4
Step 3:# of possibilities for the arrangement of the 5 questions where 3 multiple choice and 2 true-false: (5*4*3*2*1)/(3!)(2!) = 10
Step 4: Multiply them all together for 64*4*10 = 2560.

Why haven't we taken into account the fact that the order of the questions can be changed?

Because does not matter in this instance

Regards
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