OMR is a technology which uses hardware to detect the presence or absence of marks. This process is entirely automated, although it requires the use of specialist answer sheets, each of which is capable of holding 75 answers. A number of schools use an OMR system called Multiquest from Speedwell to do their optical mark recognition.

The most common use of optical mark recognition is to process student responses to a multiple choice exam, or responses to a questionnaire or feedback form. Typically the questions are provided on paper, and students mark their responses onto special pre-printed forms. These forms are then read automatically.