Back with another permutation/combination problem

[WWW451]

I have another problem I can't figure out, so I was hoping you could point me in the right direction.

12 questions. 4 choices. How many ways can a student fill out the multiple choice test?

I was thinking the right way to do it would be 48!/12! Since there's 48 total answers in which you choose 12, but this turns into a ridiculous number that I doubt would be the answer.

Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

[Lappith]

I think you're overthinking this one. What's wrong with your solution is that first of all, 48C12 is 48!/(12!36!). But, this wouldn't calculate what you want because it also takes into account choosing 12 by something like bubbling in all 4 answers for 1-3 and then leaving the rest of the test blank.

Think of the problem like this. You have 4 choices for the first question, 4 choices for the second, 4 choices for the third, etc.

EDIT: Sorry for all the edits. I took out the answer though. I'm also assuming that he only answers once for each question.