Display Quesiton in 4 Columns

I don't think I fully understand your question? So you have 12 students ... I am confused about how you want the info organized.

What do you want in the columns? ... obviously you want the students in the cells, but you only want four students per row?

If this is the case

<cfoutput>
<table>
<tr>
<td>#student.firstname# #student.lastname#</td>
<td>#student2.firstname# #student2.lastname#</td>
<td>#student3.firstname# #student3.lastname#</td>
<td>#student4.firstname# #student4.lastname#</td>
</tr>
<!---continue this same structure with the rest of the students--->
</table>
</cfoutput>