Writing user testing questions is a craft to learn. Get it wrong, and you risk distorted feedback that leads to incomplete or misleading insights — leaving critical design flaws unaddressed. But when done right — wow, those questions can be a game-changer, helping you create user experiences that truly resonate.
At Eleken, we’ve learned this firsthand while working on user testing for various projects. Asking the right questions isn’t just about gathering feedback, it’s about framing those questions to reveal what users genuinely think, feel, and need.
We want to help you do just that. In this guide, you’ll find practical tips, real-world examples, and templates to make usability testing easier and more effective. From avoiding common pitfalls to crafting questions for every testing phase, we want our readers to walk away ready to uncover feedback that drives better design.
Let’s start by breaking down what makes great usability test questions.
What makes good usability testing questions?
Imagine you’re designing a task management app and as a part of your UX research process want to find out if users can quickly create and organize tasks. Consider these two questions:
- “Was creating a task straightforward for you?”
- “Can you walk me through how you created your first task?”
The first question assumes everything went well and pushes the user toward a certain answer, so you might not get honest feedback. It’s also vague — what does “straightforward” mean? On the other hand, the second question is clear, neutral, and relevant. It prompts users to share specific feedback about their experience, which is far more useful for identifying pain points.
So, basically there are three main characteristics that make a question effective:
1. Clarity
Your questions should be easy to understand — no room for misinterpretation. Avoid technical jargon or overly complex phrasing. For instance:
- Instead of: “Does the CTA button align with your mental model of task initiation?”
- Try: “What do you think this button will do?”
Clear questions make it easier for users to focus on their experience rather than decoding what you’re asking.
2. Neutrality
It’s tempting to frame questions in a way that nudges users toward the feedback you hope to hear, but that’s counterproductive. Neutral phrasing ensures you capture unbiased insights.
- Bad: “Do you like how simple the task creation process is?”
- Good: “How would you describe your experience creating a task?”
Neutral questions leave space for honesty, whether it’s glowing praise or constructive criticism.
3. Relevance
Every question should tie back to the specific goals of your usability test and be appropriate for the person answering it. If you’re testing navigation, focus on task flow, clarity, and ease of use — don’t get sidetracked by unrelated aspects like color schemes.
A relevant question ensures you’re gathering feedback that directly impacts your design decisions. Here’s a story from our experience.
When working on the Populate app, we tested our prototypes with the client’s user base — doctors. One key screen allowed users to fill in visit information. While the dropdown design might not look flashy, it provided a critical advantage for our specific audience: doctors could complete forms without needing a keyboard, saving valuable time during patient consultations.
This insight came directly from user feedback during testing. Without their input, we might have prioritized aesthetics over usability for this specific audience.
By focusing on clarity, neutrality, and relevance, your usability survey questions can go from generic to transformative. These principles not only improve the quality of responses but also make your tests more productive.
Types of UX testing questions
Those who plan to conduct user testing for the first time definitely have a simple and logical question in their heads “What to ask in user testing?”
Different types of usability testing questions serve unique purposes. Some encourage users to explore and share their thoughts, while others focus on specific aspects of the experience. So, our goal here is to understand when and how to use different question types to uncover actionable insights.
Open-ended questions
Open-ended questions are designed to let users share their thoughts freely, without being restricted by predefined answers. They encourage participants to describe their experiences in their own words, often revealing unexpected insights that structured questions might miss.
When and why to use them:
- Use open-ended questions early in testing to gather exploratory feedback.
- They’re particularly useful for understanding users’ initial impressions, thought processes, and frustrations.
- Ideal for gaining qualitative insights that inform iterative design changes.
Common use cases:
- Testing new features to understand first impressions.
- Exploring pain points or areas of confusion in navigation or workflows.
Examples:
- “What do you think of the navigation?”
- “How did you feel about the process of setting up an account?”
- “What do you think could be improved in this feature?”
- “What stood out to you most about this page?”
- “What did you find most frustrating about completing this task?”
Closed-ended questions
Closed-ended questions offer participants predefined responses, such as yes/no answers, multiple-choice options, or rating scales. These questions are easier to analyze and compare across users, providing structured data for evaluation.
When and why to use them:
- Best for measuring specific elements, such as satisfaction or ease of use, and for benchmarking.
- Use closed-ended questions when you need quantifiable results or are testing hypotheses.
Common use cases:
- Validating assumptions about user preferences or behaviors.
- Comparing the usability of different versions of a feature.
Examples:
6. “On a scale of 1 to 5, how easy was it to find the navigation menu?”
7. “Did you find the onboarding process helpful? (Yes/No)”
8. “How likely are you to recommend this feature to a friend? (1-10)”
9. “Which of these options would you prefer for filtering results? (A/B/C)”
10. “How often would you use this feature? (Daily/Weekly/Never)”
Moderated questions
Moderated is one of types of usability testing where questions are asked during live user testing sessions, with a facilitator interacting with participants in real time. This allows the facilitator to probe deeper into user responses, ask follow-up questions, and clarify uncertainties.
When and why to use them:
- Use moderated questions when exploring new designs or features where unexpected user behavior might occur.
- They’re great for uncovering nuanced insights and understanding the “why” behind users’ actions.
Common use cases:
- Observing how users navigate a complex workflow.
- Investigating UX issues or confusion around specific design elements.
Examples:
11. “Can you explain why you chose that option?”
12. “What did you expect to happen when you clicked here?”
13. “Could you describe what you found challenging about this step?”
14. “How does this process compare to what you’ve used before?”
15. “What would you do next if you couldn’t find this option?”
Unmoderated questions
Unmoderated usability testing require pre-written questions, answered independently by participants, for example beta testers, usually in an online testing platform. These questions provide unbiased feedback since users aren’t influenced by a facilitator’s presence.
When and why to use them:
- Use unmoderated questions when you need large-scale testing that’s cost-effective and doesn’t require real-time interaction.
- They work well for testing established features or gathering general user impressions.
Common use cases:
- Gathering feedback on minor updates or user interface testing.
- Understanding user behaviors at scale for well-established workflows.
Examples:
16. “Try to sign up for an account and describe any difficulties you encounter.”
17. “Find the FAQ section and explain how you got there.”
18. “What, if anything, would you change about this process?”
19. “What do you like most about this page?”
20. “What part of this task, if any, was confusing?”
Funnel technique questions
The funnel technique involves asking questions in a sequence that starts broad and becomes progressively more focused. This mirrors how users naturally explore designs, helping to capture both general impressions and specific feedback.
When and why to use them:
- Use this approach to guide participants from initial exploration to detailed evaluation of key features.
- It’s especially useful for understanding the full user journey.
Common use cases:
- Testing an entire workflow, such as onboarding or checkout.
- Evaluating user reactions to a new dashboard or interface.
Examples:
21. Broad: “Can you describe your experience with [product or service] so far?”
22. Focused: “Can you elaborate on what you mean by 'difficult to use'?”
23. Specific: “On a scale of 1 to 5, how easy was it to complete [specific task]?”
24. Broad: “What stands out most on this page?”
25. Focused: “Can you tell me more about why [specific feature] didn’t meet your expectations?”
Questions for different phases of usability testing
When deciding which questions to ask during usability testing, it helps to consider the specific phase of the testing process. Each phase — before, during, and after the test — has its own goals, and aligning your questions with these goals ensures you gather the right insights at the right time.
Let’s break down how to craft effective usability interview questions for each phase.
Pre-test questions
Pre-test questions are used to screen participants, understand their backgrounds, and establish context before the test begins. These questions help ensure your participants represent your target audience and are in the right mindset for testing.
When and why to use them:
- Use pre-test questions to gather baseline information about users’ experiences and preferences.
- They’re critical for filtering out participants who don’t match your target audience.
Common use cases:
- Screener questions to find qualified participants.
- Demographic and background questions.
- Identifying users’ familiarity with similar tools.
- Understanding device preferences or usage habits.
Examples:
- Screener questions to find qualified participants:
26. “Do you use tools like [specific tool type] regularly?”
27. “Have you used a similar app for managing [specific activity]?”
28. “How often do you perform tasks related to [specific feature or workflow]?”
29. “Would you consider yourself a beginner, intermediate, or advanced user of [tool category]?”
- Demographic and background questions:
30. “What is your role or profession?”
31. “What type of tasks do you perform most frequently at work?”
32. “Have you used [specific type of app or tool] before? If so, which ones?”
33. “What devices do you use most often for [specific activity]?”
- Identifying users’ familiarity with similar tools:
34. “Have you tried using [competing app] before?”
35. “What do you typically look for in [specific tool type]?”
- Understanding device preferences or usage habits:
36. “Do you prefer using mobile, tablet, or desktop for this type of task?”
37. “What operating system do you typically use?”
During-test questions
During-test questions focus on observing how users interact with your product or prototype. These questions are designed to prompt feedback in real time and help uncover usability issues as they occur.
When and why to use them:
- Use during-test questions to identify pain points, assess task completion, and understand user expectations.
- They’re ideal for gathering detailed feedback on specific tasks or design elements.
Common use cases:
- Exploring how users navigate workflows.
- Evaluating ease of use for key features.
- Prompting users during tasks.
Examples:
38. “What’s your first impression of this screen?”
39. “What do you think this feature is supposed to do?”
40. “How did you decide which option to select?”
41. “What was the easiest part of this task?”
42. “What, if anything, felt confusing or difficult during this process?”
43. “Can you describe what you expected to happen here?”
44. “What would you do next if you couldn’t find this option?”
45. “What feedback would you give about this layout?”
Tips for avoiding leading or biased questions
The tricky thing about during-test questions is how easy it is to unintentionally lead users or skew their responses. It’s frustrating to realize your phrasing might have shaped the feedback. That’s why I want to share some simple tips to help you avoid those pitfalls and get honest, useful insights:
- Focus on “what” or “how” instead of “why”:some text
- Replace: “Why did you find this confusing?”
- With: “What about this process felt unclear to you?”
This avoids assuming confusion and allows users to frame their own experiences.
- Avoid assumptions in your phrasing:some text
- Replace: “Did you enjoy using this feature?”
- With: “What are your thoughts on using this feature?”
The first question assumes enjoyment, potentially influencing the user’s response.
- Be specific rather than general:some text
- Replace: “Was this helpful?”
- With: “What did you find helpful about this task, if anything?”
General questions can lead to vague or uninformative answers.
- Use neutral language:
Avoid words like “intuitive” or “easy” in your questions, as they can influence responses. Instead, let the user describe their experience in their own terms.
- Test your questions beforehand:
Run your test script with a colleague or friend to identify any potential biases in your phrasing.
Post-test questions
Post-test questions are reflective prompts given after the testing session. These questions encourage users to summarize their experiences, highlight areas for improvement, and share overall impressions.
When and why to use them:
- Use post-test questions to gather final thoughts and measure satisfaction.
- They’re excellent for identifying overarching themes and validating insights from earlier phases.
Common use cases:
- Understanding users’ overall impressions of the product.
- Capturing feedback on their perceived value of features.
Examples:
46. “What did you like most about this experience?”
47. “What, if anything, would you change about this product?”
48. “How satisfied are you with the process overall? (1-5)”
49. “Which part of the product was the most useful to you?”
50. “Did you encounter anything unexpected during the test?”
51. “Would you recommend this product to someone else? Why or why not?”
52. “What improvements would make this tool easier to use?”
53. “How does this tool compare to others you’ve used in the past?”
By asking thoughtful, unbiased questions during testing, you can uncover authentic insights that lead to better design decisions. With the right approach, you’ll move beyond surface-level feedback to truly understand what works—and what doesn’t — for your users.
But even with the best intentions, it’s easy to fall into some common traps when crafting usability study questions. Let’s look at the mistakes to avoid so you can make your tests even more effective.
Common mistakes when writing user test questions
Even the most experienced designers and researchers can fall into common traps when writing user experience testing questions. These mistakes can lead to biased feedback, missed insights, or results that don’t align with your goals. Let’s explore some of the most frequent pitfalls and how to avoid them.
1. Asking leading questions
What’s the problem?
Leading questions push participants toward a specific answer, often without them realizing it. This can distort your feedback and prevent you from identifying real issues.
Example:
- Bad: “How much do you like this new feature?”
- Better: “What are your thoughts on this feature?”
How to avoid it:
- Phrase questions neutrally, avoiding words like “like,” “easy,” or “intuitive.”
- Let users share their honest reactions without suggesting what they should feel.
2. Combining multiple ideas in one question
What’s the problem?
Double-barreled questions ask about more than one thing at a time, making it impossible to know which part of the question the user’s feedback refers to.
Example:
- Bad: “Was the navigation clear and the layout visually appealing?”
- Better:some text
- “How clear was the navigation?”
- “What did you think of the layout?”
How to avoid it:
- Break down complex questions into smaller, focused ones.
- Address one concept per question to keep feedback actionable.
3. Using vague or abstract language
What’s the problem?
Questions that rely on jargon or unclear terms confuse participants and lead to unhelpful responses.
Example:
- Bad: “Does the CTA align with your expectations of task initiation?”
- Better: “What do you think will happen when you click this button?”
How to avoid it:
- Use simple, user-friendly language that participants can easily understand.
- Test your questions beforehand to ensure clarity.
4. Failing to connect questions to your test goals
What’s the problem?
Questions that don’t align with your objectives waste time and fail to produce useful insights.
Example:
- Bad: “Do you like the color scheme of the app?” (if your goal is to test navigation)
- Better: “How easy was it to find the settings menu?”
How to avoid it:
- Review your test goals before crafting questions to ensure alignment.
- Focus on questions that help solve the specific design challenges you’re addressing.
5. Ignoring your audience’s background
What’s the problem?
Questions that don’t match participants’ familiarity with the product can lead to irrelevant or superficial feedback.
Example:
- For beginners: “What do you think this app does?”
- For advanced users: “How does this tool compare to others you’ve used before?”
How to avoid it:
- Tailor your questions based on the user’s experience level and context.
- Consider adding screener questions during recruitment to gauge participants’ familiarity.
Avoiding mistakes = better insights. By steering clear of these common mistakes, you’ll create more effective usability tests that uncover authentic, actionable insights. Now that we’ve covered the pitfalls, let’s explore how templates and tools can make your testing process even smoother.
Templates and tools for better usability testing
Once you’ve crafted thoughtful and unbiased usability testing survey, the next useful skill to learn is to streamline your process. Using templates and usability testing tools can save time, ensure consistency, and help you focus on analyzing the results instead of reinventing the wheel. Here are some resources to elevate your usability testing game.
1. Ready-to-use templates
Templates can simplify your UX research plan and ensure you don’t miss any critical steps. Here are some examples with links:
- Question bank templates (pre-written user testing questions examples for different purposes and phases)
- Usability test plan templates (organized outlines for structuring your test, including objectives, tasks, and questions)
- Usability testing templates by Maze
- Usability Testing Script
- Usability Test Plan Toolkit by Userfocus (requires email to download)
- Asana usability testing plan template
- ClickUp usability testing plan
- Usability testing by Miro
- Usability testing checklist by Dscout (requires email to download)
- Process Street usability testing template
2. Essential usability testing tools
The right UX research tools can make conducting tests more efficient and effective. Here are some top picks for usability testing:
- Maze
- Ideal for remote, unmoderated usability testing.
- Features include pre-built templates, task completion tracking, and reporting dashboards.
- UserTesting
- Great for recruiting participants and conducting moderated or unmoderated tests.
- Provides access to a large participant pool and video recordings of sessions.
- Optimal Workshop
- Focuses on navigation and information architecture testing.
- Tools include tree testing, card sorting, and first-click analysis.
- Lookback
- Perfect for live, moderated usability testing with real-time note-taking.
- Offers screen and voice recording capabilities for detailed analysis.
- Hotjar
- Best for heatmaps and session recordings to observe user behavior passively.
- Can complement usability tests by showing how users interact with your design over time.
3. Tips for using templates and tools effectively
- Customize for your needs: While templates are a great starting point, tweak them to align with your test goals and audience.
- Don’t over-rely on tools: Tools are helpful but shouldn’t replace human insight. Use them to collect data, but interpret the results thoughtfully.
- Combine methods: Pair tools like Hotjar with direct usability tests to gain both quantitative and qualitative insights.
With the right templates and tools, you can focus on what matters most — understanding your users. If you prefer video format, check out our beginner’s guide to UX research process for more insights.
From questions to insights: Your next steps
Throughout this guide, we’ve explored the different types of questions, how to align them with testing phases, and common mistakes to avoid. We’ve also highlighted tools and templates to streamline your testing process, making it easier to uncover actionable insights no matter if its live session or a remote usability test.
Now, it’s your turn to put these strategies into action. Start by refining your question-writing process, avoiding biases, and tailoring your approach to your audience. Use the templates and tools we shared to save time and stay organized. Most importantly, remember that great questions lead to great designs — every insight you gather is a step closer to a better user experience.
And if you need help in conducting professional UX research that drives real, actionable changes, Eleken is here to help. Get in touch for a free consultation.
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