Usability testing questions template

What is this template?

This usability testing questions template is a comprehensive Notion database containing 60+ professionally crafted questions, 4 complete testing scripts, and proven frameworks to help you run effective usability tests without starting from scratch.

Whether you're testing a website, mobile app, or software prototype, this template gives you everything you need to conduct professional usability tests that uncover real usability problems, not just surface-level feedback.

What makes it different from other question lists:

Unlike generic question lists you find online, this template is organized by testing stage (screening, pre-test, in-test, post-test), includes complete word-for-word scripts you can use immediately, and teaches you how to avoid the most common usability testing mistakes that compromise results.

The template works for both moderated and unmoderated tests, remote or in-person sessions, and includes guidance for different participant experience levels.

Built for real-world use:

Every question includes context on when to use it, what insights it uncovers, and common pitfalls to avoid. The testing scripts include professional introduction language, informed consent wording, task instructions, timing recommendations, and closing statements, everything you need to run a complete testing session.

What you'll get

📋 60+ pre-written usability testing questions
Stop starting from scratch every time you run a usability test. Get professionally crafted questions organized by testing stage (screening, pre-test, in-test, post-test), question type (task-based, behavioral, satisfaction, probing), and test format (moderated vs. unmoderated). Each question includes context on when to use it, what insights it uncovers, and common pitfalls to avoid.

🎯 4 ready-to-use testing scripts
Complete scripts you can use immediately in your next usability test:

• Screening script (15 min) - Recruit the right participants who match your target audience
• Pre-test script (10 min) - Gather background, demographics, and experience levels
• In-test script (30-45 min) - Guide participants through tasks while gathering insights
• Post-test script (10 min) - Collect overall feedback, satisfaction ratings, and final thoughts

Each script includes introduction language, informed consent wording, task instructions, timing recommendations, transition phrases, and professional closing statements.

💡 Task writing frameworks
Learn how to write clear, unbiased usability tasks that get you real insights, not just confirmation bias:

• The scenario-based task framework (realistic context that mirrors real-world use)
• The goal-based task framework (what to accomplish without revealing how)
• The open exploration framework (free navigation to discover organic behavior)
• The comparison task framework (A/B testing different design approaches)
• Common task writing mistakes (and how to fix them before testing)

📝 Think-aloud protocol guide
Master the think-aloud method with specific prompts and proven techniques:

• How to encourage participants to verbalize their thoughts naturally
• What to listen for during testing sessions (decision points, confusion, delight)
• When to probe deeper vs. when to stay silent and observe
• Common think-aloud challenges and practical solutions
• Prompts that work for different participant personalities

✅ Testing stage checklists
Never miss a critical step again with complete checklists for each phase:

• Pre-test checklist (equipment setup, participant confirmation, script review)
• In-test checklist (recording protocols, note-taking guidelines, moderator dos/don'ts)
• Post-test checklist (data backup, participant thank you, immediate debrief)
• Know exactly what to do before, during, and after every usability test

❌ Common mistakes guide
Learn what NOT to do with real examples of testing mistakes that compromise results:

• Leading questions that bias participants ("Don't you think this is confusing?")
• Biased language that suggests desired answers ("How much did you love this feature?")
• Testing mistakes that invalidate results (helping participants, explaining the design)
• See the bad example, understand why it's bad, and learn how to fix it properly

📊 Standardized scales & metrics
Pre-built rating scales and questionnaires used by top research teams:

• System usability scale (SUS) - Industry-standard 10-question usability assessment
• Single ease question (SEQ) - Quick task difficulty measurement
• Task completion ratings - Success, partial success, or failure tracking
• Satisfaction scales - Likert scales for experience measurement
• Confidence ratings - How certain participants feel about their actions

🗂️ Searchable question database (Notion)
Browse and filter all 60+ questions instantly by multiple criteria:

• Testing stage (screening, pre-test, in-test, post-test)
• Question type (task-based, behavioral, satisfaction, probing)
• Test format (moderated vs. unmoderated)
• Participant experience level (novice, intermediate, expert)
• Quickly find the perfect questions for any usability test scenario in seconds

🎓 Bonus resources included

• Recommended reading list (top books and articles on usability testing)
• Video tutorials on conducting effective usability tests
• Links to additional UX research templates (interview guides, survey templates)
• Access to our UX research community for questions and peer support

💾 Multiple formats available

• Notion template (fully interactive database with filters and views)
• Google Docs version (for teams not using Notion)
• PDF cheat sheet (printable quick reference for testing sessions)
• Editable in any tool you prefer (copy to Airtable, Coda, Excel, etc.)

Why most usability tests fail to uncover real issues

You're spending hours preparing usability tests, carefully recruiting participants, and running testing sessions. But your questions either lead participants toward the answers you want to hear, or they're so vague that you don't learn anything actionable about your design's usability problems.

The result? You make design decisions based on biased feedback, miss critical usability issues, and ship products that still confuse users.

You need usability testing questions that:

✓ Are organized by testing stage so you ask the right questions at the right time
✓ Avoid bias and leading language that skews participant responses
✓ Get participants thinking aloud naturally without feeling interrogated
✓ Work for both moderated and unmoderated test formats
✓ Actually uncover usability problems, not just surface-level feedback
✓ Follow industry best practices from companies like Nielsen Norman Group

Most usability testing guides give you generic questions like "Was this easy to use?" without explaining why that's a terrible question (it's leading and vague) or how to ask better ones that reveal actual usability issues.

That's exactly why we created this template.

What makes this template different

Organized by testing stage, not just thrown together

1. Screening stage questions
Asked before the test begins to recruit participants who match your target audience. Find people with the right demographics, behaviors, and experience levels without accidentally revealing what you're testing or biasing their responses.

2. Pre-test questions
Gather essential background information and set proper context. Understand their experience level, current tools they use, and relevant behaviors before they interact with your design.

3. In-test questions
Asked during tasks to understand real-time thought processes. Probe deeper into decisions and behaviors without interrupting their natural flow or influencing what they do next.

4. Post-test questions
Collect overall impressions and satisfaction after they've experienced everything. Understand the complete experience, gather comparative feedback, and measure usability with standardized scales.

Includes both questions AND complete testing scripts

Most templates just give you a list of questions with no context. This template includes complete, ready-to-use scripts for each testing stage with:

• Professional introduction language
• Informed consent wording
• Clear task instructions
• Natural transition phrases
• Timing recommendations
• Moderator guidelines
• Professional closing statements

You can literally copy-paste these scripts and run a professional usability test today.

Works for both moderated and unmoderated tests

Each question includes guidance for:

• Moderated tests (when to ask, how to probe, when to stay silent)
• Unmoderated tests (how to phrase for self-guided completion, answer format recommendations)
• Remote vs. in-person considerations

Teaches you HOW to write better questions

Beyond just providing questions, this template teaches you the principles of effective usability testing so you can write your own questions:

• Why open-ended questions get better insights
• How to avoid leading language and bias
• When to use rating scales vs. open responses
• How to phrase tasks without revealing solutions
• What makes a good vs. bad usability question

How to use this template

Step 1: Choose your testing stage
Are you screening participants, running pre-test questions, conducting the actual test, or gathering post-test feedback? Select the appropriate script template.

Step 2: Customize questions for your project
Browse the question database and select 8-15 questions that fit your specific usability testing goals. We provide recommendations based on common scenarios.

Step 3: Add your specific tasks
Use our task writing frameworks to create clear, unbiased tasks that participants will complete during testing.

Step 4: Run your usability test
Use the script during your test session. Take notes directly in Notion or export to your preferred tool.

Step 5: Analyze with our frameworks
Use our post-test analysis guide to organize findings, identify patterns, and communicate insights to your team.

Works with: Notion (our template), Google Docs, UserTesting, Maze, Lookback, or any usability testing tool you prefer.

Real examples from the template

Example 1: Screening question (avoiding bias)

Bad: "Do you use project management software daily?"
Why it's bad: Yes/no question reveals what you're looking for. Participants can game the screener.

Good: "Which of the following best describes how often you use collaboration or productivity software? (a) Daily (b) Weekly (c) Monthly (d) Rarely (e) Never"
Why it works: Multiple choice hides your target answer. Includes broader category than specific tool type.

Example 2: In-test question (think-aloud prompting)

Bad: "Do you understand this page?"
Why it's bad: Yes/no question. Doesn't reveal what they actually understand or misunderstand.

Good: "What is this page trying to communicate to you?"
Why it works: Open-ended. Reveals their mental model and understanding without judgment.

Example 3: Post-test question (avoiding leading language)

Bad: "How much did you love the new checkout flow?"
Why it's bad: Assumes they loved it. Word "love" is leading. Biases toward positive response.

Good: "How would you describe your experience with the checkout process?"
Why it works: Neutral language. Open-ended. Allows for positive, negative, or mixed feedback.

Example 4: Task instruction (goal-based, not solution-based)

Bad: "Click on the 'Contact Us' button in the footer."
Why it's bad: Tells them exactly where to click. Tests reading ability, not usability.

Good: "You have a question about your recent order. How would you get help?"
Why it works: Sets realistic context. Doesn't reveal location. Tests whether they can find support naturally.

Common usability testing mistakes

Mistake #1: Asking yes/no questions during testing

What it looks like:

• "Do you understand this?"
• "Is this clear?"
• "Would you use this feature?"

Why it's a problem:
You get one-word answers with zero context. Participants often say "yes" just to be polite or to move forward, even when they're actually confused.

How to fix it:
Use open-ended questions that require explanation:

• "What do you think this does?"
• "How would you describe this to a colleague?"
• "Walk me through how you would use this."

Mistake #2: Leading participants to your preferred answer

What it looks like:

• "Don't you think this design is intuitive?"
• "How much easier is this than the old version?"
• "What did you love most about this feature?"

Why it's a problem:
You're telling participants what answer you want. They'll often agree to be polite, giving you false positive feedback about your design.

How to fix it:
Remove your opinion from every question:

• "How would you describe this design?"
• "How does this compare to what you used before?"
• "What stood out to you about this feature?"

Mistake #3: Helping participants when they struggle

What it looks like:

• "Oh, try clicking over there"
• "That button does X, now try again"
• "Let me show you how this works"

Why it's a problem:
User struggling = valuable data about usability problems. When you help them, you eliminate the exact insights you need to improve the design.

How to fix it:
Let them struggle. Stay silent. If they ask for help:

• "What would you try next if I wasn't here?"
• "Do whatever feels natural to you"
• Only intervene if they're completely stuck for 2+ minutes

Mistake #4: Explaining how features work before testing

What it looks like:

• Giving a product demo before the usability test
• Explaining navigation structure upfront
• Teaching them features before they try

Why it's a problem:
Real users won't get a tutorial. Testing "trained" participants doesn't reveal if your design is actually intuitive to first-time users.

How to fix it:
Give minimal context:

• Set the scenario: "You want to accomplish [goal]"
• Don't explain: how to accomplish it
• Let discovery happen naturally during the test

Mistake #5: Testing with the wrong participants

What it looks like:

• Testing enterprise software with college students
• Testing a mobile app with desktop-only users
• Testing with colleagues who already know the product

Why it's a problem:
You get feedback from people who don't represent your actual users. Results don't reflect real-world usability for your target audience.

How to fix it:
Use screening questions to recruit participants who:

• Match your target demographic
• Have relevant experience level
• Use similar products currently
• Represent actual use cases

What UX researchers are saying

"This template cut my usability test prep time from 3 hours to 30 minutes. The question database is incredibly well-organized."
— Sarah Chen, Senior UX Researcher at Fintech Startup

"Finally, usability testing questions that don't lead participants. The examples of good vs. bad questions taught me so much."
— Marcus Rodriguez, Product Designer

"I'm new to UX research and this template gave me the confidence to run my first usability test. The scripts are gold."
— Jennifer Park, Junior UX Designer

"We standardized our entire team's usability testing process with this template. Everyone now asks consistent, unbiased questions."
— David Kim, Head of UX Research

Frequently asked questions

Q: What format is the template?
A: It's a Notion template you can duplicate to your workspace. Works with free Notion accounts. We also include Google Docs and PDF versions.

Q: Can I customize the questions?
A: Absolutely! The template is fully editable. Add your own questions, remove ones you don't need, reorganize sections. It's your template.

Q: Do I need Notion?
A: No. While it's built for Notion (because of the powerful database features), you can copy everything to Google Docs, Excel, Airtable, or any tool you prefer.

Q: Does this work for unmoderated tests?
A: Yes! Each question includes guidance for both moderated and unmoderated formats. We note which questions work best for each format.

Q: Is this really free?
A: Yes, completely free. No credit card required, no hidden costs. We create free resources to help the UX community.

Q: Can I share this with my team?
A: Yes! Share the template with your team, colleagues, students, or anyone who would benefit from better usability testing.

Q: What if I'm completely new to usability testing?
A: Perfect! The template includes explanations for when to use each question, what insights to look for, and common mistakes to avoid. It's designed for beginners.

Q: How is this different from other usability testing guides?
A: Most guides just list questions with no context. This template includes complete scripts, task frameworks, think-aloud guides, mistake examples, and an interactive database to find the right questions fast.

Q: Do you include System Usability Scale (SUS)?
A: Yes! We include the standard SUS questionnaire, Single Ease Question (SEQ), and other validated usability metrics with scoring instructions.

Q: Can I use this for mobile app testing?
A: Absolutely. The questions work for websites, mobile apps, desktop software, prototypes, or any digital product you're testing.

Ready to run better usability tests?

Stop wasting time writing biased questions that lead participants or fail to uncover real usability issues.

Get our complete template with:

✓ 60+ pre-written questions organized by testing stage
✓4 ready-to-use testing scripts you can use today
✓ Task writing frameworks for clear, unbiased tasks
✓ Think-aloud protocol guide with specific prompts
✓ Standardized scales (SUS, SEQ, satisfaction ratings)
✓ Common mistakes guide with before/after examples
✓ Interactive Notion database to find questions fast

Free. Forever. No credit card required.

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What you'll be able to do after using this template

✓ Run professional usability tests without a research background
✓ Ask unbiased questions that reveal actual usability problems
✓ Get participants thinking aloud naturally during testing
✓ Measure usability with industry-standard scales (SUS, SEQ)
✓ Recruit the right participants using proper screening questions
✓ Write clear tasks that don't reveal solutions to participants
✓ Standardize testing across your entire team or organization
✓ Save 2-3 hours of prep time for every usability test you run

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