25 Knowledge Survey Questions Examples for Effective Testing

True/False (Binary) Knowledge Checks

What It Is: Questions requiring a yes/no or true/false response to assess discrete facts.

Why & When to Use: Suitable for quick assessments during micro-learning sessions, reducing cognitive load, and effective in mobile-first quizzes.

Sample Questions:

1. True or False: IPv6 uses 128-bit addresses.
2. True or False: The capital of Australia is Sydney.
3. True or False: Water boils at 100°C at sea level.
4. True or False: The Earth is the fourth planet from the Sun.
5. True or False: Shakespeare wrote "Pride and Prejudice."

Tips:

• Risk of Guessing Bias: With only two options, there's a 50% chance of guessing correctly. To mitigate this, include more than 10 items to balance the probability.

True-false tests can enhance long-term retention of studied information compared to rereading, especially when students evaluate both true and false statements. (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)

Likert-Scale Self-Assessment Knowledge Surveys

What It Is: Respondents rate their perceived mastery on a scale (e.g., 1 = "Not at all confident" to 5 = "Expert").

Why & When to Use: Effective for identifying perception gaps before and after training, blending subjective assessments with objective tests, and fostering metacognition.

Sample Questions:

1. How confident are you in configuring a pivot table in Excel?
2. How well do you understand the principles of object-oriented programming?
3. How comfortable are you with conducting a SWOT analysis?
4. How proficient are you in using advanced Excel functions?
5. How confident are you in your ability to lead a team meeting?

Tips:

• Wording Neutrality: Ensure questions are phrased without bias to maintain objectivity.
• Consistent Scale Labels: Use uniform descriptors across questions to avoid confusion.

Open-Ended Knowledge Demonstrations

What It Is: Questions that require free-text responses, prompting explanations, calculations, or definitions.

Why & When to Use: Ideal for delving into complex subjects, gathering qualitative insights, and informing curriculum revisions.

Sample Questions:

1. Describe the primary function of a DNS resolver.
2. Explain the difference between RAM and ROM in computer systems.
3. What are the key steps in conducting a market analysis?
4. How would you approach troubleshooting a network connectivity issue?
5. Define the concept of cloud computing and its benefits.

Tips:

• Rubric Creation: Develop clear criteria for evaluating responses to maintain consistency.
• Automated Text-Analysis Tools: Utilize software to efficiently analyze qualitative data.

Open-ended questions in surveys elicit detailed, qualitative responses, providing deeper insights into respondents' experiences and perspectives. (indeed.com)

Scenario-Based (Situational Judgment) Knowledge Surveys

What It Is: Realistic scenarios prompting respondents to apply knowledge to choose the best course of action.

Why & When to Use: Assessing the transfer of learning, decision-making in soft skills, and understanding compliance scenarios.

Sample Questions:

1. A customer emails sensitive data. Which GDPR article governs your next step?
2. You're leading a team meeting, and a conflict arises between two members. How do you handle the situation?
3. A client requests a feature that contradicts company policy. How do you respond?
4. During a software deployment, an unexpected error occurs. What is your immediate course of action?
5. A team member consistently misses deadlines. How do you address this issue?

Tips:

• Branching Logic: Use logic to direct respondents to relevant follow-up questions based on their answers.
• Narrative Clarity: Ensure scenarios are clearly written to avoid confusion.

Ranking & Ordering Knowledge Surveys

What It Is: Respondents rank or order items in a sequence, such as steps in a process or priorities.

Why & When to Use: Testing process knowledge, prioritization skills, and understanding of chronological events.

Sample Questions:

1. Rank the software development lifecycle phases from first to last.
2. Order the steps of the scientific method in the correct sequence.
3. Arrange the stages of team development from forming to adjourning.
4. Prioritize the following tasks based on their importance in project management.
5. Sequence the events leading up to the American Revolution.

Tips:

• Ambiguity in Item Labels: Ensure labels are clear to prevent misinterpretation.

Checklist / Select-All-That-Apply Knowledge Surveys

What It Is: Questions where multiple correct answers are possible, and respondents select all relevant options.

Why & When to Use: Gauging the breadth of knowledge, identifying partial understanding, and reducing the likelihood of correct answers by chance.

Sample Questions:

1. Select all ports commonly used for secure email protocols.
2. Which of the following are primary colors?
3. Identify all the planets in our solar system.
4. Which of these are renewable energy sources?
5. Select all the elements that are noble gases.

Tips:

• Disclose Number of Correct Answers: Only if pedagogically justified, inform respondents how many correct answers to expect.

Best Practices – Dos and Don’ts for High-Impact Knowledge Survey Questions

Dos:

• Align Questions with Learning Objectives: Ensure each question ties back to the desired outcomes.
• Pilot Test: Conduct trials to identify and rectify issues before full deployment.
• Balance Difficulty: Mix easy and challenging questions to maintain engagement.
• Use Clear Language: Avoid jargon and complex phrasing to ensure understanding.
• Provide Feedback Loops: Offer explanations for correct and incorrect answers to enhance learning.

Don’ts:

• Write Double-Barreled Questions: Avoid asking two questions in one, which can confuse respondents.
• Use Negative Phrasing: Steer clear of questions like "Which of the following is NOT..." to prevent confusion.
• Overload Cognitive Capacity: Keep surveys concise to prevent respondent fatigue.
• Ignore Accessibility: Ensure surveys are