A written quiz is a short-answer or multiple-choice test that measures subject-specific knowledge. Used the right way, it helps you see how someone thinks, what they truly know (not just what they claim), and where their understanding breaks down.
What a Written Quiz Is Actually Good For
A written quiz can reveal:
- Baseline competence: do they know the fundamentals without help?
- Depth vs memorization: can they apply knowledge, or only recite it?
- Judgment under constraints: can they pick the best option when choices are close?
- Clarity of thought: can they explain a concept in plain language?
- Consistency: do their answers match each other across questions?
The goal is not to “trap” people. The goal is to measure readiness, reliability, and real understanding.
Step 1: Decide What You’re Testing
Before writing questions, define your “skills map.” A simple structure:
- Core facts (terminology, definitions, basics)
- Process knowledge (steps, order of operations, how-to)
- Application (scenario questions, troubleshooting)
- Judgment (tradeoffs, prioritization, risk awareness)
- Communication (short explanations, writing quality)
If you skip this step, you end up with a quiz that only tests trivia.
Step 2: Pick the Quiz Format
Use a blend if you want a strong read.
Multiple-choice (MCQ)
Best for: fast scoring, broad coverage, consistent grading.
Risk: guessing, memorization-only answers.
Short-answer
Best for: depth, reasoning, ability to explain.
Risk: slower scoring, subjective grading if you do not use a rubric.
Scenario-based “best next step”
Best for: job readiness and judgment.
Risk: must be written clearly to avoid ambiguity.
Step 3: Build a Good Question Set
A strong 10–20 question quiz usually looks like:
- 40% fundamentals
- 40% application
- 20% judgment and edge cases
Difficulty balance rule
- 60% should be “expected knowledge”
- 30% should be “solid intermediate”
- 10% should be “expert or trick edge cases” (only if the role needs it)
Step 4: Example Quiz You Can Reuse
Below is a plug-and-play example for a workplace topic: Customer Service and Sales Knowledge. You can swap the topic to anything (diesel engines, safety, accounting, logistics, etc.) and keep the structure.
Section A: Multiple Choice (10 questions, 2 points each = 20 points)
1) A customer says, “I need the cheapest option.” What’s the best response?
A. “We only sell premium.”
B. “Cheap is usually bad, but okay.”
C. “What matters most: upfront cost, reliability, or warranty?”
D. “Here’s the cheapest one.”
Best answer: C
What it means: They can qualify needs instead of obeying the first demand.
2) Which is the best definition of “value proposition”?
A. A discount amount
B. A clear reason the customer benefits from choosing you
C. Your company slogan
D. A list of features
Best answer: B
What it means: They understand selling is about outcomes, not lists.
3) A customer is upset about a delay. What is the best first step?
A. Explain why it happened
B. Offer a refund immediately
C. Acknowledge the frustration and confirm details
D. Tell them delays happen
Best answer: C
What it means: Emotional de-escalation and control of the conversation.
4) If you promise something you are not sure you can deliver, what is the likely result?
A. Higher sales
B. Short-term wins, long-term reputation damage
C. No effect
D. Customers will understand
Best answer: B
What it means: They understand trust is a business asset.
5) The strongest close is usually:
A. “So, are you buying?”
B. “Let me know.”
C. “Based on what you said matters most, this option fits because ____. Want me to send the paperwork or hold it?”
D. “I can do a deal today only.”
Best answer: C
What it means: Consultative close, not pressure close.
6) A good follow-up message should include:
A. Only “checking in”
B. A new piece of value plus a clear next step
C. A discount every time
D. A long explanation
Best answer: B
What it means: They can follow up without sounding needy.
7) “Objection” usually means:
A. They hate the product
B. They need more information or reassurance
C. They are wasting time
D. They want a discount
Best answer: B
What it means: Mature sales psychology.
8) When a customer asks a technical question you do not know:
A. Guess confidently
B. Change the subject
C. Say you will confirm and give a timeline
D. Tell them it does not matter
Best answer: C
What it means: Integrity and process.
9) The difference between a feature and a benefit is:
A. No difference
B. Feature is what it is; benefit is what it does for the customer
C. Benefit is the price
D. Feature is the warranty
Best answer: B
What it means: Selling fundamentals.
10) The best way to prevent misunderstandings is:
A. Assume they understood
B. Speak faster
C. Summarize agreements in writing
D. Avoid details
Best answer: C
What it means: Operational discipline.
Section B: Short Answer (5 questions, 4 points each = 20 points)
11) Write a 2–3 sentence reply to a customer who says: “Your price is higher than the other guy.”
Strong answer example:
“Totally fair question. Before we compare price, what matters most to you: lowest upfront cost, fewer issues, or the warranty and support? If you want, tell me what quote you got and I will explain the real differences so you can choose the better value.”
What it means: They reframe price into value, and ask for specifics.
12) In plain language, explain what “qualifying questions” are and give two examples.
Strong answer example:
“Qualifying questions confirm fit and priorities before pitching. Examples: ‘What are you using it for daily?’ and ‘What is your timeline and budget range?’”
What it means: They know how to avoid mismatched recommendations.
13) A customer is angry. What are 3 steps you take, in order?
Strong answer example:
“Acknowledge and apologize for the experience, confirm details, give a specific next step and timeline.”
What it means: Process under pressure.
14) Give one example of a time you would say “no” to a customer request. Why?
Strong answer example:
“If they want me to promise a delivery date I cannot confirm, I say no because it creates a future failure and breaks trust.”
What it means: Integrity and long-term thinking.
15) What is one metric you would track weekly to know if you are improving? Why that metric?
Strong answer example:
“Follow-up-to-response rate, because it shows whether my outreach is relevant and whether my pipeline quality is improving.”
What it means: They think like an operator, not just a talker.
Step 5: Scoring System That Actually Works
Simple scoring (0–40 points total)
- MCQ: 10 questions × 2 points = 20
- Short answer: 5 questions × 4 points = 20
Short-answer rubric (4-point scale)
- 4: clear, correct, includes reasoning or a strong example
- 3: correct but missing depth or structure
- 2: partially correct, vague, or incomplete
- 1: mostly incorrect but shows a relevant idea
- 0: incorrect or blank
Interpreting scores
- 36–40: ready now (strong knowledge and judgment)
- 30–35: capable, minor gaps (trainable)
- 22–29: inconsistent (needs supervision and structured training)
- 0–21: not ready (too many missing fundamentals)
Step 6: “Testing” Without Making It Toxic
If you want honest results:
- Tell them the quiz measures readiness, not worth.
- Time box it (10–20 minutes) so it tests recall and clarity.
- Randomize question order if comparing multiple people.
- Avoid ambiguous questions and avoid “gotchas” unless the job needs it.
- Review results with them: the review is where learning and truth happens.
Step 7: What Answers Mean Beyond Right vs Wrong
A written quiz is also a pattern detector.
- High MCQ, low short-answer: memorization, weak reasoning, weak communication
- Low MCQ, strong short-answer: practical thinker, but may have knowledge gaps
- Consistent medium across both: stable, trainable, reliable
- Strong fundamentals, weak judgment: needs experience and constraints training
Make This Fit Your Exact Topic
If you tell me the subject you want to test (examples: semi-truck sales, diesel basics, truck washing procedures, safety, finance, marketing, customer service), I’ll rewrite the quiz for that topic with an answer key and a scoring rubric that matches what “good” looks like in that field.
