Card sorting, A/B and accessibility testing
Which testing technique answers which question: card sorting and tree testing for information architecture, A/B and multivariate tests for live variants, usability benchmarks for before-and-after proof, and accessibility testing that pairs automated tools with keyboard and screen reader checks.
Describe testing techniques needed for optimal user experiences.
~7 min read · 12 practice questions ·
What the exam expects
- Choose card sorting to generate categories and tree testing to evaluate an existing hierarchy.
- Use an A/B test that changes one thing to attribute a result, and know what a multivariate test adds.
- Set a usability benchmark before a redesign so improvement can be proven.
- Plan accessibility testing: automated tools and their limits, keyboard testing first, then multiple screen readers; know what each pass checks.
- Keep facilitator bias out of test sessions.
Key terms: card sorting (participants group items into categories); tree test (finding items in a text-only hierarchy); A/B test (two versions to two audiences, compared on a metric); usability benchmark (the same tasks and metrics measured before and after a change); manual accessibility testing (keyboard and screen reader passes that simulate a disabled user's journey).
Key facts
- Detail
- Groups things into categories, such as navigation items
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- Two versions to two test audiences; winner by open or click-through rate
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- More than one difference hides what made the winner effective
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- Time to complete a task; number of errors
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- Passing is no guarantee of full accessibility
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- Icons and indicators; facilitates human evaluation
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- Keyboard testing before screen reader testing
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- Interactive elements only
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- Trapped while open; returns to the correct place on close
Sources for this section (6)
- Define Your Research Plantrailhead.salesforce.com (opens in a new tab)
- A/B Testing in Email Studiohelp.salesforce.com (opens in a new tab)
- Considerations for Using A/B Testinghelp.salesforce.com (opens in a new tab)
- Craft Your Questionstrailhead.salesforce.com (opens in a new tab)
- Learn Accessibility Testing Basicstrailhead.salesforce.com (opens in a new tab)
- Test for Accessibilitytrailhead.salesforce.com (opens in a new tab)
- When is card sorting the right technique?
- Why must an A/B test change only one thing?
- Why test keyboard navigation before using a screen reader?
- Which tool marks up the rendered page with icons for human review?
The questions are free to read. Answers with their sources and self-grading are included with the pack.
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